Master of Science in Biology

The master’s degree in biology is a 32 credit-hour program that prepares you to pursue a professional career or doctoral studies in biology.

Taking Your Future Forward

Why should you consider Bradley’s biology master’s degree? As a Bradley graduate student, you’ll refine and apply your research skills through the study of advanced concepts, a yearlong research-based thesis, and a comprehensive oral exam. You can earn your degree two ways at Bradley: take the traditional graduate two-year path or enroll in the five-year integrated degree as a Bradley undergraduate. If you’re interested in the accelerated degree, you apply as a junior and begin graduate courses as a senior.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Learn more about graduate admission standards and application requirements on our Requirements page.

Program Admission Requirements

• Official GRE score sent directly to the Office of Admission by the testing agency. Bradley’s institutional code for score reporting is 1070.
• Completion of the following coursework:
  • 16 semester hours of biology beyond first year biology
  • One semester of organic chemistry
  • One semester of physics
  • One semester of calculus

Graduate Program Requirements

Required Courses - 7 hrs.

• BIO 500: Thesis Proposal Preparation - 1 hr.
• BIO 699: Thesis - 6 hrs.

Elective Courses Group A - 15 hrs.

• BIO 502: Biometry - 3 hrs.
• BIO 503: Molecular Genetics - 3 hrs.
• BIO 505: Topics in Bioethics - 3 hrs.
• BIO 506: Advanced Microbiology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 508: Advanced Bacterial Pathogenesis - 3 hrs.
• BIO 509: Human Genetics - 3 hrs.
• BIO 517: Environmental Physiology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 519: Comparative Animal Behavior - 3 hrs.
• BIO 520: Advanced Ecosystems Ecology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 525: Advanced Physiology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 526: Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 527: Physiology of Anesthesia - 3 hrs.
• BIO 530: Plant Systematics - 3 hrs.
• BIO 540: Evolution - 3 hrs.
• BIO 550: Conservation Biology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 563: Advanced Plant Ecology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 564: Advanced Cell Biology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 568: Cellular and Molecular Immunology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 575: Special Graduate Topics in Biology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 582: Endocrinology - 3 hrs.
• BIO 583: Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Regeneration - 3 hrs.
• BIO 584: Neurophysiology - 3 hrs.

Elective Courses Group B - 10 hrs.

• BIO 580: Reading - 1-6 hrs.
• BIO 585: Research - 1-6 hrs.
• BIO 681: Readings - 1-6 hrs.
• BIO 683: Research - 1-6 hr

Note: A total of 12 hours must be at the 600 level.