M.A. and M.S. in Biology

Program Descriptions

Our master's programs prepare students for a variety of careers and opportunities in the biological sciences. In addition, a degree strengthens the credentials of individuals who are already in a biology-related field that they enjoy. Concentrations in marine and freshwater biology and cell and molecular biology are available.

All of our faculty, with the aid of their graduate students, are actively conducting research in many fields:

• Animal physiology
• Aquaculture
• Behavior
• Cell biology
• Conservation biology
• Cell cytoskeleton and ultrastructure
• Deep sea fish
• Bacterial genetics/molecular biology
• Developmental biology
• Ecology
• Evolution
• Genetics
• Invertebrate biology
• Molecular evolution
• Molecular genetics
• Neurobiology
• Parasitology of marine invertebrates
• Plant physiology
• Population genetics and biochemistry of marine organisms
• Shark biology
• Vertebrate functional morphology
• Systematics

In addition to recently renovated laboratories, we have an electron microscopy facility, a state licensed animal care facility, a marine laboratory in Jamaica, West Indies, networked computers, as well as all the typical equipment one finds in modern research laboratories.

Graduates with a master's degree pursue professional degrees in the health sciences, continue graduate work at the doctoral level, and find employment as lab technicians for hospitals and companies, and as marine and wildlife specialists for governmental and nongovernmental organizations.