Details: Biological Sciences, Master's

Biological Sciences

Program type: Master's

Wichita State's Master of Science (MS) in Biological Sciences combines an advanced biology education with access to modern research laboratories and multiple outdoor research sites. The program offers specializations in the areas of ecology, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology and evolutionary biology—preparing you to pursue a Ph.D. or enter the workforce in a variety of career settings.

Learn how Biological Sciences is the right fit for you.

Degree
MS
Credit Hours
33
Student and faculty member working in a cell / molecular lab

  • Making your graduate education affordable

    In addition to scholarships and financial aid, more than 30 percent of full-time graduate students hold assistantships or departmental fellowships amounting to more than $4 million each year.

  • Admission to the program

    Admission into the program requires:

    • A baccalaureate degree in a life science-related discipline from an accredited university
    • A minimum GPA of 2.75 for the most recent 60 credit hours completed and minimum 3.0 GPA for all undergraduate biological sciences courses
    • A one-page statement of purpose
    • Three letters of reference from science faculty
    • An acceptable score on the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE-Academic for non-native speakers of English

    For additional admission details, click on the link below.

Biology major Hannah Hoetmer studies amphibians and reptiles, and is involved in a project that will establish whether or not high quality photos can be used with an animal version of facial-recognition technology.

Inside the Program

Biology major gets up close to Kansas amphibians and reptiles

Biological Sciences students can get up close and personal with nature.

Hannah Hoetmer has helped study amphibians and reptiles of the Youngmeyer Ranch, assisted with multiple projects in the Biodiversity Lab that look at the insect diversity across Kansas, and held several paid positions as a technician studying plants in the Prairie Community Ecology Lab.

She is working on a large project that will try to establish whether or not high quality photographs can be used with an animal version of facial-recognition technology to look at the differences in the intersections between the scales on the heads of lizards and snakes to identify individuals. 

  • Curriculum

    Students accepted into the MS program in biology may pursue either the thesis or non-thesis option for their MS degree. All MS graduate students in biology must earn at least 16 credit hours from the Department of Biological Sciences.

    The thesis option comprises 30 credit hours of coursework and includes a thesis defense.

    The non-thesis option comprises 33 credit hours of coursework and includes research and applied learning.

  • Careers

    A master's degree in biological sciences from Wichita State will put you on the path toward a wide range of biology-related careers—in the lab or in the field—and is excellent preparation for a future Ph.D. program.

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