MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE BIOLOGY
Introduction
The Master of Science in Biology is a consortium program of the Federation of Institutions for Marine and
Freshwater Sciences.
Objectives
1.
To establish an independent center for the development of instruction, research and extension program in
Marine Sciences in the Visayas and Mindanao.
2.
To upgrade manpower and facilities of member institutions enabling them to offer a graduate program at
the masteral level and ultimately to aptly provide them with the capabilities to develop an internationally
recognized institution offering a Ph. D. degree program.
3.
To promote an atmosphere of cooperation and coordination among member institutions concerned with the
development of marine science.
4.
To provide a channel to share and exchange physical and human resources in areas of common interests in
marine science among member institutions.
Admission Requirements at MSU-IIT
Admission on a regular status to the M.S. in Marine Biology program requires:
1. Possession of a B.S. Marine Biology degree, or a baccalaureate degree in Biology, Zoology, Botany,
Fisheries and related fields with completion of the following courses:
Oceanology
Marine Plants/Algae
Marine Invertebrates
Marine Vertebrates
4 units
4 units
4 units
4 units
2. A grade point average of 2.5 (or its equivalent) or better in the undergraduate degree.
3. Two letters of recommendation from former instructors in undergraduate major (marine biology) courses
attesting to the students intellectual capacity for graduate studies in marine biology.
Probationary admission may be given to baccalaureate degree holders in Biology, Botany, Zoology,
Fisheries and other related fields provided that:
a. They take the four courses under no. 1 above within their first 3 semesters in the program;
b. While in the program, they obtain a grade point average of 2.0 or better in the graduate courses and
a grade point average of 2.5 or better in the required undergraduate courses;
c. They carry a full load of 10-12 units per semester in the program; and
d. Comply with the 2.5 grade point average for their undergraduate degree and submit two (2) letters
of recommendation from former instructors of their undergraduate major courses.
Degree Requirements
To qualify for the M.S. in Marine Biology degree, a student must:
a. Successfully complete a minimum of 37 units of course work specified in his program of study with a
grade point average of 2.0 or better.
b. Successfully defend orally a thesis proposal and a thesis before a panel.
c. Present his thesis in a seminar.
A. Core Courses (15 units)
Bio
Ocea
Ocea
Ocea
Stat
298
211
221
231
233
Advanced Research Methodology
Biological Oceanography
Physical Oceanography
Chemical Oceanography
Biostatistics
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
B. Cognate Courses (minimum of 6 units)
Bio
Bio
Bio
Bio
MB
MB
201
213
251
261
212
217
Microtechnique
Advanced Parasitology
Advanced Genetics
Developmental Biology
Advanced Invertebrate Zoology
Ichthyology
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
C. Major Courses (minimum of 9 units)
Bio
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
MB
211
203
214
221
226
228
229
240
241A
241B
292
293
294
298
Advanced Systematics
Marine Microbiology
Marine Planktonology
Advanced Marine Ecology
Marine Ecosystems
Marine Productivity
Marine Pollution
Marine Toxicology
Morphology and Physiology of Marine Animals
Morphology and Physiology of Marine Plants
Marine Resource Management
Mariculture
Fisheries Biology
Marine Methodology
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 unitd
3 units
3 units
D. Other Required Courses (7 units)
MB
MB
296
300
Seminar in Marine Biology
Masteral Thesis
1 unit
6 units
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE BIOLOGY (M.S. Mar. Bio.)
(LIST OF COURSES BY SEMESTER)
First Year, First Semester
Course
No.
Bio 298
Ocea 211
Stat 233
MB 296
Course Title
Units
Advanced Research Methodology
Biological Oceanography
Biostatistics
Seminar in Marine Biology
Total
3
3
3
1
10
Lec
3
2
3
1
9
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
0
3
3
5
0
3
0
1
3
12
Prerequisite(s)
First Year, Second Semester
Course
No.
Ocea 221
Ocea 231
Elective 1
Elective 2
Course Title
Units
Physical Oceanography
Chemical Oceanography
Total
3
3
3
3
12
Lec
2
2
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
3
5
3
5
Prerequisite(s)
First Year, Summer
Course
No.
Course Title
Units
Elective 3*
Total
Lec
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
Prerequisite(s)
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
Prerequisite(s)
3
3
Second Year, First Semester
Course
No.
Course Title
Units
Cognate1
Cognate2
Elective 4
Total
Lec
3
3
3
9
Second Year, Second Semester
Course
No.
Course Title
Units
(Comprehensive Exam)**
MB 300
(Thesis Proposal Defense)**
Masteral Thesis
Total
6
6
Lec
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
Prerequisite(s)
Second Year, Summer
Course
No.
MB 300
Course Title
Units
Lec
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
Prerequisite(s)
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
Prerequisite(s)
Masteral Thesis
Total
Third Year, First Semester
Course
No.
MB 300
Course Title
Units
Lec
Masteral Thesis
Total
Third Year, Second Semester
Course
No.
MB 300
Course Title
Units
Lec
Hrs/Wk
Lab
Total
Masteral Thesis
(Thesis Defense)**
* May be taken in the first semester of the second year
** May be enrolled/conducted either in the first or second semester/summer term
Prerequisite(s)
