• The Biology Department of University of Virginia offers graduate training leading to Master of Arts and Master of Science in Biology degrees.
  • The scientific training provided by the Master's degree introduces students to areas of basic research in which they might subsequently pursue Ph.D. training; or, as a terminal degree, the M.S./M.A. provides an essential academic credential to enter research careers in industry or non-research careers in secondary education, law, science policy, or conservation.
  • A carefully planned and conscientiously executed Master's degree program can be completed successfully in approximately 2.5 years.
  • All requirements for the Master’s degree in Biology must be completed by the end of the fifth year of study.
  • Biology students working toward a Master's degree are required to complete 30 credits of graduate-level course work, including a minimum of 24 credits of graded coursework comprised of 4 graded lecture or laboratory courses and one colloquia or journal club. 
  • Successful defense of a written thesis is required, with the M.S. thesis based primarily on independent laboratory research and the M.A. thesis based primarily on independent research.