Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology, General Track - Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Pathway
The Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Pathway in Biology (Non-thesis Track) at the University of West Georgia allows outstanding students who major in Biology to begin earning credit toward a graduate degree while completing their Bachelor’s degree. The ABM in Biology (Non-Thesis Track) allows exceptional students to count up to six (6) hours in the M.S. Biology (Non-Thesis Track) toward both degrees.
The Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Pathway offers the opportunity to simultaneously satisfy partial degree requirements for a bachelor's and a master's degree in an accelerated program of study. Upon completion of the undergraduate B.S. in Biology, with a satisfactory undergraduate grade point average and a grade of "B" or better in all graduate courses completed, the student may move to full graduate status in the Master's program in M.S. in Biology (Non-Thesis Track) and the graduate-level courses taken as an undergraduate will be applied toward the graduate degree.
Students applying for the ABM Pathway in Biology (Non-Thesis Track) must:
- Have completed at least 90 hours toward a B.S. in Biology.
- Have completed at least 30 hours of the 90 hours of coursework at the University of West Georgia.
- Have a UWG GPA of 3.2 or higher and must maintain that GPA while they are undergraduates.
- Have taken BIOL 2108 + BIOL 2108L.
- Meet all admission requirements for the M.S. in Biology (Non-Thesis Track) with the exception of the complete B.S. in Biology.
- Students applying for the accelerated program will not be required to take standardized admissions tests.
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Face to Face
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required:
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
The list below shows the graduate courses for which students can receive credit towards both the graduate and undergraduate degrees, along with the undergraduate courses which they would replace. Students in the pathway may receive credit for two such courses in the M.S. Biology (Non-Thesis Track) which requires 30 hours of coursework. Undergraduate students admitted to the ABM pathway should take at least one (1) 4000-level course before taking any of the 6000-level courses listed below.
Graduate Course followed by Undergraduate Course which is being replaced:
- BIOL 6503 Biological Perspectives: Biochemistry for BIOL 4503 Biological Perspectives: Biochemistry
- BIOL 6983 Graduate Research for BIOL 4983 Senior Biology Research
Heidi Banford, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Erin Duckett, M.S.
Senior Lecturer of Biology
Andrew Edelman, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, Graduate Program Coordinator, & Co-director of Wildlife Ecology Certificate Program
Frank Fontanella, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Janet Genz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
Joe Hendricks, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of the Wildlife Ecology Certificate Program
Melissa Hullender, M.S.
Senior Lecturer of Biology
Melissa Johnson (Cavallin), Ph.D.
Professor & Undergraduate Program Coordinator
William J. Kenyon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
Mautusi Mitra, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Sara Molesworth-Kenyon, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology & Co-Director of Microbiology Certificate Program
Gregory T. Payne, Ph.D.
Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences & Professor of Biology
Nancy Pencoe, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Satyanarayana Swamy-Mruthinti, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Christopher Tabit, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Henry Zot, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Guidelines for Admittance
To apply to this accelerated pathway, students should follow these steps:
- Meet with your advisor when reaching a minimum of 60 credit hours and completion of all Area F coursework.
- Complete an application form for the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Program before earning 90 credit hours.
- If accepted to the ABM, enroll in the designated 6000-level course(s) by contacting the graduate program coordinator before the start of registration.
- Complete a graduate application for the M.S. in Biology (Non-Thesis Track) program the semester before planned entry, including submission of all required documents for admission (see process and requirements below).
Once accepted into the ABM Pathway, students should adhere to the prescribed plan of study and take approved courses for the program. Initially classified as undergraduate students, they can transition to graduate student status upon earning a bachelor's degree with a satisfactory GPA and achieving a grade of "B" or better in graduate coursework.
The semester before entry to the M.S. program, applicants should complete an application to the graduate school and submit the following:
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program-specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Current resume
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement up to one page, including 3 components:
- Their reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Biology
- The specific area(s) (sub-discipline) of Biology in which they are interested
- The type of degree (thesis track or non-thesis track) they wish to pursue.
A student entering this program is normally expected to have an undergraduate degree in biology. Students without a degree in biology or students lacking certain background courses in biology and related sciences may be expected to complete undergraduate courses to compensate for deficiencies.
Graduate students must select an advising committee by the first pre-registration period following admission on any basis, or one will be selected for them by the Department Chair.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
Send official transcripts and admission documents to:
Graduate Admissions
University of West Georgia
Mandeville Hall
Carrollton, GA 30118
One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
Contact
Graduate School
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Program Questions
biology@westga.edu
678-839-6547
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate only), Financial Aid, Fee Payments, Registration, Start/End of term, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
- Summarize core biological principles from ecology, evolution, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
- Participate in experiential learning through internships, research, educational outreach, or other high-impact experiences.
- Communicate effectively via oral, written, and digital platforms about biology to general and scientific audiences.