Master of Science in Biology
Our M.S. in Biology program provides advanced training in biological science. Whether currently employed as a biologist or teacher, planning to pursue employment in a biological field, or intending to enter a doctoral or professional program in biology, a solid grounding in advanced biology is essential.
- Degrees & Offerings
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- M.S.
- Location
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- Bloomsburg
- Lock Haven
- Mansfield
- Department
- Program Contact
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Associate Professor of Biology
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Associate Professor of Biology & Chair of the Biological and Health Sciences Department
Virtual Information Session
You're invited to the Commonwealth University M.S. Biology Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. on Zoom! Join program faculty as they preview coursework, research, internships, program delivery, career options, job outlook, life as a graduate student, and the admission process.
Program Details
- Program Length – Program curriculum includes 10 courses (30 credit hours). Thesis and Non-Thesis options are available.
- Flexible Start Dates – Applications are accepted for the spring, summer, and fall semesters.
- Course Delivery – Includes a combination of in-person, blended, and online classes. Offered at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses. Also, a variety of courses are taught at Wallops Island, VA.
- Faculty Expertise – A broad array of disciplines is represented among the faculty, allowing considerable flexibility in the selection of independent research topics. Thesis research may be carried out on campus, or at an off-campus site.
- Graduate Assistantships – Available for qualified applicants.
- Doctoral Degree Preparation – Can also serve as excellent preparation for advanced study, with recent graduates pursuing doctoral degrees at Rutgers University, Lehigh University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Michigan School of Osteopathic Medicine, and the University of Rochester.
Courses and Curriculum
- Career Advancement: Graduates with an M.S. in Biology are highly sought after in a variety of fields, including healthcare, environmental conservation, biotechnology, and academia. The advanced training you'll receive can open doors to higher-level positions and increase your earning potential. The M.S. is rapidly becoming the professional working degree in Biology and the Allied Sciences and the US Department of Labor lists a B.S. as the minimum qualification for entry-level positions, but they quickly amend this to state that many positions expect a M.S.
- Research Opportunities: Graduate studies entail a close working relationship between a student and a faculty member who acts as their Major Professor. The universal core of the program is an independent scholarly project which is planned, executed, and presented to the public under the direction of a Major Professor. Elective courses are also offered to develop specific competencies. This is designed to be completed in two years, with full-time effort split roughly equally between research and course work. Every effort is made to closely match students with a faculty mentor and research advisor who is able to satisfy their interests and provide the resources necessary to support students’ scholarly work. Browse our Research gallery to see the research being conducted by Biology faculty and current students.
- Faculty Expertise: A broad array of disciplines is represented among the faculty, allowing considerable flexibility in the selection of independent research topics. Thesis research may be carried out on campus, or at an off-campus site.
- Doctoral Degree Preparation: Can also serve as excellent preparation for advanced study, with recent graduates pursuing doctoral degrees at Rutgers University, Lehigh University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Michigan School of Osteopathic Medicine, and the University of Rochester.
- Enhanced Expertise: The M.S. in Biology provides an opportunity to dive deeper into specialized fields of interest. Whether you are passionate about genetics, ecology, molecular biology, or any other sub-discipline, our program offers the depth and rigor needed to build significant expertise.
- Departmental Paper Option
- Directed Study: Spring Start / Fall Start
- Thesis: Spring Start / Fall Start
*Please see the CU degree requirements effective Fall 2023. All enrolled students can also review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion in Degree Works.
- Thesis Option – This option is recommended for students planning to continue their graduate studies or professional training. Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours of graduate course work, with at least 18 semester hours at the 500 level. A thesis is required for this option. Normally a student in this option will take 6 hours of thesis, and 24 hours of formal classroom course work. The thesis must be defended orally. Students in the Thesis Option do not carry out a Directed Study, as that experience is intended for the Nonthesis Option.
- Nonthesis Option – Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours of graduate course work, with at least 18 hours at the 500 level. Students choosing this option will not carry out a thesis. There are two suboptions within the nonthesis option.
- Directed Study Suboption – Students must complete at least 27 credit hours of graduate course work, and 3 credit hours of Directed Study in Biology. A directed study is a hands-on research experience smaller in scope than a thesis. Typically the directed study is completed within one semester. A written report is prepared, and presented orally to the Department.
- Departmental Paper Suboption – Students must complete at least 30 credit hours of graduate course work. They must complete a literature-based paper on a topic selected by the student and the academic advisor or mentor for the paper. The BAHS Departmental Paper carries no credit hour equivalent. The paper must be presented orally to the BAHS Department.
- Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in biology or its equivalent.
- Two letters of recommendation from previous science faculty.
- At least one letter should be from a faculty member who instructed the applicant in an upper-level biology course.
- Applicants with research experience should submit at least one letter from a research adviser.
- Others may submit a letter from any professor with the ability to evaluate the applicant's laboratory research potential.
- Undergraduate deficiencies must be addressed prior to admission to the program or during the first semester in consultation with the program coordinator.
- Deficiencies may be addressed by undergraduate course work without credit earned toward the degree, by graduate course work when suitable, or by outside readings. The method of satisfying deficiencies is decided by the student and graduate program coordinator in consultation with the departmental graduate committee.
- A minimum of two weeks is required for review of a completed application by the department's graduate committee.
- Q: Do I need a degree in biology to be admitted?
A: No- applicants should have an undergraduate degree in the sciences. Common undergraduate majors include- biology, chemistry, environmental science, and health science. Students may be asked to address important areas of study which were not addressed as an undergraduate, but this is resolved as part of the program planning, which is a normal part of the unique plan every student develops with their Advisory Committee. - Q: How is the program delivered?
A: Many formal classes meet once or twice a week for 15 weeks in the spring, fall, and summer semesters. However, the core of the Program revolves around the student’s independent Thesis Research, which is a continuous effort throughout the student’s tenure in the graduate program. Formal class meetings are on the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses and may be delivered in person, online, or in a blended format. - Q: What are the career options for students graduating with this degree?
A: Alumni have moved into full-time positions in a number of roles, but largely determined by their area of interests. Recent alumni are working in roles like- Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Research Technician in the Florida Everglades, or Research Technician at Geisinger Medical Center. Some students will also continue their educational career. Recent alumni are enrolled in Medical Genetics PhD- Rutgers University; Paleontology PhD- Lehigh University; and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. - Q: When can I start?
A: Applications are accepted for the spring, summer, and fall semesters. - Q: Do I need to take the GRE in order to apply?
A: No- the GRE is not required for admission.
Practical Learning
Research
Graduate studies entail a close working relationship between a student and a faculty member who acts as their Major Professor. The universal core of the program is an independent scholarly project which is planned, executed, and presented to the public under the direction of a Major Professor. Elective courses are also offered to develop specific competencies. This is designed to be completed in two years, with full-time effort split roughly equally between research and course work.
Every effort is made to closely match students with a faculty mentor and research advisor who is able to satisfy their interests and provide the resources necessary to support students’ scholarly work. Browse our Research gallery to see the research being conducted by Biology faculty and current students.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
Careers
The Master of Science Degree is rapidly becoming the professional working degree in biology while the U.S. Department of Labor predicts substantial growth in openings for biological scientists in the coming decade.
Potential Job Opportunities
- Microbiologist
- Zoologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Physician
- Research Technician
- Interpretive Naturalist
- Genetic Counselor
- Veterinarian
- Botanist
- Professor
- Biochemist
- Conservation Specialist
- Fisheries Biologist
- Public Health Specialist
Research at World's End
Honors alumna and biology graduate student Elizabeth Lee joins National Geographic expedition to antarctica.
M.S. Biology student dives into coral restoration project
Caitlyn Collins has reached new depths in her study of marine biology. Quite literally. The second-year biology (M.S.) graduate student spent part of her summer research work at the Roatan Institute of Marine Science in Honduras, where she not only helped with a coral restoration project, but learned to SCUBA dive to fully participate in the underwater data collection.
Accelerated plan to medical school
It was five years ago when Oriana Balascio '21/22M discovered another meaningful way to focus her passion for science. Her initial interest in pursuing a Ph.D. in cancer biology shifted to medicine. After completing Bloomsburg’s 3+2 accelerated B.S./M.S. biology program, her next step landed at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, her top choice.
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