College of Science and Technology

Master of Science in Biology

Biology

Degree Offered: M.S.

The goals of the M.S. Biology graduate program is to provide students with the training, guidance, experience, and opportunities to participate in research that will allow them to make the transition from being interested consumers of biological knowledge to being full, participating members of the biological profession. They will demonstrate the ability to effectively share their new insights with their colleagues, students, and others by lectures, conference presentations, in written assignments, and papers published in peer-reviewed journal publications.

Graduates of the program will acquire and demonstrate the following essential skills for biological research:

  • Experience in scientific methods, experimental design, and research
  • Integrating new insights from their research with existing knowledge to generate greater understanding
  • Scientific writing and communication
  • Critical reading of the scientific literature and analysis of scientific evidence including quantitative and qualitative datagraduate research students

Admission Requirements for the Biology, MS and Biology: Applied Biomedical and Genomic Science, M.S. Programs

A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or a related discipline from an accredited institution. Considerations of performance in discipline-related coursework is a critical factor in the holistic admissions review process, along with a competitive cumulative Grade Point Average (typically 3.0 or above).

Three or more of the following pre-requisites are required:
• One semester of Calculus
• One year of Physics
• One year of Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry through Organic Chemistry II

Two or more letters of recommendation from academic and professional references, which describe the applicant’s background, strengths, and aptitudes for graduate study, should be submitted with the application. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by the same individuals who complete the recommendation form included in the standard Graduate College application. For more information about eligibility, interested applicants should contact the departmental graduate program coordinator. 

Program Requirements

  • Up to 12 graduate level credit hours are transferable to an MS Biology degree. There are three MS Biology programs: Thesis, MS Biology; Project, MS Biology; and Applied Biomedical and Genomic Science concentration, M.S. Biology. Elective coursework is subject to guidance and approval by the departmental graduate program.

Thesis, MS Biology

  • 3 credit hours in experimental methods biology, 9 credit hours in core courses, 4 credit hours in elective courses, 2 credit hours in seminar courses, and 12 credit hours in supervised thesis research.

Project, MS Biology

  • 3 credit hours in experimental methods biology, 9 credit hours in core courses, 10 credit hours in elective courses, 2 credit hours in seminar courses, and 6 credit hours in supervised research.

Applied Biomedical and Genomic Science concentration, M.S. Biology

  •  9 credit hours in core courses, 21 elective courses to include an experiential research course as overseen by the departmental graduate program.

Approximately 25% of biology students proceed directly to further graduate studies in biology or biology-related fields. About 45% go on to schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry. Still others go directly to work in a broad variety of fields. These include research or applied science positions in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Some become high school teachers, go into sales, or work for governmental regulatory agencies, zoos or parks.

A Biologist earns an average salary of $52,579 per year. Experience has a moderate effect on pay for this job. Skills that are associated with higher pay for this job are Molecular Biology, Project Management and Technical Writing.

Salary Range: $34,000 to $133,000

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Contact Information:
Graduate Coordinator - Dr. Liesl Jeffers-Francis  email: ljeffers@ncat.edu