Master of Science in Biology

The MS in Biology degree is a two-year program that strengthens your core knowledge and allows you to explore advanced topics in your chosen field. Students have two options for completing their MS in Biology degree:

Thesis: If you're planning to continue working in research or pursue a PhD, a thesis is the best option for you. You'll work closely with a faculty research advisor to complete an in-depth and independent research project. You'll also have the opportunity to get teaching experience.
Non-thesis: If you're looking into non-research career you may consider a non-thesis option. This option combines additional course work with a less intensive research experience. In a non-thesis setting, you can expect to pursue advanced topics in biology, gain hands-on research experience, become an independent scientist, and gain teaching experience.

Students must possess a bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from an accredited college or university. The degree should include a major in biology or a branch of biology, one year of inorganic chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry, and one semester of calculus or statistics. Applicants with undergraduate deficiencies may be required to register for appropriate courses. The applicant's grade point average must be at least 2.6, or submit a Miller Analogies Test score greater than 47. Keep in mind that these are the minimum scores to be eligible to apply. The Graduate Records Exam (GRE) is not required for admission, but scores may be considered by the graduate committee during the review of applications. International applicants must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a score greater than 500 on the paper-based test (PBT), 173 on the computer-based test (CBT), or 80 on the internet-based test (iBT), or take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam and score 6.5 or greater. Keep in mind that these are the minimum scores to be eligible to apply, and students are expected to have a strong proficiency in both spoken and written English. The deadline to submit your application with full consideration for the upcoming academic year is March 1. Applications received after this date may still be considered for the upcoming academic year on a case-by-case basis or may be deferred to the next academic year. Applications for admission during the spring semester will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with spring admissions made only in specific circumstances.