M.S. in Applied Biological Sciences

The M.S. in Applied Biological Sciences is designed to train students who:

  • are technically proficient in the laboratory and the field
  • know well the technical literature in their field of research
  • are articulate in oral and written communication
  • understand the societal and policy implications of their work

All students are required to complete a core of graduate courses, conduct a research project under the direction of a faculty member, and prepare and defend a research thesis.

The M.S. in Applied Biological Sciences degree is supported by faculty with backgrounds in:

  • ecological restoration
  • environmental biotechnology
  • environmental policy
  • plant systematics
  • urban horticulture
  • wildlife biology

For the specific areas in which faculty are conducting research, see the Faculty Directory.

 

Program of Study

A minimum of 30 semester hours of approved graduate coursework is required. All students are required to complete two seminars:

  • ABS 591 in the spring semester
  • ABS 691 in the fall semester

All students also are expected to complete six semester hours of thesis. The remaining hours are chosen to support the student's educational objectives.

In addition, a final oral examination covering the thesis and related subject matter is required.

Note: There are no foreign language requirements and no comprehensive examinations.

Several faculty in this program also participate in offering the Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning program or the Ph.D. in Plant Biology program. See the Doctor of Philosophy program for general information on the Ph.D. degree at Arizona State University.

 

Courses Associated With This Degree

Click on each of these sample course names for more information. Visit the ASU Class Search for availability of courses.

ABS 540 Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses

  • Description: Reaction of plants to environmental stresses: aerial pollutants, fire, herbivores, floods, mechanical treatments, pesticides, and soil amendments.

ABS 550   Vegetation Dynamics

  • Description: Dynamics of vegetation linking physiological, population, and community ecology. Collection and analysis of vegetation data.

ABS 551 Advanced Environmental Analysis

  • Description: Advanced statistical procedures and experimental design for the biological sciences. Techniques for analyzing data that do not meet statistical assumptions.

ABS 553  Riparian Ecology

  • Description: Review of recent literature, developments, and methods related to riparian ecology. Applies soil and landscape ecology to riparian systems.

ABS 560 Dynamic Spatial Modeling

  • Description: Simulation modeling of landscapes, animal populations, and ecological processes in space and time. May use modeling tools on computer clusters.

ABS 570 Advanced Animal Nutrition

  • Description: Metabolic and physiological interactions of nutrients in wild and domesticated animals consuming natural feeds.

ABS 586 Remote Sensing in Environmental Resources

  • Description: Principles and application of remote sensing technologies in natural resource management using computerized data from aerial photography and satellite imagery.

ABS 591 Seminar

  • Description: A small class emphasizing discussion, presentations by students, and written research papers.

ABS 599 Thesis

  • Description: Supervised research focused on preparation of thesis, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.

ABS 691 Seminar

  • Description: A small class emphasizing discussion, presentations by students, and written research papers.

 

Application Procedure

Applicants to the program are expected to meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate College.

In addition, scores from the Graduate Record Examination  (minimum score of 1080 Verbal and Quantitative combined) or Miller Analogies Test (minimum score of 45) are required. Applicants are expected to have completed 18 semester hours in biological sciences and closely-related courses. Specific fields of study may have specific expectations regarding courses taken at the undergraduate level. Applicants not meeting these requirements may be considered for admission with deficiencies.

Separate application materials include:

  1. a statement of intent (maximum 600 words) explaining (a) the applicant's interest in environmental resources, (b) the applicant's academic background, and (c) the applicant's educational objectives;
  2. three letters of recommendation from references who are qualified to comment on the applicant's potential in the selected area of study; and
  3. a résumé.

 

Submit all of the above application materials to:

APPLICATION
Graduate College
Arizona State University
Interdisciplinary B #170
PO Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003

Please include your Document Reference Number on all materials you send to us. If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate College at (480) 727-6113. Visit the Graduate College Web site for more information.

 

Application Deadines

All application materials are due in Department of Applied Sciences Mathematics and the Graduate College on the dates listed.

  • Fall enrollment: March 15
  • Spring enrollment: October 15

 

Selection Procedures and Notifications

Department faculty evaluate the applications and supporting materials, and recommend to the Graduate College whether the applicant should be granted regular or provisional admission or if admission should be denied. If admission is provisional, the Graduate College, in its letter of admission, specifies the provisions to be met to gain regular status. The school informs successful applicants of the procedures for enrollment.