Biology: Master of Science (MS)

Application Deadlines

Spring Admission
November 1, priority deadline is October 15

Summer Sessions Admission
April 1

Fall Admission
July 1, priority deadline is March 15

Application Requirements

Entrance exam: Not required

Application requirements vary by program. Learn more

Location

On campus

Completion Time

2 years (full time)

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Costs and Aid

Cells, molecules, genetics — become a biological sciences pro.

The Master of Science in Biology program at App State enables you to increase the depth and scope of your knowledge in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. You will have the opportunity to participate in laboratory and field research under the direct supervision of our accomplished and internationally known faculty.

Combined with career-ready coursework, you’ll graduate well positioned for the growing sciences job market.

Department of Biology

College of Arts and Sciences

State-of-the-art Labs

The Department of Biology has 23 specialized laboratories to support a wide range of research activities.

A 2025 Best

The Princeton Review named App State among the best schools in the U.S. and the Southeast for 2025.

Top 3

U.S. News & World Report has recognized App State as a top 3 university for innovation for 8 consecutive years.

Learn more about App State’s accolades

Concentrations and Courses

- Cellular and Molecular Biology
  
  Conduct research aimed at understanding cellular and molecular processes that govern life at the molecular level.
  
  Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  
  Address key questions in physiological, population, community and ecosystem ecology, with an emphasis on evolutionary principles.
  
  Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog
- General Biology
  
  Explore the complexities of life and deepen your relationship with the living world.
  
  Graduate Bulletin & Course Catalog

Careers and Mountaineers

Where can an App State degree take you? Anywhere you want to go!

Careers

Environmental Consultant
Conservation Biologist
Research Laboratory Manager/ Supervisor
Teaching Laboratory Manager/ Supervisor
Field Ecologist
University Instructor
Research Scientist (University or Industry labs)
Biology/Science Teacher
Science Writer
Pharmaceutical and Medical Sales
Curator for biodiversity collections
Director of animal facilities

Employers

N.C. DOT/Division of Environmental Officer
North American Land Trust
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
N.C. Division of Water Quality
N.C. Division of Air Quality
Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Geological Survey
Pharmaceutical companies
Biotechnology companies
Forensics and clinical toxicology labs
Universities
Community colleges
High Schools

Career information resource

App State’s Career Development Center
Services provided by the Career Development Center include resume reviews, career coaching, job and internship search assistance, and other tools for you to achieve life and professional success.

App State alumna Christina Daly ’13’16

“I knew that getting my master's degree would inform my choice between medical school and further graduate work. App State in particular allowed me to be the senior lab member shortly after I began, so I was able to learn general lab maintenance and effective training techniques alongside running my own project.”
— Christina Daly, a Ph.D. student at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
App State alumnus Dalton Sizemore ’19 ’21
“App State is at a unique position to be able to offer more hands-on experience for undergraduate and graduate students, so they’re not cornered into doing research they don’t necessarily enjoy. My decision to choose App State for graduate school was an easy one … it was a perfect fit!”
— Dalton Sizemore, an account executive at Radeas Labs