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Quickly and Affordably Earn Your Bachelor’s and Master’s
The BS/MS joint curriculum allows admitted students to earn undergraduate and graduate credits simultaneously, which count toward both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. The program is designed as a bridge between their undergraduate and graduate education, allowing students to move quickly to a PhD or their future career.
Students should apply in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study. They will receive their BS degree upon completion of the BS portion. Students will receive their MS degree upon completion of the remaining 22 credits required if pursuing the thesis option or the 24 remaining credits for the non-thesis option.
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Why Earn Your Biology Master’s Degree at UM-Flint?
Flexible Part-/Full-time Program Format
You have the option to pursue your MS in Biology degree on a part-time basis to accommodate your busy schedule as a working professional. Or you may immerse yourself in this program full-time to fast-track your degree completion in as little as 12 months. You also have the ability to select a thesis or non-thesis track, depending on your academic goals and interests.
State-of-the-Art Laboratories
At the University of Michigan-Flint, we make sure to support your innovation and scientific pursuit with first-class facilities and equipment. You have access to UM-Flint’s laboratories and equipment, allowing you to test your hypotheses and explore new findings using the latest research and analytic technology.
Research Opportunities
As part of this rigorous master’s in Biology program, you work alongside faculty members who are conducting important and diverse research across the field of biology. The College of Innovation & Technology (CIT) faculty are deeply engaged in research. These scholarly pursuits are diverse in subject matter and allow faculty to engage with students, colleagues, the community, and industry on many projects.
Check out some of the current research activities taking place in CIT Research.
What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree in Biology?
With a master’s degree in Biology, you are ready to pursue a wide variety of rewarding careers in the growing field of life sciences, especially in the state of Michigan. In 2022, Michigan planned to grow the life sciences and agribusiness industries and create over 280 high-paying jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Biological Scientists’ median annual wage is $106,790 in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area, while the national median is $90,010.
Common career paths with an MS degree in Biology:
- Research Scientist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Microbiologist
- Preparation for professional school, such as Medical, Dental, Veterinary
- Preparation for PhD programs in the life sciences
Joint BS/MS in Biology Curriculum
The Joint BS/MS in Biology program offers a flexible and broad curriculum that encourages original scientific research and innovation in biological sciences. Building on your undergraduate degree in biology or a related life science degree, the master’s in Biology program curriculum integrates the latest advances in biology, including new research techniques and areas of study.
With engaging lectures and hands-on laboratory experiments, students acquire advanced knowledge in cellular biology, ecology, and scientific methodology, and apply this knowledge in real-world settings.
Admission Requirements
Students interested in the BS/MS program should apply during their junior or senior year. Upon completing the requirements for the BS portion of the program, the student is awarded the BS degree. To apply for the program, students must show:
- Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- No GRE required
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the following required prerequisite courses completed at a regionally accredited university:
- Cell Biology, Ecology, Genetics
- Organic Chemistry
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics
- General Physics
- Statistics (preferably Biostatistics) recommended
Applying to the Joint BS/MS Biology Program
Submit an online application below to be considered for admission to the MS in Biology on-campus program. Other materials can be emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.
- Application for Graduate Admission
- $55 application fee (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The Office of Graduate Programs will pull transcripts for University of Michigan-Flint students. Transcripts from other institutions must be sent directly to the school.
- One letter of recommendation from a UM-Flint faculty member
- Statement of Purpose: include information on why you are interested in the MS in Biology program, pertinent background information, and long-term goals. Applicants interested in the thesis option should indicate two to three faculty members they would consider as potential thesis advisors.
Application Deadlines
Submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the day of the application deadline. The master’s in Biology degree program offers rolling admission with monthly application reviews. To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted on or before:
- Fall (early review*) – May 1
- Fall (final review) – August 1
- Winter – December 1
- Summer – April 1
*You must have a complete application by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.
Academic Advising
We endeavor to support your educational journey. Our dedicated academic advisors are here to help you throughout your time in the Joint BS/MS Biology program. Whether you need assistance with selecting courses or choosing your track, you may contact your advisor!
For any questions, contact Aubree Kraut at arottier@umich.edu or 810-766-6616 or book an appointment today.