Biology, M.S.

The Master of Science degree in biology is primarily for students with a strong undergraduate preparation in biology who desire to prepare for advanced study, teach at the college level, and/or pursue a career in the biological sciences. Our program offers comprehensive preparation in general biology with a curriculum balanced in three content areas (Ecology & Biodiversity, Cell Molecular Biology, and Human Biology).

A student desiring admission should have an undergraduate major in biology or a related science consisting of a minimum of 50 credits in science, of those a minimum of 30 credits in biology, 6 credits in chemistry, and one semester of college mathematics.

Applying

To apply to the program, students must submit the following.

  • The graduate school application.
  • All college transcripts.
  • Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references sent to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. A recommendation form can be downloaded from the program webpage.
  • A 300-500 word statement explaining why the applicant is interested in obtaining a Master’s degree in biology, and what type of career the applicant is seeking.

For more information, please contact BiologyGrad@southernct.edu.

Thesis

Requires completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 30 credits including 2 credits of seminar and 6 credits in thesis research (BIO 590). Thesis approval requires satisfactory oral defense of the thesis. 

Thesis - Step 1 - Proposal Acceptance Form
Thesis - Step 2 - Acceptance Form

Comprehensive Examination

Requires completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 30 credits including 2 credits of seminar. Students in this program must pass a final written comprehensive examination administered by the department. 

Special Project

Requires completion of an approved program consisting of a minimum of 30 credits, including a special project; 2 credits of seminar; and 3 credits of BIO 600  Independent Study and Research.

Special Project - Step 1 - Proposal Acceptance Form
Special Project - Step 2 - Acceptance Form