See the introduction to department graduate programs for policies governing admission to classified standing for all master's programs in biology. All students, in consultation with their graduate faculty advisor and committee members, must prepare a master's degree program for approval by the Department Graduate Coordinator and the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies and Research.

Students in this degree program emphasize molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, immunology or microbiology through choice of advisor, committee, coursework, thesis (MS students) or examination (MA students).