Admission Requirements

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Program Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or recognized international institution
• Recommended cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.20 or higher
• The following prerequisites with a grade of ‘C’ or better:
  • Calculus - 4 credits
  • Cell Biology - 4 credits with lab
  • Ecology - 4 credits with lab
  • Genetics - 3 credits
  • Molecular Biology - 4 credits with lab
  • Organic Chemistry - 4 credits with lab
  • Physics - 4 credits with lab
  • Physiology - 4 credits with lab

Required Materials

• Application
• Official transcript for the last degree earned.
• International transcripts must include an official course-by-course evaluation of all academic work from an accredited academic evaluating service
• Résumé
• Two letters of recommendation
  • One letter must come from a professor and the second from an additional professor or employer
• Personal statement
  • In 250-500 words, detail your interest in the biology program, your relevant academic and personal experience, and how this degree will impact your career goals
• Interview
  • Once all required materials are received, you will be contacted to meet with the review committee
• *Students are NOT required to submit GRE score

You will have the opportunity to study a wide-range of biology topics in order to fulfill the credits required to complete either the Master of Arts or Master of Science degree. Throughout your studies, you will partake in courses in three categories: general core, concentration core, and electives. In your first year, you will gain exposure to a variety of fields through coursework and lab rotations within the general core requirements. This experience works to form the foundation of your studies and will help you determine which concentration best suits your interests: Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, or Ecology and Evolution. As you pursue your studies in your selected concentration, you will also be able to take electives to round out your experience.

Your Path to Successful Program Completion

All graduate-level Biology students must pass an oral comprehensive examination covering current theory, application and research in areas appropriate to their training and interests. In addition, students must complete the minimum credit hours required for each degree program, as follows:

Master of Science in Biology Program Requirements

Students in the Biology (MS) degree program will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, comprised of 24 credits of coursework and six credits of master’s-level research. Students must submit and defend a research thesis with both a written thesis and oral defense, both of which demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research.

Master of Arts in Biology Program Requirements

Students choosing the non-thesis option (MA) must either complete 33 credits of coursework in Biology or cognate courses aimed at further acquisition and refinement of program student learning objectives, or 30 credits of course work—and with the approval of the graduate Chair of Biology— three credits of intern experience in a professional setting aimed at student acquisition of career skills targeted by the program. Upon completion of the internship, the student must also submit a recommendation letter from their internship mentor and an internship report, describing the work done in their internship and the professional advancement outcomes achieved. Furthermore, the student should present her/his work in a seminar at UB.

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Program Core Requirements

These courses are specific to the graduate-level Biology degree program.

BIO 443	Advanced Methods in Molecular Biology
BIO 470	Research Rotation
BIO 490	Departmental Seminar
BIO 498	Internship (M.A. Students)
BIO 499	Master’s Research (M.S. Students)
MATH 423B	Biostatistical Analysis

Molecular Biology Core Courses

BIO 403	Tissue Culture
BIO 407	Microbial/Molecular Genetics
BIO 421	Advanced Cell Biology
BIO 479	Bioinformatics

Biomedical Science Core Courses

BIO 418	Environmental Health
BIO 441	Cell Molecular Immunology
BIO 446	Environmental Toxicology
BIO 491	Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease

Ecology and Evolution Core Courses

BIO 402	Evolution
BIO 423	Advanced Ecology
BIO 424	Physiological Ecology
BIO 479	Bioinformatics

Elective Courses

BIO 441	Immunology
BIO 444	General Toxicology
BIO 480	Special Topics
BIO 497	Selected Topics in Integrated Health and Healing
BIO 500	Maintaining Matriculation
BIO 493	Bioelectric Phenomena

 

UB’s graduate-level Biology program will prepare you for jobs and terminal degrees requiring highly-trained experts with advanced knowledge in biology and related sciences. You will be competitive for positions in private, academic, and government research institutions, clinical laboratories, and more. In addition, our close proximity to leading biotech and pharmaceutical corporations provides local opportunities for recent graduates remaining in the area.

Your Goals and Your Degree Type: Working Hand-in-Hand

Our program is specifically designed with two degree path options built to support the future endeavors of all graduate-level biology students. Read on to find out how your career goals pair with our degree offerings:

• The Master of Arts in Biology is best suited if you are a working professional looking to elevate your career. This degree will allow you to take your enhanced skillsets and apply them to your existing role or to a new position. The Biology (MA) degree can be pursued with or without an internship, as well as on a part-time basis, if needed. This flexibility allows you to acquire the skills necessary to take your career to the next level while maintaining your work/life balance.
• If you see yourself pursuing research-based positions and/or further education following graduation, you should consider pursing the Master of Science in Biology degree. Instead of an internship, the Biology (MS) degree program requires completion of a thesis of original research—something highly desirable when applying to medical school and other terminal degree programs.

Your career awaits in…

Agriculture
Biotechnology
Colleges and Universities
Environmental Laboratories
Food Processing and Safety
Government (EPA, OSHA, FDA, etc.)

Hospitals
Marketing
Museums
Pharmaceuticals
Private Research Foundations

Public Health
Publishing
Research and Development
Research Management
Sales