Master of Science in Biology

• 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

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in specialized area of biology
• Demonstrate quantitative and qualitative skills in the use of data gathering methods and data analysis techniques use for typical analyses in conducting research
• Produce written and oral communications of professional quality
• Participate in intellectual and organizational aspects of the profession, including ethical conduct of research

• 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.
• Professional resume.
• Statement of research interests/goals or preferred faculty mentors in the Biology and Health Sciences Department at Commonwealth University.
• Identify a potential biology faculty advisor. Have the advisor send an email to the biology graduate coordinator (srier@commonwealthu.edu) stating that they are willing to take you on as an advisee.
• 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.

Alumni Placement

• Animal Care Professional, Living Shores Aquarium
• Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
• Assistant Director of Teaching Labs, Drexel University
• Command Center Analyst, IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group
• Environmental Monitor, Ecological Associates, Inc.
• Inside Sales Specialist, Watchmaker Genomics
• Interpretive Naturalist, Adventure Aquarium
• Research Technician, Florida Everglades
• Research Technician, Geisinger Medical Center
• Research Technician, Sanofi
• Sales, Thermo Fisher

Doctoral Program Placement

• PhD, Duquesne University
• PhD, Lehigh University
• MD, Michigan State University
• PhD, Rutgers University
• MD, University of Michigan School of Osteopathic Medicine
• PhD, University of Missouri
• PhD, University of Pittsburgh
• PhD, University of Rochester
• MD, West Virginia University School of Osteopathic Medicine