MS Biology at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

The MS in Biology at USD offers hands-on research and leadership training, with students tailoring the degree to areas such as ecology, physiology, molecular biology and genetics. Thesis and non-thesis tracks are available on the Vermillion main campus.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences | Department: Department of Biology | Duration: 2 years suggested; 30-32 credit hours depending on thesis or non-thesis track | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

Areas include aquatic and terrestrial ecology, conservation biology, sustainability, ecotoxicology, plant and animal physiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, cell and developmental biology, and genetics and evolution.

Career pathways

Careers in conservation, terrestrial ecology, sustainability and neuroscience; federal or state agencies and NGOs; industry; teaching in secondary and higher education; further graduate study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide graduate (international applicants): English proficiency minimum of TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS Academic 6.0, Duolingo English Test 110 or PTE 53 (applicants with a conferred degree from certain English-speaking countries are exempt); official transcripts, statement of purpose, resume and letters of recommendation (number varies by programme); $38 non-refundable application fee. Programme-specific requirements and deadlines vary by department.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate programmes admit for Fall and Spring terms; some programmes do not admit for the spring term and some have earlier deadlines (see the graduate catalog per programme).

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

International graduate applicants, Spring 2027: December 5 for MAcc, MBA and MS Business Analytics, and December 5 for MS AI and Computer Science. Fall 2027: July 15 for MS AI and Computer Science and August 1 for MAcc, MBA and MS Business Analytics. Other programmes have deadlines listed in the graduate catalog.

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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