Types of biology masters programs

A typical credit master's program can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students enrolled in a biology degree program take a core of classes in topics like current issues in biology, biological research methods, and statistics.

Other courses in the program may look at plant pathology, conservation of birds and mammals, human genetics, animal behavior, principles of ecology, human evolution, or essential human anatomy. Most master's programs in natural science areas require the completion of a thesis or a comprehensive exam. The thesis requires students to conduct original research into a particular biological question. Depending on the student's interest area and the degree focus, they may do field work or conduct experiments in a lab.

Depending on the focus of their master's program, graduates can begin careers as microbiologists, epidemiologists, medical laboratory technologists, natural science managers, or wildlife biologists. Graduates may also pursue various research-based careers in biochemistry, biology, chemical engineering, consumer products, forensic chemistry, geochemistry, hazardous wastes, or material science.

The master's degree in biology also qualifies graduates for teaching positions in some community and junior colleges. Others may go on to earn a teaching certificate and become biology teachers in public high schools. OnlineU has over partner colleges that advertise on our site.

Search results include only our partner colleges, which are marked with the word "Ad. Columbia University in the City of New York. New York NY. Learn More. School Type: Non-Profit. Graduate Online Enrollment: The George Washington University. Washington D. Graduate Online Enrollment: 8, Commerce TX. Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges is a regional accreditation agency.

Graduate Online Enrollment: 2, Clemson University. Clemson SC. Graduate Online Enrollment: 1, Washington State University. Pullman WA. Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is a regional accreditation agency. University of Nebraska at Kearney. Kearney NE. Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission is a regional accreditation agency.

New York University. Miami University-Oxford. Oxford OH. Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Fort Collins CO. University of Florida. Gainesville FL. Graduate Online Enrollment: 3, North Carolina State University. Raleigh NC. College Station TX.

Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore MD. Graduate Online Enrollment: 18, Liberty University. Lynchburg VA. Graduate Online Enrollment: 36, Students are also well prepared for jobs in the healthcare, biomedical, agricultural, environmental, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Thomas University allows our students to integrate courses from different science fields to match their personal and professional career goals. It provides students with skills in scientific analysis, research, communication, and documentation related to the natural sciences.

Our program emphasizes the interrelationships among the several natural science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, data science, and bioethics while at the same time offering an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving by including courses in education, professional communication, and other disciplines.

This program provides science preparation that can be applied to careers such as a scientist, biologist, laboratory technician, educator elementary or high school teacher in earth sciences, environmental sciences, etc.

Our biology programs offer small class sizes of fewer than 20 students. This approach allows our faculty to provide personal attention to our students in the classroom and in the laboratory. Bioethics is the study of ethical issues that emerge from biological, environmental, medical and technological advances. Our Master of Science in Bioethics helps graduates develop the moral discernment necessary to guide medical and environmental policy and practice. This interdisciplinary program can be completed in 16 months.

Students also choose an internship in their area of interest and can be involved in ongoing research in our native slash pine forest ecosystem on campus. Contemporary bioethics may be grouped into four key areas: bioethical issues at the beginning and at the end of human life, healthcare bioethics, and environmental bioethics.

The degree program aims to prepare graduates to become scholars and teachers in the biological sciences. It includes advanced academic coursework, thesis research, faculty mentorship, and teaching experience. Graduate researchers work in the areas of cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, and integrative biology.

All students must write a thesis, give a public seminar on their research, and orally defend their work. The university's Biology Department offers MS students full tuition remission and stipend support for two years of study. Today, it is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The university's Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials also conducts significant lab research. The degree program is focused on computational and quantitative skills applicable to Big Data, biomedical research, and personalized medicine.

It prepares graduates for further advanced study or research-based careers in academia or industry. Courses cover areas including analysis, programming, and statistics. There are around six students per class, which allows for close mentorship.

Students can expect to participate in intensive research, lab activities, journal clubs, and departmental seminars. Students also have options to participate in fellowships and internship programs. Northwestern was founded in by nine Chicago Methodists. It is now a nonsectarian private research university.

It is located in Evanston, Illinois, 12 miles from downtown Chicago. The university also operates a Chicago campus and an international campus in Qatar. Northwestern has very high research activity and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.

The degree program covers various areas of animal and plant biology. It has three major areas of emphasis: cell and developmental biology, comparative organismal biology, and ecology and evolutionary biology.

MS candidates must complete 30 graduate credit hours of study, including 24 coursework credits and six thesis research credits. The curriculum culminates in the master's thesis and a final oral exam. Teachers and those interested in biology education can choose a non-thesis option with a research project.

The non-thesis track can be completed online. Clemson University was established in on the estate of politician Thomas Green Clemson.

Today, the public research university is the second-largest university in South Carolina by student enrollment. It is located in the town of Clemson, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The university also administers the nearby Clemson Experimental Forest. It is a land- and sea-grant university categorized in the top tier of research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.

The university's graduate Biological Sciences programs are ranked No. The degree requires 30 credit hours of study. Key culminating coursework includes a written research thesis and oral defense, a comprehensive written exam, a seminar presentation.

Students can expect to work with faculty members on research in areas such as conservation, genetics, microbiology, and science education. Students also have opportunities for teaching assistantships and research presentations at regional and national conferences. Appalachian was founded in by two brothers.

In addition, the school is noted for its achievements in sustainability and climate leadership. MS students also have the option to focus on Medical Laboratory Management. The degree program is designed to build students' understanding of the global ecosystem and advances in molecular biology. The program also draws upon the areas of chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, forestry, mechanical engineering, and math. All students work on research and write a master's thesis.

Michigan Tech was founded in as a mining school. Today, it is a public research university focused on business, engineering, forestry, science, and technology. The university is located in Houghton, Michigan, in the state's Upper Peninsula. A report by Reader's Digest stated that the campus was the safest in Michigan and the third safest in the United States. The university's graduate Biological Sciences department is ranked No.

The MA is a non-thesis degree program, while the MS program is research-based. The MA program culminates in a project paper and two capstone courses. The graduate program also offers two track options: biochemical, cell, and molecular biology or ecology, evolution, and behavior. Students also have the freedom to combine these tracks with interdisciplinary studies in other academic areas.

Graduate students can attend the department's seminar series each semester. Students also have options to work as teaching assistants or complete a laboratory- or field-based internship. Today, it is a public space-grant research university and one of four constituents of the State University of New York system. The university's graduate Biological Sciences programs rank at No. The degree program emphasizes ecology and environmental science, though students can choose to study any area of biology.

Students can also choose between a thesis or non-thesis track, but ultimately finish semester hours of study. The core curriculum consists of four courses: Advanced Biological Literacy, Advanced Quantitative Biology, a graduate seminar, and Experimental Design.

Graduates of the program go on to work in education, forensic science, nonprofits, and private industry. The Carnegie Foundation has recognized the college for its community engagement through civic partnerships and service activities.

The degree program is designed to prepare students for advanced study and professional employment in fields such as biotechnology, ecology, and health sciences.

The degree requires 30 credit hours of study, including one required course: Foundations of Graduate Studies in Biology. Students can choose from electives in biology as well as general graduate offerings. Students also have the option to culminate their plan of study with either a research thesis or comprehensive exam. Buffalo State was established in as a teacher training school.

Today, it is a public college and constituent of the State University of New York system. The college receives more research funding than any other school in the SUNY system. Notably, Buffalo State was the first school in the world to earn a Master of Science degree in creativity. The degree program is open only to students who will earn an undergraduate degree in biology from Johns Hopkins. It prepares these students for professional education and careers in science or medicine.

The program includes faculty mentorship, specialized coursework, and laboratory leadership and teaching experience. The MSMCB ends with an independent research project leading to a written thesis and oral presentation. Both institutions were named after their benefactor, abolitionist and entrepreneur Johns Hopkins. The private university is considered to be the first research university in the United States. The university is ranked sixth in graduate-level Biological Science. The degree program earns students initial licensure as high school biology teachers.

Initial licensure is often a prerequisite for further graduate study for biology teachers. The program requires 36 credits, including a practicum experience and extensive school fieldwork. Students must also complete a hour diversity experience.

To culminate the program, students must complete a comprehensive portfolio and scientific presentation. Westfield State was founded in by educational reformer Horace Mann. It was America's first public college to accept students regardless of class, gender, or race.

Westfield State's educational programs can be completed online or on the university's campus in suburban Westfield, Massachusetts. The degree program prepares students for doctoral study and teaching careers or continuing education in medical or veterinary schools.

Because of this, there are a huge amount of kinds of government jobs provided as well, including in the biological field. Therefore, obtaining a degree in biology would be very appealing. There are many different types of biology degrees, especially at the undergraduate level. An undergraduate biology degree is a sound decision if a person prefers a profession in a scientific discipline.

The particular major that the person selects will perform a role which doors are accessible to him or her following college. One of the types of biology degrees is general biology.

It is an apparent selection.