Masters in Biology Programs in the USA: Top 20

1 Masters Biology

Georgia Institute of Technology · -

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations18,523,273

Biology at Georgia Institute of Technology, where the subject sits alongside engineering and computing. That points towards bioengineering, computational biology and systems approaches.

The taught content spans molecular and cellular biology, evolution and ecology before the research work begins. Graduates leave with laboratory and regulatory skills, which is why clinical laboratory and regulatory affairs roles appear among the destinations.

Jobs graduates go into

• Clinical Laboratory Technologist
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Public Health Administrator

Full programme details →

2 Masters of Science in Biology

Washington State University at Vancouver

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations7,838,804

A Master of Science in biology at Washington State University's Vancouver campus.

Branch campuses usually mean smaller groups and closer supervision than the main campus. American biology master's degrees come in two forms: a thesis route for research, and a taught route for employment.

Ecology, genetics, microbiology and cellular biology are all covered, with laboratory experiments and fieldwork attached to each. Deciding early which of the two routes you want saves a wasted semester.

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3 Master of Science in Biological Sciences

U University of Alaska - Fairbanks

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations2,178,269

Biological sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where cold-regions biology, Arctic ecology and northern ecosystems are genuine specialisms.

Field work there is seasonal and demanding, which shapes how a thesis is timetabled.

Ecology, genetics, microbiology and physiology make up the taught base, with independent research on top. Laboratory work and field studies run together, and the research is expected to address a real problem rather than a textbook one.

Jobs graduates go into

• Biotechnology Professional
• Health and Safety Officer

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4 Biology, M.S.

University of South Florida · Tampa

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Starts2 years
• Research citations8,256,290

A biology master's at the University of South Florida, where subtropical and marine ecology are natural strengths.

No length is recorded. South Florida's coastal setting gives access to field sites and marine facilities that inland universities cannot match.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• Prospective students must apply to the Biology M.S. major with a specific concentration via the online application process through the USF Office of Admissions.
• GRE: Preferred scores of 155V (69th percentile), 150Q (38th percentile), 4.5AW
• It is expected that candidates for the M.S. degrees will have completed courses equivalent to those required for the B.S. in Biology at U.S.F.
• Interviews may be required.

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5 Biology, M.S.

Saint Louis University · St. Louis

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Starts2 years
• Research citations3,784,936

A biology master's at Saint Louis University, a private institution in Missouri with health sciences research alongside.

No length is recorded. At a private university the fee matters more than at a public one, and teaching assistantships are the usual way master's students reduce it.

Also named for this programme

• Graduates will be able to critically analyze primary literature articles by evaluating the scientific contributions of peer-reviewed publications in biology.
• Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional integrity.
• Graduates will be able to use appropriate instrumentation and analytical methods to collect data.
• Graduates will be able to draw statistically valid conclusions from quantitative data.

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6 Biology, M.A.

San Diego State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations3,655,526

Biology at San Diego State University is awarded as an MA rather than an MS, which in American biology usually signals a taught or teaching-focused degree rather than a research one.

Coursework covers molecular biology, ecology, organismal biology and microbiology, with practical research attached. Marine and desert ecology are both strong locally, so the project options stretch from tide pools to arid uplands.

Jobs graduates go into

• Regulatory Affairs Specialist

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7 Biology, MS

George Mason University · Virginia

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Starts1 year
• Research citations3,442,295

A biology master's at George Mason University, in the Washington area, where federal agencies and research institutes employ many biologists.

No length is recorded. That concentration of agencies is the main argument for the location, if the department arranges internships with them.

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8 Agricultural Biology (M.S.)

N New Mexico State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations2,388,227

Agricultural biology at New Mexico State University — plant science, crop systems and pest management, with agency and agribusiness employment behind it.

It runs one to two years, with autumn and spring entry, at a land-grant university in a farming state.

Plant genetics, pest management, soil biology and sustainable farming practice are the four content areas. Students use current research methods on problems that growers in the region are living with now.

Jobs graduates go into

• Agricultural Research Scientist
• Pest Management Specialist
• Sustainable Agriculture Consultant
• University Research and Teaching

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9 Biology, MS

Loma Linda University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration2-5 Years
• StartsAutumn
• Research citations2,096,477

Biology at Loma Linda University, listed at two to five years — the most honest duration here, and a sign that part-time study is supported.

A five-year outer limit suits someone studying alongside work, and it is realistic about how long a research thesis can take.

Universities named in the programme record

• Secondary and University Teaching

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10 Biology (MS)

T The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations1,350,877

Biology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in south Texas, a region with distinctive subtropical and borderland ecology. Regional public universities often combine low in-state fees with teaching assistantships.

Molecular biology, ecology and biomedical science are taught together, with research work running alongside the coursework. The subtropical setting means local field sites differ from anything available further north.

Full programme details →

11 Master of Science (M.S.) Biology

University of North Dakota · North Dakota

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Starts2-3 years
• Research citations1,249,894

A Master of Science in biology at the University of North Dakota, where prairie ecology, wildlife and environmental science are the regional strengths.

No length is recorded. American biology master's degrees split between a thesis route, aimed at research and doctoral study, and a taught route aimed at employment.

Full programme details →

12 Cell and Molecular Biology, M.S.

Florida Institute of Technology

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations1,218,994

Cell and molecular biology at Florida Institute of Technology — the laboratory and biomedical side of biology, which has the clearest industry demand. This institution runs the same subject at doctoral level too.

Molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology form the core, with the handling of genetic information treated as a subject in itself. Entry wants a bachelor's in biological sciences, chemistry or a related field, a solid grounding in cell and molecular principles, and research experience is strongly advised.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• A bachelor's degree in biological sciences, chemistry, or a related field
• Strong background in cellular and molecular biology principles
• Research experience is highly recommended

Full programme details →

13 Masters Biology

Louisiana Tech University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations852,161

Biology at Louisiana Tech University. At a technology-focused university, biology often connects to biomedical engineering or environmental technology, which opens thesis projects with industry or agencies.

Molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology make up the taught content, with analytical and practical skill developed in parallel. The degree is aimed equally at research, teaching and applied science, so the thesis choice matters more than the coursework.

Jobs graduates go into

• Biotech Product Developer

Full programme details →

14 Masters Biology

Humboldt State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations774,336

Biology at Cal Poly Humboldt, on the northern Californian coast, where forest, river and marine ecology are the natural research strengths. Long-term monitoring projects in those settings make strong thesis material.

Ecology, evolution, physiology and molecular biology are all taught at advanced level, with laboratory and field projects attached. The degree is built for work in research, teaching and environmental management rather than one of the three.

Universities named in the programme record

• College/University Educator

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15 Biology (M.S.)

C California State University, Northridge

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations604,788

Biology at California State University, Northridge. The California State system is teaching-focused with substantial master's provision, which means master's students are the senior students in a department rather than behind doctoral candidates.

Advanced coursework covers molecular biology, ecology and evolution, with laboratory work running throughout. The subject here is organisms in their settings and how they act on one another, so field access matters as much as bench time.

Full programme details →

16 Masters Biology

North Carolina A&T State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations497,926

Biology at North Carolina A&T State University, a historically Black land-grant institution with established agricultural and life sciences research.

No length is recorded. Land-grant universities combine agricultural, environmental and biological research with outreach work, which can mean applied thesis projects.

Jobs graduates go into

• Biological Research Scientist
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Full programme details →

17 Masters Biology Student Abby Pratt

U University of Louisiana at Lafeyette

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Research citations493,286

Biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The title stored here is a fragment of a web page rather than a course name.

No length or structure is recorded either, so the university's own pages are the place to see what the master's covers and what funding exists.

Universities named in the programme record

• PhD in zoology at Southern Illinois University

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18 Biology (MS)

Georgia Southern University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations480,067

Biology at Georgia Southern University, a regional public university. Regional public universities are often the best value at this level: modest in-state fees, teaching assistantships, and faculty whose main graduate work is supervising master's students.

Molecular biology, ecology and evolutionary biology are the three taught strands, paired with genuine research practice. Academic training and supervised project work carry equal weight, which suits someone heading towards a doctorate.

Full programme details →

19 Biology Ms

U University of West Florida

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• DurationEstimated program length: 24 months
• Research citations309,845

Biology at the University of West Florida, with an estimated length of 24 months — the only explicit figure here.

Two years is what a master’s with a research component realistically takes. American biology master’s degrees run either as a thesis route, aimed at research, or as a taught route aimed at employment.

Full programme details →

20 Masters Biology

Grand Valley State University

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration1–2 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations280,959

Biology at Grand Valley State University, in Michigan, a university with a strong undergraduate teaching tradition and a growing graduate programme.

Where the graduate programme is smaller than the undergraduate one, master's students often get substantial laboratory access.

Jobs graduates go into

• Clinical Laboratory Technologist
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Full programme details →