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MS in Biology

ISC - Long Island University, Brooklyn, United States

ms-in-biology

Next enrollment cycle

September 2023

See all cycles

First Year Course Fee

USD 27,108

Course Accredited By

MSCHE

  • 2 Years
  • On Campus
  • Postgraduate
  • Degree
  • Up to 11% scholarship
The M.S. in Biology is designed to prepare students for graduate or professional studies as well as for entering the job market. Students can pursue a general Masters degree or choose from one of three concentrations: molecular/cellular biology, microbiology or medical microbiology. Students choosing the general Masters degree design their course of study, with the approval of their advisor, and can vary from sustainability, ecology, systematics, environmental studies, or development biology.
Students may choose one of two pathways to complete the degree: (1) complete a research project under the advisement of one of the faculty members, and write and successfully defend a thesis based upon that research; or (2) take a comprehensive examination based upon the course work completed. The general Masters degree and the three concentrations have sets of required core courses (see Course of Study) which the student must complete; additional course work is completed from elective classes.

Students who elect to complete a thesis must complete a total of 30 credits (core plus electives). Students who elect to take the comprehensive examination must complete a total of 36 credits (core plus electives). For qualified students, financial aid packages are available in the form of graduate assistantships for teaching and research. These assistantships provide a stipend for the student and cover the cost of tuition for up to 9 credits per semester. Students can receive these assistantships for a maximum of four semesters.

A master of science degree can be used as a steppingstone for multiple career paths. Students may further their scientific pursuits by continuing on to earn a Ph.D. in the biological sciences. Alternatively, students may enter the work force and be employed in research laboratories in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals and federal and state agencies.

Successful graduates also may choose to enter medical, osteopathic, veterinary or dental schools to obtain professional degrees. In addition, students can choose from a wide variety of health related fields, such as physical therapy, nursing, genetic counseling, radiologic technology, to name a few. Biology majors are encouraged to develop specific career objectives while pursuing their graduate studies. Departmental advisers will assist students in exploring career possibilities and in devising a personalized plan of study that will best prepare them for their career goals.

Enrollment Cycles

  • September 2023

Entry requirements
Graduate
Direct Admission

  • TOEFL (iBT) 79 or 85 (varies by program)
  • IELTS 6.0 (School of Pharmacy)
  • Pearson (PTE) 58
  • Pearson Versant Not Accepted
  • Duolingo Not Accepted
  • Gao Kao English 90 (Post) 100 - 105(Brooklyn)
  • GPA: 2.0 – 2.5

English Language Institute

  • TOEFL (iBT) 56 - 78
  • IELTS 5.5 – 6 Overall
  • Pearson (PTE) 45 - 57
  • Pearson Versant Not Accepted
  • Duolingo Not Accepted
  • Gao Kao English Under 90 (Post) Under 100 (Brooklyn)
  • GPA: 2.5 – 3.0

Biology, Microbiology (Plan I)
The following courses are required:

  • BIO 536 Laboratory in Bacteriological and Molecular Techniques 1.00hrs
  • BIO 537 Laboratory in Biochemistry and Computer Use 1.00hrs
  • BIO 620 Biochemistry 3.00hrs
  • BIO 641 Advanced Microbiology 3.00hrs
  • BIO 642 Advanced Microbiology 4.00hrs
  • BIO 695 General Virology 3.00hrs

Student must complete either Option A or Option B.

Thesis Track (Option A):
The minimum credit requirement for thesis track (Option A) is 30 credits. In addition to the courses listed above (15 credits), the following is required:
Thesis courses:

  • BIO 707 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs
  • BIO 708 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs

• A total of 9 credits in electives from graduate biology courses:

  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 

Comprehensive Exam Track (Option B):
The minimum credit requirement for comprehensive exam track (Option B) is 36 credits. In addition to the courses listed above (15 credits), the following is required:
21 credits from graduate biology courses:

  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 
  • Biology, Medical Microbiology (Plan II)

The following courses are required:

  • BIO 536 Laboratory in Bacteriological and Molecular Techniques 1.00hrs
  • BIO 537 Laboratory in Biochemistry and Computer Use 1.00hrs
  • BIO 620 Biochemistry 3.00hrs

All of the following courses are required:

  • BIO 641 Advanced Microbiology 3.00hrs
  • BIO 642 Advanced Microbiology 4.00hrs
  • BIO 695 General Virology 3.00hrs
  • BIO 697 Medical Microbiology 3.00hrs
  • BIO 698 Medical Microbiology 4.00hrs
  • BIO 703 Seminar in Microbiology 1.00hrs
  • BIO 704 Seminar in Microbiology 1.00hrs

Of the following courses only one (1) is required:

  • BIO 647 Immunology 4.00hrs
  • BIO 648 Immunology 3.00hrs

Student must complete either Option A or Option B.

Thesis Track (Option A):
The minimum credit requirement for thesis track (Option A) is 30 credits. In addition to the courses listed above (27 credits), the following course is required:
Thesis courses:

  • BIO 707 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs

Comprehensive Exam Track (Option B):
The minimum credit requirement for comprehensive exam track (Option B) is 36 credits. In addition to the courses listed above, the following is required:
9 credits of electives from graduate biology courses:

  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 
  • Biology, Molecular-Cellular Biology (Plan III)

The following courses are required:

  • BIO 536 Laboratory in Bacteriological and Molecular Techniques 1.00hrs
  • BIO 537 Laboratory in Biochemistry and Computer Use 1.00hrs
  • BIO 620 Biochemistry 3.00hrs

The following courses are required:

  • BIO 550 Molecular and Cell Biology 2.00hrs
  • BIO 551 Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory 2.00hrs
    Of the following courses only one (1) is required:
  • BIO 612 Cytology: The Nucleus 3.00hrs
  • BIO 613 Cytology: The Cytoplasm 3.00hrs

Of the following courses only one (1) is required:

  • BIO 609 Human Genetics 3.00hrs
  • BIO 631 Genetics 3.00hrs

Student must complete either Option A or Option B.

Thesis Track (Option A):
The minimum credit requirement for thesis track (Option A) is 30 credits. In addition to the courses listed above (15 credits), the following courses are required:
• Thesis courses:

  • BIO 707 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs
  • BIO 708 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs

9 credits of electives from graduate biology courses:

  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 

Comprehensive Exam Track (Option B):
The minimum credit requirement for comprehensive exam track (Option B) is 36 credits. In addition to the courses listed above, the following is required:
• 9 credits of electives from graduate biology courses:

  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 
  • Biology, General Biology (Plan IV)

The following courses are required:

  • BIO 701 Biology Seminar 1.00hrs
  • BIO 702 Biology Seminar 1.00hrs

The following courses are required:

  • In addition, all students must take a minimum of 11 credits (Option A - See below) or 17 credits (Option B - See below) from the foundation courses listed below.
  • BIO 503 Modern Concepts of Evolution 3.00hrs
  • BIO 505 Biostatistics 3.00hrs
  • BIO 536 Laboratory in Bacteriological and Molecular Techniques 1.00hrs
  • BIO 537 Laboratory in Biochemistry and Computer Use 1.00hrs
  • BIO 608 Ecology 3.00hrs
  • BIO 613 Cytology: The Cytoplasm 3.00hrs
  • BIO 620 Biochemistry 3.00hrs
  • BIO 622 Effective Communication in Science 3.00hrs
  • BIO 625 Plant Molecular Biology 3.00hrs
  • BIO 631 Genetics 3.00hrs
  • BIO 692 Molecular Biology 3.00hrs
  • Students must complete either Option A or Option B.

Thesis Track (Option A):
The minimum credit requirement for thesis track (Option A) is 30 credits. In addition to the courses listed above (13 credits), the following courses are required:
• Thesis courses:

  • BIO 707 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs
  • BIO 708 Research and Preparation of the Thesis 3.00hrs
    11 credits of electives from graduate biology courses:
  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 

Comprehensive Exam Track (Option B):
The minimum credit requirement for comprehensive exam track (Option B) is 36 credits. In addition to the courses listed above (19 credits), the following is required:
7 credits of electives from graduate biology courses:

  • BIO 500-599 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 600-699 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • BIO 700-799 all BIO Subjects listed in Biology section 
  • Internship maximum of 6 units 

     

Graduate 

Direct Admission (2 semesters - Varies by program) $23,382 - $27,108

 Estimated Room, Board & Fees $16,266 - $19,614

 *Pricing is subject to change

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