Biological Sciences MS
- Master's
- MS
- In-Person
- Online
- Greeley
- Online
- Non-Thesis
- Thesis
Program Overview
Advance your career in biological sciences with a master’s degree that combines top-tier research facilities, expert faculty mentorship and flexible program options. Whether you’re preparing for doctoral studies, advancing your teaching credentials or deepening your expertise in a specialized area of biology, UNC’s MS in Biological Sciences provides the knowledge, skills and research experience you need to excel.
Located at the junction of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, UNC offers unparalleled opportunities for field research across remarkably diverse ecosystems. You’ll work in a $42 million science facility featuring state-of-the-art research labs and computing technology while building strong collaborative relationships with faculty who serve as teachers, mentors and colleagues.
Flexible Program Options
Choose between thesis and non-thesis tracks, with on-campus or online delivery available for non-thesis students. Design a program of study that fits your schedule and career objectives.
The thesis option prepares you for doctoral programs, research careers or positions in biotechnology and government agencies. You’ll receive extensive training in laboratory techniques, field methods and research methodologies, with flexibility to focus your studies on areas of greatest interest to you. This research-intensive program culminates in an independent research project and oral defense of your thesis. Complete 30 credits over four semesters on the Greeley campus.
The non-thesis option offers maximum flexibility to build subject-matter expertise that supports your professional development. This program is ideal for biology and science teachers seeking to deepen their content knowledge, as well as professionals in biomedical careers looking to advance their expertise in rapidly changing fields. Complete 30 credits through coursework and a written comprehensive evaluation administered by your advisor. Available on campus in Greeley or fully online through UNC Extended Campus. On-campus students can complete the program in as little as one year.
You’ll Need:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (or equivalent foreign degree)
- 3.0 GPA or higher on your most recent completed degree (or current degree in progress)
- If you’ve completed a master’s degree or 18+ graduate credits, your graduate GPA will be used
- If you’re still finishing your bachelor’s, you must submit your final official transcript in your first semester
- Applicants with a final GPA below 3.0 may be assigned additional program requirements
Application Materials:
- Completed online application ($50 fee waived for UNC students and alumni)
- Official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree institution
- Three letters of recommendation
- You may choose to submit standardized test scores
- Personal statement (letter of intent) explaining your interest in graduate school
- A curriculum vitae or resume that details your experience in the field in preparation for graduate school
Why Choose UNC?
Personalized Faculty Mentorship
Work closely with experienced faculty who provide academic and professional guidance tailored to your career goals. Build relationships that extend beyond the classroom into your professional network.
Active Research Community
Collaborate with faculty investigators conducting ongoing projects in laboratory and field settings. Work alongside fellow students and visiting scientists on research that advances the field.
Diverse Research Opportunities
Take advantage of Colorado's unique location where plains meet mountains, providing access to varied ecosystems for field studies in ecology, evolution, mammalogy and environmental biology.
Career Outcomes
A master’s degree in biological sciences opens doors across dynamic industries where advanced science expertise is in high demand. UNC faculty and advisors work closely with you to tailor your studies toward specific career outcomes in fields including:
- Healthcare and medicine
- Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
- Environmental sciences and conservation
- Food science and agriculture
- Energy and sustainability
- Government agencies and research institutions
- Higher education and STEM teaching
What You’ll Learn
Core Competencies
- Advanced laboratory and field research techniques
- Research design and methodology
- Scientific writing and oral presentation
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Critical evaluation of scientific literature
- In-depth content knowledge in specialized areas of biological sciences
Sample Courses
- Foundations of Biological Research
- Genomics
- Cell Physiology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab
- Mammalogy
- Species and Speciation
- Biomedical Sciences
- Ecology and Evolution
Spotlight: Current Student Research
Student Research Feature
UNC's top-notch research facilities attracted Raznin Joly to the Biological Sciences M.S. – Thesis Concentration program. She was eager to learn lab techniques and research methodologies and was especially keen on Associate Professor Yuyan Han's liver inflammation and disease research.
Raznin Joly
Biological Sciences MS – Thesis Concentration program
Have questions? We're here to help!
Biological Sciences
Biology is the study of life. Where did the first organisms come from and how has life changed over millennia? How do we function as individuals – what makes us respond differently to temperature or disease? Biology seeks to understand how organisms function in a changing environment.
- biology@unco.edu
- 970-351-2921
- Ross Hall Room 2480