Biology, B.A. | M.S. | Programs

The 4+1 Accelerated Master’s in Biology provides an opportunity to earn a pathway to a master’s degree — with one year of additional study and 100% tuition scholarships for the fifth year. Position yourself for career advancement as you engage with graduate students and network with working professionals.

Accelerated Master’s, STEM

Researchers working in the EPIC greenhouse, Clark University

Why pursue the 4+1 Accelerated Master’s in Biology?

The M.S. program in biology allows for a more in-depth study of biology, primarily by completion of a research project. Students work in conjunction with faculty in an area of research that is closely aligned with both the student’s interests and the faculty member’s research. Our research areas include molecular and cell biology, and ecology and evolution.

The program’s intimate size allows graduate students to collaborate, build relationships with and receive mentoring from world-class faculty.
Close ties across the sciences, including with those enrolled in our biochemistry and molecular biology and chemistry doctoral programs, exposes students to a range of ideas and research outside their interest areas.

For more information on graduate studies in biology, please browse the Ph.D. program information on the Biology Department website.

Biology PhD

Program of study

The biology master’s degree requires a total of 10 course units and a defended thesis.

Senior year

In addition to their undergraduate major requirements, students must complete two 300-level directed research courses that count toward the 10 credit master’s degree. These two courses may count toward the 32 credits needed for graduation, but not toward the undergraduate major requirements.

Students will initiate a research project with the faculty member who has agreed to work with them. Research may be conducted outside of the department as long as a faculty member in biology serves as the supervising faculty member.

Fifth year

Students must complete eight additional units at the graduate level, typically fulfilled by directed research, and the graduate seminar. The student should enroll in 2 units of 399 Directed Research in the summer between senior year and the fifth year, and then 3 units in each semester of the fifth year. These courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better.

A thesis, written under the supervision of the student’s adviser, is based on the student’s completed original research. The thesis must be successfully defended. The defense includes a public presentation and an oral examination administered by the Advisory Committee.

Advisory committee

Master’s degree candidates must have an advisory committee, which is responsible for administering the thesis defense and approving the thesis. The committee typically includes the student’s advisor, who must be a full-time or adjunct faculty member in the Biology Department, and at least two additional members that may include full-time faculty, research faculty, and post-doctoral fellows.

Careers

Our graduate level biology programs provide a solid foundation for students who want to apply their knowledge in a wide range of fields, from environmental science to biotechnology, as well as for those who want to pursue further graduate study, enter one of the health professions (medical, dental, or veterinary), or become a public school teacher.

Browse the careers section of the Biology Department website for more information.

Biology careers

Eligibility

The 4+1 Accelerated Master’s in Biology is intended for biology students and for students majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, environmental science/environmental and conservation biology. Students should be in contact with a biology faculty member regarding their research interests no later than the beginning of the junior year.

Students are required to meet with the accelerated B.A. | M.S. adviser as a formal part of the admissions process. This meeting is intended to assist prospective students in assessing the appropriateness of the degree to their professional aspirations. The student should apply to the MS program by April 15 of their junior year.

Explore the Accelerated Master’s in Biology

4+1 Accelerated Master’s

Department of Biology

Faculty

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Program director

Professor Néva Meyer
Lasry Center for Bioscience
508-793-7476
nmeyer@clarku.edu

Your academic adviser will be the faculty person with whom you are conducting your research.

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