What you will study
You and your faculty advisor will work together to develop a specialized course of
study for your master’s in Biology program. Choose from a variety of Biology electives,
such as:
- Organismal biology courses (e.g. entomology, herpetology, mammalogy)
- Molecular biology courses (e.g. hematology, molecular biology/technology, virology)
UCM’s master’s program in Biology has an extensive lab and research focus to master
skills across many subdisciplines of biology. You’ll perform the scientific tasks
most relevant to your area of specialization. For example, you could conduct transects
or capture-recapture studies to estimate population sizes. Learn to manage wild mammals
using drones. You could build molecular skills and learn to identify species through
genetic analysis. Microinject amphibian eggs to study developmental processes, or
study neuron function in glowing worms.
You’ll also learn multiple presentation formats and strategies to share information
with the larger scientific community.
Thesis and non-thesis tracks for the Biology MS
You can choose either the thesis or the non-thesis option, and classroom or online
course formats to match your interests while providing flexibility. The thesis track
includes required coursework paired with developing, implementing and presenting an
original research project. The non-thesis track focuses on coursework in a biological
field you’re interested in, as well as other course-based synthesis projects. This
non-thesis track may be completed fully online and can be focused on such career paths
as biotechnology, wildlife management and higher education. Alternatively, the non-thesis
path is a great way to bridge the gap between undergraduate and professional schools
such as medical school to keep advancing skills in your field.
Excellence in Biology
- A Best Value College for Biological & Biomedical Sciences (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in the Biology MS
The University of Central Missouri’s graduate Biology program offers many opportunities
to conduct research projects and get real-world experience — either on campus, near
Kansas City or virtually:
- Graduate assistantships: Apply for GA positions as a teacher or researcher to gain experience in your desired
profession and specialization.
- Updated facilities: Master the latest tools and technologies in state-of-the-art labs and at field sites
devoted to research in chemistry, molecular/cellular biology, wildlife biology and
agricultural science.
- Customized graduate research: Complete a thesis or literature review to match your research interests and career
aspirations. You’ll design and implement a research project to provide solutions to
today’s most pressing challenges and gain the experience you need to compete for Biology
master’s jobs and doctoral positions.
- Publishing credits: Work with faculty on research projects using the specialized equipment and scientific
methods required to produce publishable results in scientific journals.
- Credit for work experience: Recent work experience in your biology subdiscipline could be used as course credit
and applied to your degee.
- Leadership and networking: As an active member or leader in our on-campus biology organizations — such as The
Wildlife Society or Tri Beta Honorary Society — you’ll meet professionals in your
field, gain exposure to Biology master’s jobs and present research findings to the
scientific community.
What can you do with a master’s degree in Biology from UCM?
As a scientist, you’ll have diverse options to apply the research, analysis skills
and information you’ll develop in your master’s in Biology program studies at the
University of Central Missouri. You can use your skills to help find solutions to
the problems faced by individuals, societies and all organisms in our environments.
Biology MS degrees can lead to job opportunities in health-related industries such
as biotech, pharmaceuticals or genetics. If you like to work outdoors in natural ecosystems
and are interested in conservation or research, you may want to pursue a career as
a forester or an environmental scientist. Your UCM graduate degree will also prepare
you for Biology master’s jobs working with private firms and state or federal agencies
as a biologist.
Many UCM Biology graduate program students continue their studies to earn a Ph.D.
from a research university or apply to medical school to further specialize their
career. Teaching certification is another option for UCM graduates of the master’s
in Biology program.
UCM’s Biology MS prepares you for multiple career opportunities
Use the interactive tool below to explore potential salaries and career pathways open
to you with a Biology master’s degree.
Financial assistance options for your Biology MS degree
The University of Central Missouri offers numerous resources for finance your graduate education. As a Biology master’s student, you may qualify for general university awards and
scholarships. You could also apply for a graduate teaching or research assistantship,
which provides a stipend to offset costs for tuition and other college expenses.
Beyond the general scholarships available through the University of Central Missouri,
some grants and scholarships are available specifically for students in the Biology
graduate program. These include:
- UCM Graduate Scholars Grant
- Steve Mills and Steve Wilson Field Research Grant
- Kathryn Eydt Payne Scholarship
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships with the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Exceptional Facilities
Conduct research in real-world settings
Our campuses in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit have dedicated labs for Biology graduate
program coursework and research. UCM also features a 3,800-sq-ft animal/aquatic research
facility and the Pertle Springs Nature Preserve, a 300-acre on-campus fieldwork lab
and outdoor classroom. Students use the research boat, field truck, canoes and high-tech
drone in fieldwork at the preserve.
Meet Alex P.
MS Biology ’13 - IT Project Manager, Missouri Department of Conservation
“The Biology MS degree at UCM allowed me to pursue a career in natural resource work
and to branch out into the information technology field. The curriculum and research
developed my skills in technical writing, presentation and public speaking, scientific
literature review, statistical analysis and teamwork, and I regularly use them.”
Meet Our Faculty
Published experts in specialized research areas
The UCM Biology graduate program faculty conduct externally funded research for public,
private and government sectors. Faculty publishing credits include scientific journals
such as the British Journal of Medicine, Journal of Developmental Biology, Biotechniques,
Developmental Cell, PLoS ONE, Journal of Insect Conservation, Journal of Wildlife
Mangement and Journal of Fish Biology.
Faculty Research Areas
Meet David P.
MS Biology ’12 - Assistant biology professor
“I credit UCM with a lot of my success. I was fairly quiet and reserved when I transferred
to UCM, but my professors welcomed me and their support helped me find my way as a
scientist. The hands-on experience is very valuable and UCM exposes students to a
wide diversity of courses. The program allowed me to be competitive for other degrees
and jobs.”
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Program Requirements
MS Thesis Option
For the thesis option, students are responsible for completing an original research
project, a written thesis, a committee defense of their thesis and a public presentation
near completion of the program. These projects often span two years, and we encourage
students to publish their thesis research in peer-reviewed journals. Students must
complete a minimum of 30 units of graduate coursework to complete the thesis option.
MS Non-thesis Option
For the non-thesis option, students will focus on coursework and on broad issues rather
than a specific research project. Students must complete a minimum of 33 units of
graduate coursework to complete the non-thesis option.
How to Apply
Before applying for admission to UCM Graduate Studies, you should contact a faculty
member in the Biology MS program whose research matches your research interests. Students
must have an advisor sponsor their application prior to being accepted into the Biology
MS program. Any questions about the process should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator.
Your faculty advisor can assist with the application process as well. Additional information
regarding requirements for the program can be found under “Program Details” or by
contacting the Graduate Coordinator.
When a faculty advisor is obtained, you should apply for admission to Graduate Studies at UCM. After acceptance to UCM Graduate Studies you are then eligible to apply to
any graduate program at UCM, including the Biology MS program. You should initiate
your application through that pathway, and Graduate Studies staff will forward your
application to the Biology Program directly.
