Graduate Programs > M.S. in Biology
The Master of Science in Biology is a research-oriented degree that may be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis.
Admissions
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science program, a student must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a biological science. Individuals with degrees in other natural sciences may be considered, depending on their interests and background.
In addition to the requirements of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, applicants should have a background that includes one year each of general biology and general chemistry; organic chemistry; physics; and mathematics, including calculus. Deficiencies in such required back-ground courses should be resolved by the first 15 semester hours of courses taken in the graduate program. Transcripts of academic work and three letters of recommendation are required. GRE general test scores (within the last five years) are required. Subject test scores in biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, chemistry, or physics are recommended. Admission decisions are made by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences after the receipt of recommendations by the department's Graduate Committee.
Applications for the Fall semester must be received by January 1st in order to receive full consideration for financial aid. The general Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are required and applicants whose first language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of 250 computer, or 100 internet. To receive an application fill out this form:
http://neugrad.askadmissions.net/emtinterestpage.aspx?ip=register
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Academic Requirements
Students in the master's program are required to complete 30 semester hours of graduate level coursework, 20 of which must be taken for a letter grade. Of the 20 semester hours taken for a letter grade, 12 semester hours will consist of the following REQUIRED courses: BIOL 7382 Research Problem Solving, Scientific Writing and Communication (4 SH), and two out of following four discipline-specific courses: BIOL 6401 Research Methods and Critical Analysis in Molecular Cell Biology (4 SH), BIOL 6xxx Ecology and Evolution (4 SH), BIOL 6399 Dynamics of Microbial Ecology (4 SH), and BIOL 6303 Neurobiology and Behavior (4 SH).
A minimum GPA of 3.000 for all graduate work is required for the award of the MS degree. All regulations of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences regarding maintenance of academic standing apply.
This program involves laboratory or field research leading to the written and oral defense of a thesis. Students are directed by an adviser and two other committee members. The adviser and at least one other member must be Biology department faculty members.
MS LITERATURE THESIS
Students also have the option of completing a literature thesis, a critical review of an important biological problem. The regulations for the structure of the thesis committee, the organization and submission of the thesis proposal, and the requirements of the thesis defense are the same as for the research thesis.
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Master's Program Students Applying to the PhD Program
A candidate for the MS degree may apply to the PhD program after completing 15 semester hours of course work in the master’s program. The application must include an up-to-date transcript of courses taken since admission to the master’s program and letters of reference from two Northeastern faculty members, including a letter of commitment from the student’s proposed doctoral dissertation adviser. Students applying to the PhD program must meet all course requirements for the PhD.
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Financial Aid
All full-time students enrolled in the Biology department’s doctoral or master’s degree programs are eligible to be considered for departmental financial aid. As noted in the general University policies, all students who hold assistantships are expected to devote full time to their studies and the duties of the award.
Graduate assistantships in the Department of Biology are available for full-time students and provide remission of tuition, waiver of the student health insurance charge, and annual stipends of up to $29,100. Assistantships are in the form of either teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and on a voluntary basis, summer internships with one of several local biotechnology companies.
Other Financial Aid Sources
Costs
For the latest information on costs please contact student financial services. Graduate Tuition and Other Fees
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