M.S. Biology at University of South Florida

Programme overview

The M.S. in Biology focuses on ecosystem health and sustainability and on the interactions among humans and other organisms in a range of environments. Students choose a concentration in Ecology and Evolution, Environmental and Ecological Microbiology, or Physiology and Morphology, and build skills in data analysis, programming (R) and biostatistics. Thesis and non-thesis options are offered.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Integrative Biology | Duration: 30 credit hours post-bachelor's; two to three years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tampa, FL, United States

What you will study

6 core hours (advances in life sciences, graduate skills in biology), at least 15 concentration hours (for example biometry, evolutionary biology, applied and environmental microbiology, molecular genetics, selected topics in physiology and marine biology), and 9 hours of either electives with a review paper (non-thesis) or seminar and thesis. A comprehensive oral qualifying examination is required.

Career pathways

Academia, NGOs, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Must meet USF graduate admission and English proficiency requirements. GRE is not required. Acceptance by a faculty member in the Integrative Biology department is mandatory. Candidates are expected to have completed coursework equivalent to the USF B.S. in Biology. Interviews may be required. Three faculty letters of recommendation and a brief essay on intended research field and professional goals listing 2-3 faculty members to review the file.

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.

Master's and Educational Specialist admission is offered for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Final university deadlines for master's and Educational Specialist programmes: June 1 for Fall, October 15 for Spring, February 15 for Summer. Programme-specific priority deadlines apply for funding and consideration; priority applications receive maximum consideration and later applications are considered on a space-available basis.

The nonrefundable graduate degree-seeking application fee is $30, paid through the Online Graduate Application site; international applicants may pay by electronic fund transfer from international banks. Test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc.) are required only if the programme requires them.

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