Biological Sciences MBS
Degree Awarded: Master of Biological Science (MBS)
Minimum Required Credits: 30.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1029
About the Program
The Department of Biology offers graduate programs in biological sciences leading to the thesis or non-thesis Master of Science degree. The curricula and research programs are designed to help students achieve success in their degree programs and pursue positions of leadership in their respective fields of research. The intellectual life of the department relies heavily on the participation, creativity, and the energy of graduate students; therefore the department expects students to be vigorously involved in courses, seminars, journal clubs, research, informal discussions, and departmental functions.
Key advantages of the program include a flexible core curriculum with opportunities to pursue a wide range of electives, significant faculty expertise in effective pedagogical strategies that support student learning, and a strong and supportive department with diverse faculty research expertise.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Requirements
NOTE: There is a thesis and a non-thesis option for this program. Both programs have the same required coursework outlined below. Students in the MS with thesis program additionally need to:
- Engage in thesis research (will enroll in Research in Biological Sciences for two terms)
- Complete a dissertation/thesis (will enroll in Master's Thesis in Biological Sciences for two terms)
- Attend departmental seminars (will enroll in Biological Sciences Seminar for four terms)
| Required courses | ||
| BIO 5001 | Introduction to Research in Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 6001 | Communication in Biology | 3.0 |
| Core Elective Courses | ||
| Select two (2) of the following courses or an approved substitute course: | 6.0 | |
| Advanced Cell Biology | ||
| Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology | ||
| Molecular Ecology | ||
| Population Genetics | ||
| Elective courses | ||
| Select six (6) of the following courses or approved substitute courses: | 18.0-22.0 | |
| Biological Sciences Seminar 1 | ||
| Microbial Pathogenesis | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Stem Cell Research | ||
| Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry | ||
| Genomics | ||
| Virology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Cell Biology of Disease | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | ||
| Biology of Neuron Function | ||
| Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration | ||
| Neurobiology of Disease | ||
| Research in Biological Sciences 2, 3 | ||
| Master's Thesis in Biological Sciences 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 30.0-34.0 | |
- 1
This course is required for students pursuing the thesis option. Must be taken four times.
- 2
Course is required for thesis students and enrollment is with permission of department. This course must be taken twice.
- 3
Thesis students choosing to engage in research over the summer will need to see their advisor.