BIOSC Online - Non-thesis Master's

The Department of Biological Sciences is proud to offer an online, non-thesis Master of Biological Sciences designed specifically for K-12 teachers and others interested in biological sciences! This program is fully in a distance-learning format and lectures are available 24/7.

Students enrolling in our course must first be admitted to the graduate school as a degree (the program number is 813) or non-degree seeking student. Online applications for graduate degree programs are on the Graduate Admissions website (http://www.grad.clemson.edu).

We cycle through the required ten courses, therefore you can begin the sequence at any time. Our program can be completed in 5 semesters if you enroll in two courses each term; however, a master's student has six years to complete a degree; therefore, all coursework to be credited toward any master's degree must have been enrolled in and completed within six calendar years prior to the date on which the degree is to be awarded.

The BIOSC 848 course described below is offered each term since some students have transfer credit for some of our required courses and they wish to take two courses during the term that their transferred course is offered in our cycle.  Do not register for this course if you need the other two courses offered that term since they will not be offered again until they cycle back.  You may register for all three.

For the Summer 2013, we are offering three courses:

  • BIOSC 841 Understanding Ecology and the Environment – This online course is designed for teachers and those who want to understand ecological interactions and systems. It provides a broad background in ecology that includes populations, habitats, communities, trophic interactions, and ecosystems.  It provides a foundation for understanding interactions between organisms and their environments. Dr. John Hains
  • BIOSC 847 Understanding Microbiology – This online course is designed for teachers and for those who want to increase their knowledge about microorganisms.  Topics include prokaryotic cell structure and function, microbial growth and growth control, food microbiology, bacterial genetics, immunology, virology, microbial diseases, and epidemiology.  Laboratory concepts will be emphasized.  Dr. Krista Rudolph
  • BIOSC 848 Understanding Scientific Research – Research problems for teachers in selected areas of biological sciences to provide an introduction to research planning and techniques. Teachers will undertake either an instructor approved, individual project or participate in a group project involving their classroom during the academic year. Both are assisted by and under the supervision of the instructor. BIOSC 840 Understanding Biological Inquiry is recommended before enrolling in BIOSC 848. Instructor: Dr. Robert Ballard

Summer Schedule:

  • BIOSC 847 Understanding Microbiology - Summer I (14 May-26 June 2013)
  • BIOSC 841 Understanding Ecology and the Environment - Long Summer 2013 (3 June-31 July 2013)*
  • BIOSC 848 Understanding Scientific Research - Long Summer 2013 (3 June- 31 July 2013)*
* Clemson University has changed the structure of summer school and we can no longer offer courses that do not fit into the new summer school academic calendar. This online course is offered during the Long Summer Session that runs from May 14 - August 7 2013. However, this class (BIOSC 841) will not meet for the entire session. The courses will not begin until June 3rd and will be completed on July 31st. Even though the course begins after the start of the Long Summer Session, CU will bill you at the beginning of this session. You must pay your tuition at this time or CU will drop you from the course.

If you apply to more than one of our courses, you will be notified about your acceptance under separate email.  Each course will provide you with three hours of graduate credit from the Clemson University Department of Biological Sciences.  All courses are open to degree and non-degree seeking students.

Registration for all courses requires that you complete the course application form(s) below.  Please do not use the online web registration system.

If you would like additional information about these courses or this program, email Terrie Jarrett (tjarret@clemson.edu).

Application Forms and Program Details for Summer 2013 Courses