Combined B.S. and M.S. Degree

Program Rationale
The Department of BBMB offers a combined program that allows students to obtain two separate degrees, both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, in as few as five years. The combined degrees can be useful to students entering various career tracks. For those considering careers as research specialists, entry positions with higher-level responsiblities, and a higher-level salary, are made possible with the M.S. degree. For those considering careers as research directors, which require advanced study, the M.S. degree provides an advantage for admission into Ph.D. programs at the most competitive and prestigous graduate schools. Similarly, the M.S. degree can be a competitive advantage for admission into medical, dental, law, veterinary medicine, or other professional schools. The M.S. thesis requires intensive experience in original, independent laboratory research, which is a significant benefit in any of these career tracks.

Program Structure
The undergraduate B.S. degree can be either Biochemistry or Biophysics, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, or Agricultural Biochemistry, in the College of Agriculture. Students normally enter the combined B.S./M.S. program formally in the second semester of the junior (third) year, although planning for this track should begin earlier. To begin the application process, students should first have identified a research group for the M.S. thesis project, and have obtained the agreement and support of the faculty member who leads that group.

Application to the program is made first to the Department of BBMB and then to the Graduate College. The first step in this process is to contact the Department Chair, or our Student Liaison, Ms. Julie Sen. The application requires a description of the research area and a supporting letter from the proposed research director. Students entering this program should have taken 2-3 credits in BBMB 499, Undergraduate Research, or have been employed in a biochemistry research laboratory, or participated in a formal research internship program. Strong academic performance during the earlier years of undergraduate study also is required.

Residence at the ISU campus normally is required for three summers, those following the third, fourth, and fifth academic years of the program. After admission to the combined B.S./M.S. program, full-time thesis research normally begins during the summer semester after the junior year. The time during the fourth and fifth academic years is divided between undergraduate coursework, graduate coursework, and thesis research. Typically the summer following the fifth year is devoted to writing the Master's thesis, and both degrees are awarded at the end of that summer.

Financial support in the form of graduate research assistantships or graduate teaching assistantships is available after a student has been admitted to the combined B.S./M.S. program. Follow the appropriate link at the top of this page to see more detailed information.

Recommended Courses

Financial Support