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Biology (MS)
The Master of Science in Biology at Bradley University is designed to elevate your research skills and scientific expertise through advanced coursework, hands-on research, and close faculty mentorship. Whether you choose the traditional two-year path or the five-year integrated BS/MS option, you’ll engage in meaningful research that culminates in a thesis, a comprehensive oral exam, and opportunities to present at conferences or publish in scientific journals. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, this program prepares you for careers in research, education, healthcare—or to continue your studies at top-tier institutions.
Advance your understanding and extend your undergraduate Biology education into a Master of Science that continues the experiential learning curriculum.
Experiential Learning
Bradley’s MS in Biology provides hands-on research experiences that prepare you for careers in science and academia. The program emphasizes collaboration and professional development, offering opportunities to:
- Conduct original research through a year-long, research-based thesis project.
- Present findings at local, regional, and national conferences.
- Publish research in scientific journals.
- Build connections with faculty and fellow scientists to expand your professional network.
Career Opportunities
Whether you’re a scientist, physician, educator, or veterinarian, an MS in Biology from Bradley hones your skills and opens doors. Recent graduates have progressed on to:
- Impactful Careers – With organizations like Monsanto and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Prestigious Institutions – Like Purdue University and University of Illinois Veterinary School.
Program Details
This is a 30-hour program that builds on your Bradley biology degree and research experience as an undergraduate. The BS/MS is a five-year combined degree that lets you begin graduate work in your senior year. It sharpens your research skills as you complete advanced undergraduate biology courses.
You can apply as a junior and take your final undergraduate courses while starting graduate studies. The program concludes with a comprehensive oral exam, thesis, defense, and public seminar.
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 hrs.)