Biology
    Go to University of Massachusetts Boston

    Biology

    University of Massachusetts Boston
    University of Massachusetts Boston
    United States of America
    United States of America, Boston
    University Rank:#1162
    Go to Official Website
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 14,403 / Semester
    Next IntakeSeptember 5, 2023

    Biology

    About

    Program of Study | Research Facilities | Admission Requirements | Transfer Credit Policy | Costs and Financial Aid

    The Master of Science Program in Biology

    This master's program is designed to accommodate students with various backgrounds in science who wish rigorous training leading to the MS degree. It offers research and study in a wide variety of areas. Faculty have expertise in the following areas: cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, physiology, plant sciences, population biology, and evolutionary biology.

    Prospective applicants may also be interested in several academic offerings involving cooperation between the Biology Department and the School for the Environment. In addition, the Biology Department offers a master of science program in biotechnology and biomedical sciences.

    Program of Study

    Students in the MS Program in Biology must complete 30 graduate credits (20 in course work and 10 in research), which culminates in a research-based thesis. In unusual cases, permission can be sought to replace the research-based thesis with a library-based thesis. A faculty advisor assists each student in selecting a cohesive program of study and in identifying an appropriate research project for their thesis. We have a diverse faculty with strong and active research programs in molecular biology, cell biology, environmental biology, organismal biology, and evolutionary biology. Please review our faculty interests and course offerings to see if our program fits your needs.

    Research Facilities

    Extensive resources are available to students in the program for advanced study in behavior, biochemistry, conservation biology, cytology, developmental cell biology, genetics, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, and plant and animal physiology.

    Among the program's facilities are research laboratories, instrument rooms, warm and cold environment rooms and growth chambers, greenhouses, animal quarters, and vehicles and boats for field work. The Biology Department manages the University Environmental Genomics Center with DNA sequencing, Phosphorimaging and Real-time PCR capabilities. Biology also manages the new Biology Imaging Center with confocal and fluorescent as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Research labs are well equipped with a variety of standard and specialized equipment including chromatographs, mass spectrometers, a variety of spectrophotometers, an amino acid analyzer, preparative and ultracentrifuges, beta/gamma counters, filmless autoradiography, tissue culture facilities, cryogenic and ultra cold storage, and a CO2 gas analyzer. A wide variety of microcomputers and printers is available throughout the University.

    The university's campus is on Boston Harbor, where programs focusing on the biology of the harbor environment and terrestrial biology are emphasized. The university's Nantucket Field Station offers further resources for research in aquatic and terrestrial biology.

    Admission Requirements

    • Submission of the graduate admissions application form.
    • A distinguished undergraduate transcript; competitive students generally have at least a 3.0 overall GPA although lower grades can be acceptable.
    • A bachelor's degree or its equivalent, from a 4-year college or university of recognized standing.
    • Official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate work. 
    • Three letters of recommendation.
    • Submissions of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Combined Aptitude Test.

    Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL official test score) is required for international applicants. For more information regarding minimal TOEFL scores go to Graduate Admissions.
    The stated interests of a prospective student must coincide to an acceptable degree with the faculty specialties represented in the program. The Biology Graduate Committee in conjunction with the Director of Graduate Programs in Biology is responsible for reviewing applications and for recommending candidates to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

    Transfer Credit Policy

    Applicants who have completed appropriate graduate course work at other accredited institutions may transfer the equivalent of six credits toward UMass Boston graduate degree requirements from courses in which the applicant received a grade of B or higher, provided these are courses that have not been used to fulfill requirements for another degree, and were completed no more than seven years before the applicant's matriculation at UMass Boston.

    Transfer credit is subject to the final approval of the graduate program director and the dean of graduate studies.

    Costs and Financial Aid

    As a public university, the costs of attending UMass Boston are moderate, especially for students who qualify as residents of Massachusetts. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, and a limited number of assistantships that provide a stipend and remission of tuition.

    For information about financial assistance please see the graduate assistance page, or write or call:

    Office of Financial Aid Services
    University of Massachusetts Boston
    100 Morrissey Blvd.
    Boston, MA 02125
    617.287.6300

    Further Information

    Please consult the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the bottom of the preceding Graduate Programs home page.

    Please note:
    All information on this website is subject to change.
    This website is neither a contract nor an offer to make a contract.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    GPA

    A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work. Please note that some programs may require a supplemental list of coursework and/or discipline specific GPA calculation. Please review your programs’ requirements to confirm.

    Bachelor's Degree

    At the time of enrollment, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent. International applicants must submit evidence that they have completed the equivalent of a regionally accredited, U.S. university-level bachelor’s degree program. Most international 3-year degrees, including the Indian Bachelor of Arts, Sciences and Commerce degrees, are not considered to be equivalent.

    Online Application and Fee

    The nonrefundable application fee is $75.

    No application fee for UMass Boston alumni! UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

    Official Transcripts

    Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits. Most transcripts can be requested electronically through the Centralized Application System (CAS). Original hardcopy transcripts must be sealed in an envelope from the issuing institution.

    Test Scores

    • Some programs require official GRE or GMAT test scores. Please review program requirements to confirm.
    • Applicants who completed undergraduate coursework outside of the United States may be required to submit English proficiency test results, even if they are permanent residents or citizen of the U.S. Please review the international applicant page.
    • UMass Boston’s institution code is 3924. We can only accept official score reports sent electronically or in hardcopy directly from the testing agency.
    • In accordance with Massachusetts state law, Office of Graduate Studies and Graduate Admissions policy permits residents of Massachusetts who have been diagnosed as developmentally disabled (including those with specific language disabilities, such as dyslexia, but not including those whose sole disability is blindness) to request a waiver of the requirement to submit GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores. To qualify for a waiver, an applicant must submit documentation of their disability. Some graduate programs require an alternative mode of assessment (e.g., a writing sample) in lieu of the standardized test score.
    • For information, contact your program of interest.

    Letters of Recommendation

    • The number of letters required varies by program. Please review program requirements. The recommenders you identify will receive an email with instructions upon submission of the online application.
    • Typically, one or more letters from former professors familiar with your academic abilities provide the strongest recommendations. Recommenders should have worked closely with the applicant in an academic, professional, or community service setting. Letters should not be written by friends or family members of the applicant. Letters should focus on the applicant’s abilities and past academic performance, while also indicating an ability to effectively complete graduate-level coursework.

    Statement of Purpose

    The statement of purpose is your opportunity to show the graduate admissions committee why you wish to pursue graduate study, as well as your specific interests and goals. In general the first part of your statement (about 300 words) shares your reason for wanting to attend graduate school while the second part (about 1200 word) indicates your specific interest and the kind of work you would like to do in your intended field. The program to which you are applying may have other instructions regarding the content and nature of this statement. You will be able to upload your Statement of Purpose to your application in .doc or .pdf form.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 61
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 90

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 75

    How to Apply

    • Choose which graduate program is the best fit.
    • Review your program’s application requirements and deadlines.
    • Submit your application, statement of purpose, and transcripts through Liaison’s Centralized Application System (CAS):
    • Graduate Nursing Application for all nursing programs
    • BusinessCAS for all College of Management programs
    • GradCAS for all other programs!
    • Order transcripts electronically in the Centralized Application System (CAS) or by requesting official hardcopies be mailed to the address for your CAS:
      • BusinessCAS Transcript Processing Center
        P.O. Box 9221
        Watertown, MA 02471
         
      • GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
        P.O. Box 9217
        Watertown, MA 02471
         
    • If GRE or GMAT scores are required for your program, request official scores be sent to the University of Massachusetts Boston (institution code 3924).
    • If you are an international applicant, please review our bachelor’s equivalency and English language proficiency requirements. If submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores, request that they be sent to the University of Massachusetts Boston (institution code 3924).
    • If we are unable to determine international degree equivalence, we may ask applicants to submit an external evaluation from the Center for Educational Documentation (www.cedevaluations.com). The foreign evaluation does not replace the official transcript requirement.

    If you need to submit other hardcopy materials or cannot send materials to a P.O. Box, you can send materials directly to our office (please allow for additional processing time):
    UMass Boston Graduate Admissions
    100 Morrissey Boulevard
    Boston, MA 02125

    Biology

    University of Massachusetts Boston

    University of Massachusetts Boston

    United States of America

    United States of America, Boston

    Go to Official Website