Biology Courses

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.


Program Core Requirements

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

BIO 445Advanced Methods in Molecular Biology
BIO 470Research Rotation
BIO 490Departmental Seminar
BIO 498Internship (M.A. Students)
BIO 499Master’s Research (M.S. Students)
MATH 423BBiostatistical Analysis

Molecular Biology Core Courses

BIO 403Tissue Culture
BIO 407Microbial/Molecular Genetics
BIO 421Advanced Cell Biology
BIO 479Bioinformatics
BIO 443Advanced Molecular Biology
BIO 481Advanced Virology

Biomedical Science Core Courses

BIO 418Environmental Health
BIO 441Immunology
BIO 446Environmental Toxicology
BIO 415Animal Nutrition

Ecology and Evolution Core Courses

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

Elective Courses

BIO 401Histology
BIO 441Immunology
BIO 444General Toxicology
BIO 480Special Topics
BIO 404Tissue Culture
BIO 415Animal Nutrition
BIO 500Maintaining Matriculation

View all courses offered and read full course descriptions in our online course catalog system.

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