The Biology Department has two separate master's degree programs, one in Biology and one in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. The two programs differ in their curricula, and in the focus of the training provided. The MS Biology program offers a thesis option and a non-thesis option for the Masters of Science degree. A thesis-based degree offers the opportunity to carry out original research, and provides necessary training for research-based careers in the biological sciences and related health sciences (e.g. research associates in academic and corporate lab settings, some state and federal agencies, and Ph.D. programs).The thesis-based option has two concentrations?environmental and organismic biology, and cell biology. Environmental and organismic biology offers training in a wide range of fields, including conservation biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, behavior, fisheries, ornithology, herpetology, and invertebrate biology. Training opportunities in Cell Biology are similarly diverse, and include applied genetics, endocrinology, development, reproductive biology and cell biology. Students select coursework relevant to their research interest within their concentration of choice. <br><br>A non-thesis master's degree is appropriate for careers that value individuals having advanced technical and conceptual training in biology, but do not require one to carry out research in order to succeed in their professional endeavors. These include clinical doctorate programs that are practice-focused (e.g. medicine, dentistry, physical therapy), business applications (e.g. pharmaceutical sales representatives), positions in management and policy, and teaching at the community college or secondary education levels. The non-thesis option offers a highly rigorous curriculum that is tailored to the student's individual career goals.