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 36 credit hours plus a research thesis. 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 36 credits of coursework in Biology plus either a literature review or an internship. 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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View all courses offered and read full course descriptions in our online course catalog system.

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