Biological Science, J.D./M.S.

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The J.D./M.S. joint degree program in biological science allows participants to obtain expertise in both fields. Depending upon whether the thesis M.S. or non-thesis M.S. is pursued, the program eliminates 16 to 19 hours of coursework (J.D. and M.S.) that would be required if the programs in law and biological science were taken separately.

The curriculum consists of coursework taken through the College of Law and through the Graduate School.

Depending upon the student’s undergraduate education, there may be prerequisite coursework in biology that must be complete before beginning the joint degree program. Please consult with the graduate advisor for biological science about possible deficiencies in undergraduate biology coursework.

Degree Requirements

Juris Doctor Requirements (78 hours)

This program requires 78 credit hours of law courses including all required courses as established by the College of Law for a J.D. Requirements may be found in the Law Bulletin.

Law Courses Applied to M.S. Biological Science (6-9 hours)

Nine hours of College of Law coursework in the area of environmental specialization are required for the non-thesis M.S. biological science option.

Six hours of College of Law coursework in the area of environmental specialization are required for the thesis M.S. biological science option.

The following law courses can be counted in the joint degree program for both the J.D. and the M.S.:

LAW 5443 Environmental Law
LAW 5723 International Environmental Law
LAW 5523 Native American Natural Resources Law
LAW 5763 Natural Resources and Environmental Law on Federal Lands
LAW 5543 Water Law

Other law courses may be acceptable for the law coursework in the biological science M.S. of the joint degree program, but prior approval of the graduate advisor for biological science is required.

Biological Science M.S. Thesis Option (24 hours)

The joint degree requirements for the Master of Science (M.S.) in biological science thesis option are identical to the traditional M.S. biological science thesis option with the following exceptions:

6 hours of graduate seminar in biological science
9 hours of coursework in biology in the area of specialization
9 hours of research/thesis coursework

In place of the other 6 hours, joint degree students must complete 6 hours of approved coursework in law at the 5000/7000 level.

Biological Science M.S. Non-Thesis Option (27 hours)

The joint degree requirements for the Master of Science (M.S.) in biological science non-thesis option are identical to the traditional M.S. biological science non-thesis option with the following exceptions:

9 hours of graduate seminar in biological science
12 hours of coursework in biology in the area of specialization
6 hours of research

In place of the other 9 hours, joint degree students must complete 9 hours of approved law coursework at the 5000/7000 level in the area of environmental specialization.