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Biology, M.S.

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The 31-credit program is very flexible with only two required classes and all graduate-level courses taking place during the evening hours. Coursework places an emphasis on ecology and environmental biology, with expanding opportunities for study in other subdisciplines. 

Master of Biology students will learn to think deeply and critically about the natural world, analyze scientific literature, and design and carry out biological and ecological research. This degree is perfect for those seeking careers in new fields, advancing their current professions, or preparing to continue their education.

Internship Opportunities include:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
  • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
  • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
  • Pennsylvania Game Commission
  • United States Department of Agriculture/Forest Service
  • United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • United States Geological Survey
  • The Nature Conservancy 
  • Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Careers you could get with this degree include:

  • Research technician
  • Park naturalist
  • Outdoor educator
  • Wildlife biologist
  • Environmental consultant
  • College professor
  • Water quality control technician
  • Environmental planner
  • Natural resource manager
  • Field ecologist
  • Environmental impact analyst
  • Toxicologist
  • Museum or zoo curator
  • Conservation biologist

Course work for Biology, M.S. (31 Credits)

Biology has rolling admission with no application deadline. Students can begin the program during the fall, spring, or summer terms.

All applicants for admission must have completed at least 33 semester hour credits of undergraduate biology or biology-related courses (e.g. forestry, horticulture, environmental studies), and have taken at least three chemistry courses with labs, including both inorganic and organic chemistry or biochemistry. In addition, it is recommended applicants have completed a course in evolution, mathematics through calculus, and one year of physics.

After admission to the graduate program in biology, the student will meet with their graduate advisor to complete a proposed course of study form.

Each candidate for a degree must complete a minimum of 31 semester hour credits. At least 25 of these 31 credits must be earned in biology courses (including courses offered by the Marine Science Consortium at Wallops Island) and must include BIOL 593 - Biometry and BIOL 515 - Scientific Communication in Biology. The remaining 6 credits may be selected, with advisement, from courses such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, or geography/earth science.

Candidates simultaneously working towards secondary certification may count EDFN 440 - Teaching of Science in Secondary Schools and EDFN 441 - Curriculum and Evaluation in the Secondary Science Classroom towards these remaining credits. No more than 12 semester hours of 400-level courses may be counted toward the 31 semester hours of credit required for the master’s degree.

Master of Science in Biology (non-thesis): In addition to completing BIOL 593 and BIOL 515, candidates must complete 27 semester hour credits, including at least one capstone experimental course.  The capstone course may be either three credits of internship (BIOL 609) or three credits of graduate research (BIOL 605, BIOL 606).  This should normally be undertaken during the second year of enrollment for full-time students, or after at least 18 credits have been accumulated in the program.  If opting for internship, students are strongly encouraged to complete this during the summer.  A maximum of 6 total credits of internship, research, or a combination of internship and research may be counted toward the degree.  For students simultaneously pursuing secondary certification, student teaching (EDFN 495) may be counted as the capstone experience, but no credit will be awarded for this toward the M.S. in Biology degree. 

Master of Science in Biology (thesis): In addition to completing BIOL 593 and BIOL 515, candidates must complete 27 semester hour credits including six semester hour credits of Thesis I and Thesis II (BIOL 612 and BIOL 613). Candidates may also elect up to three of these 27 semester hour credits  as graduate research (BIOL 605, 606) or internship (BIOL 609).

  1. All candidates must complete 31 semester hour credits with a 3.0 QPA in a program of study and research approved by the student’s special committee.
  2. The thesis must be written in manuscript style format with any material not appropriate for a scientific manuscript (i.e., voluminous tables) included as appendices. The specific style will depend on the requirements of the individual journal to which the manuscript will be submitted.
  3. An oral thesis defense, advertised and open to the university community, is required.
  4. A formal seminar based on the thesis research must be presented to the biology department by thesis candidates.
  5. One copy of the thesis will be housed in the biology department office.

  • BIOL 406 - Mammalogy Credits: 3
  • BIOL 408 - Principles of Virology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 409 - Immunology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 412 - Ichthyology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 417 - Herpetology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 418 - Molecular Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 419 - Ornithology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 425 - Biota of Florida Credits: 3
  • BIOL 430 - Principles of Evolution Credits: 3
  • BIOL 442 - Aquatic Ecology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 444 - Conservation Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 448 - Field Botany and Plant Taxonomy Credits: 3
  • BIOL 450 - Endocrinology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 461 - Techniques in Biotechnology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 491 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 1-3
  • BIOL 492 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 494 - Field Research Techniques Credits: 3
  • BIOL 495 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 496 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 497 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 498 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 514 - Aquatic Entomology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 515 - Scientific Communication in Biology Credits: 1
  • BIOL 520 - Plant Ecology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 522 - Community Ecology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 524 - Evolutionary Development Credits: 3
  • BIOL 526 - Medical Microbiology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 428 - Entomology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 541 - Ecosystems Credits: 3
  • BIOL 545 - Wildlife Diseases Credits: 3
  • BIOL 547 - Wetland Ecology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 555 - Comparative Environmental Physiology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 559 - Evolutionary Ecology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 577 - Ecomorphology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 592 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 593 - Biometry Credits: 3
  • BIOL 594 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 1-3
  • BIOL 595 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 596 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 598 - Selected Topics in Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 599 - Independent Study Credits: 3
  • BIOL 605 - Graduate Research I Credits: 1-3
  • BIOL 606 - Graduate Research II Credits: 1-3
  • BIOL 609 - Internship Credits: 3
  • BIOL 610 - Internship II Credits: 3
  • BIOL 612 - Thesis I Credits: 3
  • BIOL 613 - Thesis II Credits: 3

Note: BIOL 515, BIOL 593, BIOL 612, BIOL 613: Required

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the application and transcript(s), Biology applicants must submit:

  • Program statement - a 500-word statement describing your long-term goals with respect to a master's degree in Biology, and how your goals will be influenced by this degree.

Applicants must also:

  • Have completed at least 33 credits of undergraduate biology or biology-related courses, e.g., forestry, horticulture, environmental studies
  • Have taken at least three chemistry courses with labs, including both inorganic and organic chemistry or biochemistry. In addition, it is recommended applicants have completed a course in evolution, mathematics through calculus, and one year of physics. 

  • Have taken at least two physical science classes with labs (including at least one in chemistry)

The English language proficiency test scores requirement for the Biology program are as follows:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 80 (internet-based test)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
  • Duolingo: 105
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Contact the Department of Biology

142 Franklin Science Center   1871 Old Main Drive   Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1401