Gain advanced knowledge and research expertise in biology to prepare for careers in science, technology and education.

MS in Biological Sciences Overview

Expand your expertise in the life sciences with 51视频's Master of Science in Biological Sciences. You can choose from four specialized tracks to align with your career interests:

  • General Option:听Customize your studies across cellular, organismal, ecological, evolutionary, molecular and physiological biology to match your educational and professional goals.
  • Biotechnology Option: Gain hands-on experience and knowledge essential for success in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Bioinformatics Option: Prepare for roles in bioinformatics and computational biology through interdisciplinary coursework emphasizing the analysis and interpretation of biological data.
  • Education, Communication and Outreach Option: Develop the skills to effectively communicate biological concepts, ideal for careers in education, curriculum development and science communication.

Our program fosters critical thinking and equips you with the competencies needed for independent laboratory research. Through advanced lectures, seminars and laboratory courses, you'll be prepared to excel in academic, industrial or educational settings.听

Biology Curriculum

The M.S in Biological Science is a 30-credit master's degree with an optional thesis. (Note: The Education, Communication and Outreach Option requires 33 credits.)

While it is possible to complete M.S. requirements without the thesis or project option, participation in a research project or thesis is a key activity that can distinguish graduate from undergraduate education. All full-time M.S. degree students are, therefore, strongly urged to elect thesis or project options.

Please note that acceptance to the M.S. in Biological Sciences program does not guarantee a position in a research lab.听Membership in a research lab must be confirmed with the听faculty听member in charge of the lab.

For a complete list of academic requirements, please visit the听Academic Catalog.

View graduate course listing.


This is a 30-credit program.
Core Required Courses
Course #Course NameCr.
Total7
BIOL.5190Biochemistry I3
BIOL.6030Graduate Colloquium1
BIOL.6040Professional Communication
3
Biology Electives
Course #Course NameCr.
Total23, 17 or 11
BIOL.5000Professional Experience3
BIOL.5090Photobiology3
BIOL.5130/5150Invertebrate Zoology II3/1
BIOL.5160Climate Change4
BIOL.5200Biochemistry II3
BIOL.5210Biochemistry Techniques2
BIOL.5260Evolutionary Biology3
BIOL.5290Recombinant Protein Production4
BIOL.5320/5340LGenomics/Laboratory3/1
BIOL.5360Behavioral Ecology
BIOL.5370/5390Biology and Evolution of Anthropoda3/1
BIOL.5420Cell Biology3
BIOL.5520Quantitative Physiology3
BIOL.5550Entomology
BIOL.5550Entomology Lab
BIOL.5570/5590Metazoan Parasitology3/1
BIOL.5600Stem Cell Biology3
BIOL.5620/5630Cardiovascular Physiology4
BIOL.5670Molecular Biology (lecture only)3
BIOL.5690Molecular Techniques (lab only)
BIOL.5720Virology3
BIOL.5760Cell Culture4
BIOL.5800/5810LDevelopmental Biology/Lab3/1
BIOL.5820Cancer Biology3
BIOL.5890Practical Protein Crystallography4
BIOL.5900Human Neurobiology3
BIOL.5930/5950LImmunology/Lab3/2
BIOL.6660
Selected Topics in
Molecular and Cellular Biology
3
BIOL.7070Internship in Biology3
BIOL.7210Special Problems in Biology3
Project or Thesis Option
Course #Course NameCr.
Total6 or 12
Master's Project0-6
Master's Thesis0-12

Other Approved Electives
Course #Course NameCr.
Total3
CHEN.5350Cell and Microbe Cultivation3
CHEN.5450Isolation/Purification Biotech Products3
CHEN.5480Engineering Process Analytics3
CHEN.5550Biopharmaceutical GMP/Licensing3
CHEN.5860Biotech Processing Lab3
CHEN.5370Nanomaterial Characterization I3
CHEN.5410Nanomaterial Characterization II3
NUTR.5720Nutrition and Gene Expression3
NUTR.5630Vitamins and Minerals3
NUTR.5060Biochemistry of Lipids3
HSCI.5500Human Development & Pathophysiology3
PHRM.6501Drug Discovery3
PHRM.6100Principles of Pharmaceutical Sciences3
IM.7XXMarine Science and Tech. Courses3
Pathways (Courses, Project or Thesis)
Courses OnlyProjectThesis
Required7*7*7*
Project/Thesis0612
Electives231711
Total303030
*If taken as a UML undergraduate, the course does not need to be retaken. However, the credits (3) must be made up by taking additional courses.

Total Credits = 30

Last updated: 12/3/20

This is a 30-credit program.
Core Required Courses
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
BIOL.5190Biochemistry I3
BIOL.5210Techniques in Biochemistry听
3
BIOL.6040Professional Communication in Science and Technology3
Required Laboratory Courses (choose 3)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total???
BIOL.5290Recombinant Protein Production3
BIOL.5340LGenomics Laboratory (taken concurrently with BIOL.5930)1
BIOL.5690LMolecular Biology Lab3
BIOL.5890Practical Protein Crystallography3
BIOL.5760Cell Culture3
BIOL.5950LImmunology Laboratory (taken concurrently with BIOL.5930)1
Recommended Electives (Choose 3)*
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
BIOL.5350Cell and Microbe Cultivation3
CHEN.5450Isolation and Purification3
CHEN.5550Biopharmaceutical GMP and Licensing3
CHEN.5860Biotechnology Processing Projects Laboratory3
BIOL.5720Virology3
BIOL.7330LProjects Laboratory3
BIOL.7330MS Project in Biology3

*Up to9 credits of coursework may be taken in other departments. The sum of core and elective courses must total at least 30 credits.

Total Credits = 30

Last updated: 6/25/20

This is a 30-credit program.
Core Required Courses
Course #Course NameCr.
Total4
BIOL.6030Graduate Colloquium1
BIOL.6040Professional Communication
3
Any 3 Bioinformatics Courses (with at least 2 labs)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total11-12
BIOL.5050LBioinformatics + Lab4
BIOL.5300Cancer Genomics3
BIOL.5320Genomics3
BIOL.5340LGenomics Lab1
BIOL.5700Data Science for Biologists in Python3
BIOL.5772LData Science for Biologists in Python Lab1
BIOL.5860Experimental Design and Analysis of Life Science3
BIOL.5892Crystallography and Structural Bioinformatics3
BIOL.5894LCrystallography and Structural Bioinformatics Lab1
Biology Electives (0-4 courses)*
Course #Course NameCr.
Total0-12
BIOL.5XXX or above
BIOL.5XXX or above
BIOL.5XXX or above
BIOL.5XXX or above
Any additional graduate course in biology0-4

Approved Interdisciplinary Graduate Electives (Choose 1)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total3
COMP.5030Algorithms3
COMP.5400Visual Analytics3
COMP.5411Data Visualization3
COMP.5440Data Mining3
COMP.5450Machine Learning3
COMP.5510Bioinformatics for CS3
COMP.5520Foundations in Digital Health3
COMP.5730Data Base I3
COMP.5740Data Base II3
CHEM.5620Biopharmaceutical Development3
CHEM.5670Computational Biochemistry3
CHEM.5700Protein Chemistry3
CHEM.5800Bioananalytical Chemistry3
CHEM.6310Principles of Medicinal Chemistry I3
CHEM.6320Principles of Medicinal Chemistry II3
MATH.5550Applied Math for Life Sciences3
MATH.5630Computational Mathematics3
MATH.5750Applied Statistics with R3
MATH.5780Statistical Inference and Data Mining3
MATH. 5910Linear Models and Regression3
MATH. 5930Experimental Design3
ATMO.5030Remote Sensing3
ATMO.5050Atmospheric Measurements and Data Analysis3
ENVI.5040Geographic Information Systems3
PHRM.6200Pharmacokinetics3
PHRM.6400Pharmaceutical Analysis3
PHRM.6410Drug Delivery3
PHRM.6501Drug Discovery3
PUBH.5310Health Informatics3
PUBH.5750Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
PUBH.5760Biostatistical Programming3
PUBH.5770Biostatistics for Health Data3
PUBH.6870Quantitative Models for Public Health3
PUBH.6890Advanced Regression Modeling3
XXXX.5XXX听
or above
Any COMP, MATH, CHEM,听
or other non-bio graduate course with approval of graduate coordinator
3

*Courses required depends whether the student is completing a thesis. project or coursework only program.

Total Credits = 30

Last updated: 10/29/20

This is a 33-credit program. It is not an education license-granting program.
Curriculum Options:
Coursework Only (33 credits)
  • 21 credits in biological sciences coursework
  • 9 credits in electives from the Departments of Business, Education or Psychology露
  • 3 credits in supervised teaching of a biology course*
Coursework Plus Masters Project (33 credits)
  • 18-21 credits in biological sciences coursework
  • 6-9 credits in electives from the Departments of Business, Education or Psychology 露
  • 3 credits in supervised teaching of a biology course*
  • 3-6 credit project in either biology or biology education**
Coursework Plus Masters Thesis (33 credits)
  • 18 credits in biological sciences coursework
  • 6 credits in electives from the Departments of Business, Education or Psychology 露
  • 3 credits in supervised teaching of a biology course*
  • 6 credit thesis in either biology or biology education*

Core Required Courses
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
BIOL.5190Biochemistry I (or an approved equivalent)3
BIOL.6040Professional Communication in Science and Technology
3
BIOL.7100Supervised Teaching of a Biology Course3

Biology Electives

18-21 additional credits (beyond the core biology curriculum required) of graduate level biology coursework.听

Electives in Business, Education and Psychology

6 credits in electives from the College of Education (one course MUST be from COE), Manning School of Business or the Department of Psychology.
Examples of Business Electives
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MGMT.5010Organizational Behavior3
MGMT.6010Managing Organizational Change (MGMT.5010 is a prerequisite)3
Examples of Education Electives
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EDUC.5760Curriculum and Teaching Science3
EDUC.6101Theories of Learning3
EDUC.6240Assessment of Learning3
EDUC.6350Dynamics of Curricular Change3
EDUC.6380Curriculum Design K-123
EDUC.6423Program Evaluation3
EDUC.6441Models of Teaching3
EDUC.6510Technology and Learning Environment3
EDUC.6760Exploring the Nature of Science3
Examples of Psychology Electives
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PSYCH.5000Introduction to Community Social Psychology3
PSYCH.5120Applied Research Methods (pre-req or co-req is PSYCH.50003
PSYCH.6770Applied Cognitive Psychology to Education3
PSYCH.6780Seminar in Metacognition3
PSYCH.5710Autism and Developmental Psychopathology3
PSYCH.5610Introduction to Behavioral Intervention in Autism3
PSYCH.5620Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support3
PSYCH.5880Advanced Cognition3
PSYCH.6630Experimental Analysis of Behavior3
PSYCH.6810Health campaigns: Effects and Processes3

Total Credits = 33

露At least one elective course must be from the School of Education.

鈥upervised Instruction in Undergraduate Biology Education (BIOL.7100): Graduate students will assist with the preparation of course materials, teaching and/or grading in selected courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.听 Students will be expected to work well independently, while also working under the supervision of a faculty mentor.听 Through these activities, the student will learn about materials used, as well as teaching and learning techniques implemented in undergraduate biology education.

** Project or thesis could be in biology or biology education depending on future career plans; this decision would require advice from the department.

鈽匱his option would not be an education license-granting program.

Last updated: 8/20/24

Why Study Biology at 51视频?

Biology research female putting liquid in test tube

Research Opportunities

Conduct innovative research through advanced laboratory courses and faculty-led projects, developing essential critical thinking and laboratory skills.

Professor and student assemble bones in a 51视频 biology lab

Experienced Faculty

Learn from award-winning听faculty听committed to excellence in education and research, providing mentorship and expertise in various biological disciplines.

Biological Sciences student, Bryan Richard, feeding a lungfish.

Strategic Location

Benefit from 51视频's proximity to Boston's biotech corridor, offering access to internships and professional development in a thriving life sciences hub.

Professor and student view skull on computer screen in 51视频 biology lab

Comprehensive Support

Access resources like the Graduate Student Manual and dedicated graduate coordinators to assist with program planning and research opportunities.

Tuition and Admissions

Eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial assistance.

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).听Learn more at 51视频 Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit听Financial Aid听if you have questions about your eligibility.

Kennedy College of Sciences master鈥檚 and doctoral applicants must submit:

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report (required for some programs, waiver form available)

Note, all required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated.听If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on 鈥淧rogram Materials鈥 to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.听听

Chemistry and Polymer Science Ph.D. Applicants: All required documents must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by Feb. 15 to receive full consideration for Fall semester acceptance. Applications completed after this deadline will be considered for acceptance in the subsequent semester.

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal, Visit the page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

  • Capitalize your proper name.
  • Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

app-fee 2. Application Fees

The application fee is $50 for each application and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.


3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation except Medical Physics applicants which requires three (3) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process, and that an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendations.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor鈥檚 degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from 51视频, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

51视频 Graduate Admissions
GPS Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101


test-score 6. Official Test Score Report(s) (waived for most programs)

If your program requires one or more test scores reports, request that the appropriate agency send an official test score report for the GRE or GMAT to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 51视频鈥檚 school code is 3911.

These programs require official test scores:

  • MS Computer Science
  • Ph.D. Computer Science
  • Medical Physics
  • Radiological Sciences

Get more information about standardized tests.

Some master's programs will waive the test score requirements under certain conditions.

Further information is available on the GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms webpage.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

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Brian Richard 鈥22, 鈥24
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I want to teach high school students, because I think I can help them and serve as a role model.
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