该硕士课程的设计目的是为希望接受严格培训，从而获得硕士学位的具有不同科学背景的学生提供帮助。它提供了广泛领域的研究和学习。学院在以下领域具有专长：细胞生物学，微生物学，分子生物学，神经生物学，生理学，植物科学，种群生物学和进化生物学。生物学硕士课程的学生必须修满30个研究生学分（课程工作20个学分，研究10个学分），这些学分通常以研究论文为最终结果。教师顾问会协助每个学生选择一个有凝聚力的学习计划。我们拥有一支多元化的学院，在分子生物学，细胞生物学，环境生物学，有机生物学和进化生物学方面拥有强大而活跃的研
The M.S. in Biology is designed to prepare students for graduate or professional studies as well as for entering the job market. Students can pursue a general Masters degree or choose from one of three concentrations: molecular/cellular biology, microbiology or medical microbiology. Students choosing the general Masters degree design their course of study, with the approval of their advisor, and can vary from sustainability, ecology, systematics, environmental studies, or development biology.<br><br>Students may choose one of two pathways to complete the degree: (1) complete a research project under the advisement of one of the faculty members, and write and successfully defend a thesis based upon that research, or (2) take a comprehensive examination based upon the course work completed. The general Masters degree and the three concentrations have sets of required core courses (see Course of Study) which the student must complete, additional course work is completed from elective classes.<br><br>Students who elect to complete a thesis must complete a total of 30 credits (core plus electives). Students who elect to take the comprehensive examination must complete a total of 36 credits (core plus electives). For qualified students, financial aid packages are available in the form of graduate assistantships for teaching and research. These assistantships provide a stipend for the student and cover the cost of tuition for up to 9 credits per semester. Students can receive these assistantships for a maximum of four semesters.<br><br>A master of science degree can be used as a steppingstone for multiple career paths. Students may further their scientific pursuits by continuing on to earn a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Alternatively, students may enter the work force and be employed in research laboratories in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals and federal and state agencies.