PROGRAM IN PLANT BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

Combined BA/MS Degree

The combined Bachelor’s/Master’s degree program allows Northwestern undergraduates to begin work toward a Master’s degree in Plant Biology and Conservation (PBC) while they are still undergraduate students. TGS and PBC allow a maximum of three courses to count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, certain undergraduate programs may have more strict requirements. Students should speak with their undergraduate program about double counting of their course work.

Students are encouraged to discuss their intent to apply to the program early on in their undergraduate career, by reaching out to the PBC Director (plantbiology@northwestern.edu).  Applicants must have at least one quarter of undergraduate study remaining at the time of their enrollment in the combined degree program. More information about combined degrees can be found at The Graduate School’s Combined Degree webpage.

Requirements for admission

Students may come from any undergraduate degree, but to be admitted into the accelerated MS program a student should meet the following criteria prior to applying.

• GPA of at least 3.0
• Required pre-requisite courses
  • One of the following courses (or equivalent): Env Sci 201, 202, 203; Bio Sci 201, 202, 203
  • A statistics course (e.g. Stats 202 or 210)
• Suggested course combinations to be taken while still an undergraduate but that can be counted toward the MS degree:
  • Either a combination of BIO 339 – Critical Topics in Ecology and Conservation (1 unit) plus two elective courses, or
  • A combination of PBC 450 – Field and Lab Methods in Plant Biology and Conservation (permission of instructor required) (2 units) plus one elective course

Application Process

The application process will involve submitting the following documentation. Applications may be submitted, starting in the quarter in which the student will be within four courses of completing their Bachelor degree requirements. The application must be submitted no later than one the quarter before the student will complete their Bachelor degree requirements. The MS admissions committee will review the application.

• A completed TGS Application for Admission for Combined Degree Program 
• A copy of Northwestern transcript
• A statement of purpose explaining why the student seeks admission in the program, and identifying the PBC faculty member with whom the student plans to work
• For students with a GPA below 3.5, two letters of recommendation are required, one of which will come from the student’s intended faculty mentor. The latter letter should clearly state the mentor’s willingness to advise the student’s research. If the student has a GPA of 3.5 or higher, only the letter from the intended mentor is required.

Requirements for completion of the MS degree

• Required coursework
• Attendance at PBC seminar series and journal club is expected
• Satisfactory performance (GPA above 3.0 and no single grade below C)
• Research thesis
  • Original research under the mentorship of a PBC faculty member
    • The research may be an extension of undergraduate research
    • If an extension of undergraduate research, it must represent the collection and/or analysis of new data
  • Formation of a thesis committee
  • Thesis proposal
  • Written thesis and oral defense

Other important considerations

• If the student is on a 12 quarter undergraduate financial aid package, the student will remain on undergraduate financial aid through 12 quarters of registration even after they have been accepted into the MS program.
• Prior to MS admission, students can count three units that they take as undergraduates toward the MS degree. However, be sure to check with the department awarding your major to make sure that the three courses you want to co-count are allowable for that purpose. 
• After admission into the MS program, all graduate courses taken count toward the MS degree.
• It is expected that students will require approximately one year beyond their senior year to complete the MS degree.
• If a student applies to the accelerated degree program and is accepted, upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree, the student is free to leave Northwestern and not complete the MS degree if he/she chooses to do so. However, the student must inform the PBC director so that the MS career can be formally discontinued.

Example timelines for students matriculating in the MS in different quarters

Classes in bold are required.

Fall matriculation

Winter matriculation

Spring matriculation

*a course that will be counted toward the MS degree but could be taken as an undergraduate