Concurrent Bachelors / Masters in EBIO

The BA-MA Degrees: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the concurrent BA-MA degrees in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology?

Only Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Majors at the University of Colorado are eligible for this degree. Persons working on an undergraduate degree in another Department or degrees from other Universities are ineligible. Seniors are also ineligible.

Am I eligible for financial aid if I enroll in this program?

For financial aid purposes, BA-MA students are currently treated as undergraduates while they have undergraduate status. As such, you are eligible for support from UROP . When you achieve graduate status, you are eligible for Deans Small Grants Awards, PBK graduate fellowships, etc.

Can double majors enroll in the concurrent BA-MA program?

No (but if you can demonstrate that the additional major will not negatively impact on your BA-MA, you can apply for an exemption to this rule)

At graduation, am I awarded one or two degrees?

You get two separate degrees.

When am I considered a graduate student of the University?

You achieve graduate status at the end of your fourth year when you have completed 120 credit hours and fulfilled all of your MAPS deficiencies. At that time you complete the Undergraduate Certification Form confiming that you have completed all requirements and that you can advance to graduate status. For more information, see "Guidelines for the Concurrent Degree Program" which is available from the Graduate School.

Are there exceptions to the requirements/standards for the degree?

Exceptions to graduate school requirements are addressed by the Concurrent Degree Appeals Committee (CDAC). Contact Wendy Wibbens-Craig in the Graduate School for more information on the Committee and the process.

If I started out in another major and then switched to Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, can I apply for the concurrent BA-MA degree?

Yes, that might be possible, but you must first fulfill the entry level requirements in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology before admission (A&S core, entry level courses in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology) to the program. You should consult with the Program Director about the specifics of your case. The graduate school requires that you must complete at least 24 h of credit at CU before you can be considered for admission to the program.

What are the major differences between the concurrent BA-MA degrees and a straight BA degree?

There are a number of differences; however, the major difference is that the BA-MA degrees emphasize research . That means that you must have a research advisor and develop a coherent research plan early in your program. Another difference is that all thesis-related courses are chosen following consultation with your advisor and Thesis Committee. There are additional requirements associated with a graduate education, such as taking 30 hours of graduate credit; in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology these credits must include at least 2 graduate seminars. You also have to pass a comprehensive exam on a research proposal which is submitted to your Thesis Committee. Of course, you have 5 years to finish this degree. The concurrent BA-MA degrees clearly have a different educational emphasis, one which actively involves you in current biological thought and original research.

Am I eligible for Honors?

Yes, but you must fulfill all of the honors requirements of the department by the end of your fourth year. This includes submitting an Honors thesis for evaluation. You receive Honors when you graduate at the end of the fifth year. For more information contact the Honors College at (303) 492 6617. But, you do not have to write a second thesis for the BA-MA, since you can expand upon the existing Honors thesis to fulfill this requirement.

How should I proceed if I am interested in the concurrent BA-MA degrees?

First, be sure that you fulfill the admission requirements for entry into the program. Given the emphasis on research, you must next decide which research area in biology most interests you. First, learn more about the research conducted in the department ; then, determine if any one of the faculty with interests similar to yours is interested in sponsoring a BA-MA student. You will need a research advisor when you apply to the program. You should also speak to the Program Director at this time. Because the application deadlines are October 15 th and March 15 th , act quickly early in the semester.

Can I enroll in off-campus programs, such as "Semester at Sea", and still complete the BA-MA program?

The BA-MA degrees are a demanding, time-consuming program because you are actively involved in a research project and graduate-level coursework. Since there is a firm deadline for finishing this degree, a semester spend elsewhere presents a particular problem. It might be possible to do both the degree and a semester away, but this course of action would be a difficult one.

If I have already completed a degree in another field (e.g. music or political science), can I still apply for a BA-MA in EBIO?

Yes. If you are just starting out as an EBIO major and intend to obtain a second degree you are eligible to apply, providing you fulfill the admissions requirements.

What happens if I drop out of the program?

You would receive only a bachelor's degree, assuming that you fulfill the degree requirements. You are required to complete the requirements for the bachelor's by the end of the second semester of the senior year. The BA-MA guidelines stipulate that you should have completed a minimum of 120 credit hours as well as your A&S core and major requirements by that time. Any graduate level courses that you might have taken will count toward the BA.

If I get sick, can I take a leave of absence?

Yes, but you need to get the permission of the Program Director, the Graduate School, and the College of Arts and Sciences.

How many students are enrolled in the BA-MA program?

Five students are currently enrolled. The EBIO faculty has set an upper limit of eight students for the program as a whole.

Can anyone apply for the concurrent BA-MA degrees?

No. This degree is available only to EBIO majors who meet the course and grade requirements. Other majors are excluded. Since considerable planning and coordination of course selection are required to obtain the concurrent degrees within five years, senior EBIO majors are ineligible for admission to this program.

Who is on the Thesis Committee, and how do I pick the right faculty?

The Thesis Committee has a minimum of three members. The three would consist of 1) your research advisor and 2) two other EBIO faculty. These three faculty must hold appointments in the Graduate School. It is not required that you have a member outside EBIO, but you are welcome and encouraged to do so. This would be a fourth person on your Committee. In general, you should ask faculty who have considerable expertise in your research area. Become familiar with the research interests of EBIO's faculty . After all, they are on the Thesis Committee to advise you (e.g., which graduate courses might be best for you) as well as to evaluate your academic and research performance.

Are the graduate courses that I take limited to those offered by Ecology & Evolutionary Biology?

No. You can enroll in graduate courses in other departments if they are appropriate for your graduate studies. Your Thesis Committee needs only to approve a course taken outside the department.

Am I required to take EBIO's graduate core curriculum as part of the BA-MA?

No. Decisions on all course work are determined by you and your Thesis Committee. Your committee, however, may recommend that you take some aspect of the core curriculum.

If you have additional questions, please contact the EBIO Program Director , directly.