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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.
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.
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.
Quick Facts
Winter 2026: Friday, November 14, 2025
Summer 2026: Friday, April 17, 2026
Shark Sightings
Every student has a story. The “Shark Sightings” video series highlights undergraduates, graduate students, and NSU alumni who are diving into their coursework, getting involved in extracurriculars, and using their education to make a difference in their chosen fields.
Learn why each Shark says they chose NSU, and how their degree is preparing them to dominate.
Biological Sciences Curriculum
Core Courses (12 credits)
Credits
Elective Courses (choose 12 credits for capstone path or 6 credits for thesis path)
Credits
Research Courses (12 credits in thesis path OR 6 credits in capstone path)
Credits
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.
Join us on Tuesday, October 14 at 12:30 p.m. ESTto 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.
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.
If you take 9 credits per term, you can expect to complete coursework in 2 ½ years, followed by a dissertation. If you take 6 credits per term, then you can expect to complete coursework in 4 years, followed by a dissertation. Courses are offered year-round.
- Biology: Two semesters (or equivalent) with lab
- Biostatistics or Applied Statistics: One semester (or equivalent)
- General Chemistry: One semester (or equivalent) with lab
- Mathematics (college level): One semester (or equivalent)
- Upper-Level Science: One additional semester (or equivalent)*
*Suggested courses can include, but are not limited to: Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Immunology, Anatomy, Physiology, Advanced Mathematics, and Genetics.
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NSU Graduate Application
-
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution
-
Official Transcripts from all educational institutions attended since high school
- Identification of area of research interest and potential faculty mentors
-
Minimum cumulative GPA to be considered for admission: 3.0
- Submit a 'Resume' OR 'Curriculum Vita'
Non-native English speakers and graduates of foreign institutions (where English is not the primary language instruction) must demonstrate English-language proficiency through one of the following options:
- Successful completion of a degree at an approved U.S. institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) official iBT score of 80+ (old test scale) or 4+ (new test scale).
Join us on Tuesday, October 14 at 12:30 p.m. ESTto 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.
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.
If you take 9 credits per term, you can expect to complete coursework in 2 ½ years, followed by a dissertation. If you take 6 credits per term, then you can expect to complete coursework in 4 years, followed by a dissertation. Courses are offered year-round.
- Biology: Two semesters (or equivalent) with lab
- Biostatistics or Applied Statistics: One semester (or equivalent)
- General Chemistry: One semester (or equivalent) with lab
- Mathematics (college level): One semester (or equivalent)
- Upper-Level Science: One additional semester (or equivalent)*
*Suggested courses can include, but are not limited to: Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Immunology, Anatomy, Physiology, Advanced Mathematics, and Genetics.
-
NSU Graduate Application
-
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution
-
Official Transcripts from all educational institutions attended since high school
- Identification of area of research interest and potential faculty mentors
-
Minimum cumulative GPA to be considered for admission: 3.0
- Submit a 'Resume' OR 'Curriculum Vita'
Non-native English speakers and graduates of foreign institutions (where English is not the primary language instruction) must demonstrate English-language proficiency through one of the following options:
- Successful completion of a degree at an approved U.S. institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) official iBT score of 80+ (old test scale) or 4+ (new test scale).
Featured Alumni
Ivanna Barazza Class of 2021 Primary Thesis Adviser: Rob Smith Thesis Title: Increasing the frequency of periodic spatial disturbance decreases surface attachment
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Sydney Harned Class of 2021 Primary Thesis Adviser: 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 Capstone Title: A Systematic Review of Parasites Found Within Selected Teleost Fishes of the South
Florida Hermatypic Coral Reef Tract
Primary Capstone Adviser: Christopher Blanar
Microbial Cooperation Lab
Learn MoreMicrobial Cooperation Lab
Research activities include microbial cooperation, antibiotic resistance, pathogenesis, and spatial structure
Learn MoreMicrobiology and Genetics Lab
Learn MoreMicrobiology and Genetics Lab
Applying advanced biotechnology, molecular genetics, and computational data analysis methods to describe basic marine organismal functions
Learn MoreConservation Biology and Genetics Lab
Learn MoreConservation Biology and Genetics Lab
Shark, billfish and coral reef fish conservation biology and ecology
Learn MoreProgram Director and Admissions Staff
