Biology, MS
Science, Scientist, approved for STEM-OPT extension, cell, molecular, plant, sols
Deepen your knowledge of the life sciences and build strong conceptual foundations in frontier areas of modern biology.
The Master of Science program in biology is a flexible degree program based around a student's individual interests, enabling them to explore areas of biology that exist outside of traditional boundaries. This degree complements other, more specialized life sciences programs, allowing both interdisciplinary and traditional approaches.
This program currently admits students to a thesis-based pathway, an applied project pathway, or a coursework and capstone option. Students in the thesis pathway receive hands-on training and craft an individualized plan of study focused specifically on their own research interests. They work closely with an advisor from ASU's faculty of top-tier scientists and conduct research at the forefront of their field. Students develop foundational research skills in the course of designing and completing their own research project.
In the coursework and capstone pathway, students build an individualized curriculum from a wide variety of courses taught by global experts. In their final semester, they delve more deeply into their own area of interest by completing a capstone project. While students have flexibility in the choice of their topic, they will need to adhere to the project requirements (e.g., a literature review or research proposal) of the capstone course. This option is ideal for students who do not need intensive research training but want to deepen and expand their biological knowledge and skills. With permission of the program director, students may complete an applied project instead of a capstone. The coursework and capstone pathway is also available in an online format.
The applied project pathway is an alternative option to the capstone pathway where a student completes the applied project course under the mentorship of a single faculty member on a project that can be completed in one semester (e.g., extended literature review, analysis of a dataset, etc.). Students must secure a SOLS faculty mentor willing to guide their project and complete the applied project proposal form (due by the last day of class the semester before the student plans to enroll in the applied project course). The final product of the applied project is either a written report or a presentation, and the faculty mentor assigns the grade. Students should note: the program cannot help students find mentors. Students can transition into this pathway mid-program if they secure a mentor.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours - course-based master's, or
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (BIO 593), or
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (BIO 597)
COURSE-BASED OPTION Required Core (1 credit hour) Other Requirements (2 credit hours) Electives (27 credit hours) OPTIONS WITH CULMINATING EXPERIENCE Required Core (1 credit hour) Other Requirements (2 credit hours) Electives (21, 24 or 27 credit hours) Culminating Experience (0, 3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The thesis option is best suited for students who wish to pursue original research under the close mentorship of a faculty advisor. The capstone option is best suited for students who want to develop expertise in a specific area of biology through an individualized curriculum and a focused, discipline-specific written project. The applied project option is best suited for students who wish to apply scientific methods and reasoning to a real-world problem or professional context. The written comprehensive exam option is a good fit for students who prefer an examination-based demonstration of their knowledge or who need flexibility in how they complete their degree. The course-based option is also a strong option for science communicators, journalists, or educators who already possess strong communication skills and wish to deepen their biological content expertise, as well as for professionals working in industry, government, or biology-adjacent fields who wish to broaden or update their scientific knowledge to better serve in their current or future roles. The number of credit hours required for the electives depends on the culminating experience chosen; all students must complete 30 credit hours to complete this program.
BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1) or
BIO 611 Current Topics in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in the Life Sciences (1)
BIO 541 SOLS Seminar Series (1)
BIO 542 SOLS Current Topics in the Life Sciences (1)
BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1) or
BIO 611 Current Topics in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in the Life Sciences (1)
BIO 541 SOLS Seminar Series (1)
BIO 542 SOLS Current Topics in the Life Sciences (1)
BIO 593 Applied Project (3)
BIO 597 Capstone (3)
BIO 599 Thesis (6)
written comprehensive exam (0)
This master's degree offers a course-based option. Students choose one of the culminating experience options listed above.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in biology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants must submit the following:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- academic record form
- personal statement
- curriculum vitae or resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
It is desired that applicants have research experience.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Synthesize current scientific literature relevant to a topic in their chosen area of life sciences.
- Develop a life sciences research plan relevant to their degree pathway that addresses a significant scientific question about their chosen area of biology.
- Employ principles of ethical research conduct to the design, analysis, and communication of biological research topics of their interest.
Graduates are prepared for life sciences careers in educational, medical, industrial and governmental institutions.
The thesis pathway is ideal for those pursuing research-intensive careers in academic or business settings. The coursework and capstone option is for those seeking careers in which deeper biological knowledge is valuable, such as secondary school teachers reaching for higher certifications, biotechnicians who want to add conceptual depth or analytical abilities to their laboratory skills, and writers who want to expand their scientific expertise.
Career examples include:
- food, agriculture and health care scientist in an academic, private or industrial lab
- instructor at a community college
- researcher or technician in a government lab or at a nonprofit organization
- science teacher at an elementary or high school
- science writer
- wildlife, animal or conservation scientist
School of Life Sciences
|
LSA 181
On Campus: sols.grad@asu.edu
ASU Online: solsonline.grad@asu.edu
480-965-1768
Admission deadlines
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
