Biology, M.S.

Earn a master’s in biology to prepare for a rewarding scientific career.

DEGREE:

Master of Science (M.S.)

DELIVERY:

Face-to-Face

LOCATION:

Morehead

TIME REQUIRED:

30 Credit Hours

Course Requirements

What You’ll Learn in the biology master's program

You’ll learn advanced research and laboratory skills and knowledge in molecular biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, physiology, ecology, and evolution.

Our regional analysis and public policy (RAPP) option teaches you to use your scientific skills to improve communities. You can also choose a thesis or non-thesis option to earn your degree.

What You Can Do with a master's in biology?

Graduates with a Master of Science in Biology are prepared to pursue doctoral degrees and continue research in various fields. They also excel in sharing their knowledge in the classroom and develop in-demand skills, such as oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and professionalism.

Explore More

Biotechnology Researcher
Biology Professor
Clinical Research Coordinator
Environmental Scientist
Genetic Counselor
Medical Science Liaison
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Science Writer
Wildlife Biologist

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Catalent Pharma Solutions
St. Claire HealthCare
St. Elizabeth Healthcare
UK HealthCare

Admission to the biology master's program

To enroll in the program, you must be accepted for graduate study at MSU.

Apply to Graduate School

General admission to graduate study.
Completion of an undergraduate major or minor in biology, environmental science, or an equivalent course of study.
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in all upper division biology courses.
Acceptable proficiency in chemistry, mathematics, and physics as determined by the biology graduate admissions committee.
Minimum GRE score of 800 ("old" format) or 292 ("new" format) for verbal plus quantitative sections.
Minimum TOEFL score for International students is 525 (minimum computer-based score of 173).

General admission to graduate study (for criteria, refer to "Admission to Graduate Study").
Completion of an undergraduate major in biology, environmental science or an equivalent course of study.
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in all upper division biology courses.
Acceptable proficiency in chemistry, mathematics and physics as determined by the biology graduate admissions committee.
Minimum GRE score of 400 for verbal and 400 for quantitative sections.
Minimum TOEFL score for international students is 525. Computed-based test score of 173. Internet-based score is 70.

Research Proposal - By the end of the first year of coursework, preferably by the end of the first semester, the thesis student will develop a five-to-six-page research proposal. This proposal will include an introduction that briefly surveys the literature and concludes with a hypothesis or statement of the research problem; a methods section that outlines the basic methodology; an expected results section that indicates the expected outcomes of the proposed research; an incomplete list of literature references which support the research; and an appendix which itemizes the direct costs of the research.
Satisfy University degree requirements.
Complete an approved thesis.
Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of 600-level course work, including six hours credit for the thesis and one hour credit for graduate seminar.
At least 24 of the 30 hours must be completed in biological science. The remaining hours may be selected from biology or related fields (if approved by the student's graduate committee).
Take final written and oral examinations as determined by the student's graduate committee.

Satisfy University degree requirements.
Complete an approved thesis.
Complete a minimum of 34 credit hours of 600-level course work, including six credit hours for the thesis and one credit hour for biology graduate seminar.
At least 22 credit hours must be completed in biological sciences.
Take final written/oral examinations as determined by the student's advisory committee, which must include at least one IRAPP faculty member (associate or affiliate).
Complete the 12 credit hour regional analysis requirements.
Each student will be required to take one credit hour of biology graduate seminar.

Satisfy University degree requirements.
Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of 600-level course work.
Complete a minimum of 21 approved semester hours in biology (of the 30 required). The remaining hours may be selected from biology or related fields (with the approval of the student's graduate committee).
Take final written examinations as determined by the student's graduate committee.

Satisfy University degree requirements.
Must be unconditionally admitted.
Complete a minimum of 37 credit hours of 600-level course work.
At least 25 credit hours must be completed in biological sciences.
Complete the 12 credit hour regional analysis requirements.
Take final written/oral examinations as determined by student's advisory committee, which must include at least one IRAPP faculty (associate or affiliate).