Advance Research and Become an Innovator

Enhance your education and master the field of biology with Nova Southeastern University’s Master of Science in Biological Sciences. This research-focused program offers strategic, hands-on learning and develops the critical thinking skills required for careers in biology. Your program culminates with a novel and significant piece of writing that communicates your scientific findings to the community at large. 

NSU’s M.S. in Biological Sciences students benefit from working alongside faculty who are experts in the field of biological sciences. Faculty research includes areas such as parasite ecology, pathogen and invasion biology, conservation genetics and ecology, biophysical computer modeling, primate and nonhuman primate genetics, antibiotic resistance, and novel antimicrobials.

 

 

Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU’s M.S. in Biological Sciences is 30 total credits to complete. This program offers a capstone and thesis path. All students are automatically accepted into the capstone path. Additional research proposal development is required to enter the thesis path.

Start Dates

Admissions is on a “rolling” basis with program start dates offered in August (Fall term), May (Summer term) and January (Winter term).

Delivery Options

Classes for the M.S. in Biological Sciences are offered at NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus and the Oceanographic campus.

Tuition

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Application Deadline

Summer 2024: Friday April 12, 2024
Fall 2024: Friday July 19, 2024
Winter 2025: Friday Nov 15, 2024

Career Outcomes

Microbiologists

$84,400 Median Salary Per Year

Biochemists and Biophysicists

$94,270 Median Salary Per Year

Postsecondary Teachers

$80,790 Median Salary Per Year

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Choose Your Path

The M.S. in Biological Sciences program offers two paths for the degree: the thesis path or the capstone path. Students are automatically accepted into the capstone path. If the thesis path interests you, additional research proposal development is required.

Concentrations for the M.S. in Biological Sciences are also available. Whether you're interested in biology, health studies, or bioinformatics, this program will provide you with the tools and the knowledge to be a caring and skilled professional. 

Health Studies Concentration

The Health Studies concentration is designed to better prepare graduates of undergraduate science programs for entrance into health or medical professional schools and health related employment.

Learn more about the Health Studies Concentration 

group of students working in lab for health studies
Image of two biologist connecting data points to solve biological problems

Bioinformatics Concentration

The Bioinformatics concentration heavily emphasizes computation, line command coding, and programming as it applies to biological problems and questions preparing you for successful employment in the broad field of computational biology.

Learn more about the Bioinformatics Concentration 

Biological Sciences Curriculum

Core Courses (12 credits)
Credits
BCOR 5000
Graduate Seminar (BCOR 5000 / Credits: 3 )
3
BCOR 5350
Principles of Epidemiology OR (BCOR 5350 / Credits: 3 )
3
BCOR 5585 OR BCOR 5150
Genomics OR Immunobiology (BCOR 5585 OR BCOR 5150 / Credits: 3 )
3
BCOR 5580
Scientific Methods and Experimental Design (BCOR 5580 / Credits: 3 )
3
BCOR 5570
Biostatistics (BCOR 5570 / Credits: 3 )
3
MATG 5005
Statistical Inference (MATG 5005 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 5900
Biological Data Science (BMME 5900 / Credits: 3 )
3
Elective Courses (choose 12 credits for capstone path or 6 credits for thesis path)
Credits
BMHS 5200
Pathophysiology (BMHS 5200 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMHS 5250
Systems Neurosciences (BMHS 5250 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMHS 5300
Pharmacodynamics (BMHS 5300 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMHS 5400
Advanced Regional Anatomy/Lab (BMHS 5400 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 5500
Advanced Biochemistry (BMME 5500 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 5600
Training in Standard Molecular Biology Methods (BMME 5600 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 5900
Biological Data Science (BMME 5900 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 6000
GIS and Environmental Remote Sensing (BMME 6000 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 6770
Bacterial Evolutionary Genetics (BMME 6770 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSIT 0501
Programming Data Structure / Algorithm (MSIT 0501 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 0630
Database Management and Applications (MMIS 0630 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 8053
Introduction to Bioinformatics (BMME 8053 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 8054
Data Mining (BMME 8054 / Credits: 3 )
3
Research Courses (12 credits in thesis path OR 6 credits in capstone path)
BMME 7030
Thesis (BMME 7030 )
BMME 7040
Capstone (BMME 7040 )

In addition to the requirements, students can choose from any of the electives listed, as well as, those listed in the M.S. in Marine Science program and others at the department's discretion. For specific course requirements, refer to the “M.S. in Biological Sciences Program" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.

The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.

Admissions Requirements

  1. NSU Graduate Application 
  2. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution
  3. Official Transcripts from all educational institutions attended since high school
  4. Minimum cumulative GPA to be considered for admission: 3.0
  5. (2) Letters of Recommendation, one coming from an academic professor

Graduate Open House

Join us on Friday, March 15th at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about Biological Sciences, including careers within the field, NSU graduate degree offerings, and the application process.

This event is free and open for all to attend. You may register for the Open House here.

Program directors and department faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences and NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions will be in attendance to answer your questions about your program(s) of interest.

 Join NSU's Department of Biological Sciences to learn about:

  • M.S. in Biological Sciences program
    • Research Concentration
    • Health Studies Concentration
    • Bioinformatics Concentration

Featured Alumni

Ivanna Barazza

Class of 2021

Primary Thesis Advisor: Rob Smith
Thesis Title: Increasing the frequency of periodic spatial disturbance decreases surface attachment protein expression in Staphylococcus aureus
Ph.D. Program Duke University

Sydney Harned

Class of 2021

Primary Thesis Advisor: Mahmood Shivji
Thesis Title: Genetic population dynamics of the critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Blake Roberts

Class of 2021

Primary Capstone Advisor: Christopher Blanar
Capstone Title: A Systematic Review of Parasites Found Within Selected Teleost Fishes of the South Florida Hermatypic Coral Reef Tract

Research Labs

Microbial Cooperation Lab

Research activities include microbial cooperation, antibiotic resistance, pathogenesis, and spatial structure

Microbiology & Genetics Lab

Applying advanced biotechnology, molecular genetics, and computational data analysis methods to describe basic marine organismal functions

Conservation Biology & Genetics Lab

Shark, billfish and coral reef fish conservation biology and ecology

Program Director and Admissions Staff

Matthew Johnston, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Image of Matthew Johnston

Megan Troy

Assistant Director
Halmos Graduate Admissions
Image of Megan Troy

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