The Department of Biology offers programs leading to a Master of Science degree. Thesis research is a major component of the MS program. Students who are not interested in research should investigate other programs with a non-thesis option or simply register for courses as a non-degree seeking graduate student. Areas of specialization include molecular and cellular biology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, and developmental biology. In addition to the courses offered by the Department of Biology, graduate students may request departmental permission to enroll in graduate courses offered by the Environmental Studies Program and courses offered at the VCU Medical Center in the departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Biostatistics, Human Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.