Course studies culminate in a master's thesis for all students. Graduate level courses are also offered in Geology, which satisfy the emphasis area requirements in the Master's degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction concentration. The Department of Biology offers graduate work leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The Master of Science degree can be obtained through a nonthesis option requiring 36 credits of course work. The department has a core program in ecology and evolutionary biology consisting of eight courses, four in ecology and four in evolutionary biology.
Students complete their degrees in their home communities with limited residency in Arizona.
This creates a need for teachers who have a greater depth of content, knowledge and experience designing a conducting experiments. This program allows participants to engage in research in an area of their own choosing and to experience scientific problem solving and critical thinking to enhance their teaching skills. In addition to a thesis, a workshop presentation to other teachers is required. The Department of Biological Sciences offers both Masters and Ph.D. degrees. Both of these degrees are research degrees.