Master of Science in Biological and Environmental Sciences

This interdisciplinary program involves faculty from multiple departments and offers five diverse areas of specialization, ranging from molecular biology to sustainable agriculture systems.

Specializations
Cell and Molecular Biology
Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Evolution and Marine Biology

The M.S. and Ph.D. in Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES) are interdisciplinary, interdepartmental graduate degrees with faculty from multiple departments in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS), including Biological Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science, Geosciences, Natural Resources Science, Nutrition and Food Sciences, and Plant Sciences, as well as faculty from the Graduate School of Oceanography.

Time to Completion
Full-time: 2-3 years

Admission is quite competitive and applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are rarely admitted Applicants with a GPA between 2.0 and 3.0 may be considered if there is other evidence of exceptional promise included with the application Possible sources of evidence include relevant professional experience as evidenced by publications or letters of recommendation and or high GRE test scores 90th percentile or above

The percentage and number of admitted applicants varies over time depending on faculty commitments and funding available However over the last several years between 10-30 percent of applicants are admitted to the graduate program

Applicants should have a bachelors degree in a biological or physical science natural resources science math engineering or other appropriate discipline

Applications include the following

An unofficial copy of your transcripts Official copies are required after admission Instructions for submitting the official transcript will be provided in the admission letter
At the beginning of your personal statement please list the names of one or more potential advisors in boldface type
Two reference letters Additional letters will be considered although only two are required
Consider submitting any additional materials that provide direct evidence of relevant experience or writing ability such as published papers research posters or reports Please upload any such documents as supplemental materials
GREs are not required in order to apply to the BES program.

TOEFL IBT -
An overall score of 80 or above 82 for teaching assistantship consideration AND
Minimum scores in the following areas -
Reading 19
Writing 18
Listening 17
Speaking 18 the suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 20.
If you are below the minimum in one area by two points or in two areas by one point but have an overall score of 80 or above the Dean will make a determination if you can be considered.
IELTS -
International English Language Testing System IELTS All scores must be sent directly to URI Required minimum score of 6.5 AND minimum scores in the following areas -
Reading 6.5
Writing 6.5
Listening 6.5
Speaking 6.5. The suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 7.
The minimum score on the Paper-based TOEFL is 550.

Pearson Test of English - Required minimum scores are Reading 53 Writing 59 Listening 47 and Speaking 47 - 62 for international teaching assistants.