Master of Science in Botany

Our Department offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Botany and Zoology, with research specializations that include ecology, evolution, behavior, development, comparative and environmental physiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, genetics, and phylogenetics. Our work ranges from problems at the genomic level to analyses of ecosystems. We have ongoing research in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments, across geographic regions (tropics through subpolar), and on a range of organisms. Furthermore, our program involves laboratory and field-based studies as well as theoretical work in our areas of expertise.
Our faculty and students value basic and integrative research (e.g., by crossing levels of organization from molecules to global systems), linking theory with data (through use of statistical and mathematical tools), using natural history to guide the development and testing of rigorous conceptual frameworks. Many of our faculty also are interested in the application and testing of basic science in applied contexts (e.g., conservation biology, ecotoxicology, human health). See the main Biology web page for general information about our program and information about faculty and their research interests.

A recognized baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.
Applicants with a bachelor's degree only, a minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours is required.
THE GRE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION INTO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
This is a competitive program, with a minority of the applicants being offered admission to the department. Fulfillment of the criteria specified below is not in itself sufficient for admission. The applicants with the strongest academic records and research interests that most closely match those of our graduate faculty will be offered admission.
The Research Statement (a.k.a. the Statement of Purpose) required in the application carries great weight in the admissions decision. You must describe your research interests so that we can determine if they are compatible with the current research activities of one or more of our graduate faculty. The statement also lets us evaluate your knowledge of your discipline and your ability to articulate and motivate an interesting research problem. The required letters of recommendation are also extremely important to help us discriminate among applicants on the basis of aptitude for biological studies, research experience, and potential for success.
The Graduate School requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a grade point average (GPA) for the last 2 years of undergraduate studies of B (3.0/4.0) or higher for admission to the University of Florida. Exceptions to this requirement require recommendation by the department and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School.
Entering graduate students are expected to have training in biology, physical sciences, and mathematics sufficient to support graduate-level course work and research. The minimum requirements that must be met before the end of any degree include courses in at least 3 of the following 5 areas: Genetics, Physiology, Ecology or Behavior, Evolution or Morphology, and Cell Biology or Development. Also, 1 year of physical sciences or mathematics is required.

The standards for admission to our Department are higher, but vary from year to year depending on the level of competition and upon other aspects of an applicant's record (GRE and GPA are not more important than other aspects of your application). As a general guide, successful applicants usually have combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores of >312 and GPA of >3.5 (although exceptions are not uncommon, especially for international students).
The GRE subject test in Biology is not required for application to our program. If you are not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. Permanent Resident, you must apply as an international student for admission to the graduate program. As such, many of you will be required to take the TOEFL exam or its equivalent as well,
For applicants from countries where English is not the ofcial language, a minimum score on one of these English Language Skills tests, IELTS - 6.0,TOEFL IBT- 80, PBT- 550.