Program Overview

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Biology, M.S.

The Master of Science in Biology at Saint Louis University offers students the chance to gain experience in laboratory research, including experimental design, interpretation of data, and scientific writing.

Program Highlights

• The M.S. in Biology degree requires a formal research project and thesis and is excellent preparation for continued graduate studies at the doctoral level or for employment at environmental, industrial, or research companies.
• It can also lay the groundwork for careers in academic, private, or government sectors.
• Biology students at Saint Louis University have access to outstanding facilities on campus and at the University's Reis Biological Station.
• Collaborations with neighboring institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, the University of MissouriSt. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Zoo, and the Danforth Plant Science Center further expand possibilities for biological research and learning.

Curriculum Overview

The M.S. in Biology requires at least 30 post-baccalaureate credits, six credits of which will be thesis research.

Careers

Past students in SLU's biology master's program have gone on to medical school or further study in doctoral programs and careers as research scientists, teachers, college faculty, and in various capacities in pharmaceutical companies and government agencies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should possess adequate undergraduate preparation in biology or a related discipline with a minimum 3.0 GPA in science and math courses. Research experience can bolster applications when the 3.0 GPA minimum is not met.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Interview (desired)

Requirements for International Students

All Saint Louis University admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students applying to SLU must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate English language proficiency
• Academic records must include an English translation. Unofficial copies may be accepted in some cases for initial admission review; however, official copies must be received prior to enrollment. Course-by-course transcript evaluations are accepted.
• Students must submit financial documents to be issued an I-20 for their F-1 visa application. Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Tuition

Tuition per credit: $1,400

Scholarships, Assistantships, and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.

Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will be able to critically analyze primary literature articles by evaluating the scientific contributions of peer-reviewed publications in biology.
• Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional integrity.
• Graduates will be able to use appropriate instrumentation and analytical methods to collect data.
• Graduates will be able to draw statistically valid conclusions from quantitative data.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Biology degree requires a minimum of 30 credits, including 24 credits of structured coursework and six credits of thesis research. Courses may be chosen from upper-level electives within SLU's Department of Biology or related departments; coursework may be tailored to the research interests in consultation with advisory committees of students.

Required Courses

• BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (taken twice for 1 credit hour each time)
• BIOL 5860: Scientific Communication
• BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (6 credits distributed over multiple semesters)
• BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (must be taken each semester enrolled)

Elective Courses

Electives can be selected from any 4000-level or higher courses in biology or related areas (subject to limits on 4000-level, 5970, and 5980 credit hours). Among the courses that can be taken as electives are:

• BIOL 4090: Plant Ecology
• BIOL 4100: Natural History of Vertebrates
• BIOL 4120: Field Botany
• BIOL 4130: Field Mammalogy
• BIOL 4140: Field Ornithology
• BIOL 4160: Microbial Ecology and Molecular Evolution
• BIOL 4200: Aquatic Ecology
• BIOL 4260: Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles
• BIOL 4280: Biology of Fishes
• BIOL 4320: Cave Biology
• BIOL 4330: Spring Flora of the Ozarks
• BIOL 4360: Animal Behavior
• BIOL 4370: Animal Behavior Lab
• BIOL 4410: Comparative Animal Physiology
• BIOL 4440: Vertebrate Histology: Structure and Function of Tissues
• BIOL 4480: Conservation Biology
• BIOL 4510:
• BIOL 4540: Human Systemic Physiology
• BIOL 4640: General Microbiology
• BIOL 4650: General Microbiology Laboratory
• BIOL 4720: Cancer Biology
• BIOL 4910: Internship in Conservation
• BIOL 4912: Internship in Plant Science
• BIOL 5000: Problems in Vertebrate Morphology
• BIOL 5030: Genomics
• BIOL 5050: Molecular Techniques Lab
• BIOL 5070: Advanced Biological Chemistry
• BIOL 5080: Advanced Cell Biology
• BIOL 5090: Biometry
• BIOL 5190: Geographic Information Systems in Biology
• BIOL 5350: Current Topics in Cell Biology
• BIOL 5400: Problems in Genetics
• BIOL 5480: Conservation Biology
• BIOL 5550: Advanced Ecology
• BIOL 5560: Advanced Evolution
• BIOL 5610: Principles of Develop Biology
• BIOL 5630: Concepts of Immunobiology
• BIOL 5640: Advanced Microbiology
• BIOL 5670: Advanced Population Biology
• BIOL 5700: Advanced Molecular Biology
• BIOL 5780: Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis
• BIOL 5820: Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation
• BIOL 5840: Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
• BIOL 6150: Neural Basis of Behavior

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmap

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.

General Schedule

Plan of Study Grid Year One

• Fall:
  • 4000/5000 level electives 1 (5-6 credits)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
  • BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
• Spring:
  • 4000/5000 level electives 1 (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
  • BIOL 5820 or BIOL 5840: Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation or Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5860: Scientific Communication (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
• Summer:
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (2 credits)

Year Two

• Fall:
  • 4000/5000 level electives 1 (6 credits)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
  • BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
• Spring:
  • Completion of written Thesis and Presentation of Thesis Research
  • 4000/5000 level electives 1 (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5820 or BIOL 5840: Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation or Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (2-1 credits)

Sample Schedule Cell/Molecular Biology Focus

Plan of Study Grid Year One

• Fall:
  • BIOL 5050: Molecular Techniques Lab (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5700: Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
• Spring:
  • BIOL 5070: Advanced Biological Chemistry (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5820: Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5860: Scientific Communication (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
• Summer:
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5980: Graduate Independent Study in Biology (1 credit)

Year Two

• Fall:
  • BIOL 5030: Genomics (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5640: Advanced Microbiology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
• Spring:
  • BIOL 5630: Concepts of Immunobiology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5820: Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)

Sample Schedule for Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Focus

Plan of Study Grid Year One

• Fall:
  • BIOL 5550: Advanced Ecology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5030: Genomics (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
• Spring:
  • BIOL 5110: Advanced Sex, Evolution and Behavior (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5840: Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5860: Scientific Communication (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
• Summer:
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (2 credits)

Year Two

• Fall:
  • BIOL 5480: Conservation Biology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5560: Advanced Evolution (3 credits)
  • BIOL 5800: Research Colloquium (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)
• Spring:
  • BIOL 5840: Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5###: Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Elective (2 credits)
  • BIOL 5990: Thesis Research (1 credit)
  • BIOL 5810: Department Seminar (0 credits)