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Biology, Master of Science

The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Biology at St. John’s delivers comprehensive knowledge of biological sciences, with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology.

Earn a master's degree in Biology at St. John's University in New York City!

The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Biology at St. John’s delivers comprehensive knowledge of biological sciences, with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology. You will have the opportunity to participate in research under the direct supervision of our accomplished and internationally-known faculty. Research in the department covers many areas of biology, including cancer biology, neuroscience, epigenetics, evolutionary and developmental biology, and plant and environmental sciences. The Department of Biological Sciences also offers weekly seminar series, allowing you to meet and learn from experts in top research institutions.

Graduates with an M.S. in Biology from St. John’s go on to exciting careers performing pharmaceutical, clinical, or biotechnological research at various public and private institutions. Some enter Ph.D. programs at top-tier research universities such as Columbia, Princeton, and Cornell. Others go on to medical and dental schools such as Columbia, Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and SUNY-Stony Brook. 

To accommodate the needs of working professionals wishing to complete the M.S., we allow flexibility in completing program requirements. Please contact the program director to discuss your curriculum options.

Department Faculty

Please see a list of our Biological Sciences faculty.

Department Contact

Yong Yu, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies
718-990-1654
[email protected]

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Degree Type
MS
Area of Interest
Science & Mathematics
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
33

Admission

Application Requirements

To apply for the Master of Science program in Biology, you must present:

  • Official transcripts reflecting all undergraduate (and any previous graduate) work.
  • Evidence of successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, with an overall cumulative index of 3.0 and a 3.0 or higher average in biological sciences.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score reports are optional for this program. 

Application Deadlines

  • Applications received by April 1 will be given priority consideration for fall admission. 
  • Applications received by November 1 will be given priority consideration for spring admission. 

Entrance Requirements

You should have completed or will be completing an undergraduate major in the biological sciences or a related field, including 

  • One year each of inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics through introductory calculus with a “B" (3.0) or better average.  

  • One semester of either genetics, molecular biology, or biochemistry and a semester of each is highly recommended.  

  • Preferably, you will also have one or more courses in an area of biology in which you hope to specialize.  

Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]

Tuition and Financial Aid

A limited number of teaching assistantships are available to qualified M.S. candidates. These positions provide a tuition remission and a stipend, and require some service to the department. Special fellowships such as the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program are also available to qualified master's students. Numerous loan and specifically-designated award programs are available, and some students may be awarded support by an individual faculty member, through that faculty member's research grants. For detailed information and application procedures, interested students may consult the Graduate Director about any of these assistantships or fellowships.

Career Outcomes

As a graduate with a master’s degree in Biology from St. John’s University, you will be a desirable candidate for employment in research capacities at universities or corporations involved in pharmaceutical, clinical, biological, or biotechnological research. You will also be qualified for teaching or managerial positions in these settings.

Biology

Interested in Science & Mathematics, but not sure if Biology, Master of Science is right for you?