2017-2018 Catalog

M.A. in Biology Learning Goals

A student graduating with a Master of Arts in Biology will acquire expertise in a specific area of biology, and skills in critical-thinking and science communication through a student-developed, faculty-mentored research project.


Students in the M.A. in Biology program will:

  1. Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific literature.

  2. Design an original, rigorous research project.
  3. Master a set of laboratory or field skills, and apply analytical methods to interpret results.
  4. Effectively communicate scientific knowledge and research through oral defense and written thesis.
  5. Be prepared to pursue graduate and professional programs in human and veterinary medicine, and careers in industry, government, non-government organizations and academia.