{"id":10535,"date":"2022-03-21T16:52:02","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T20:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/149.4.100.129\/academics\/bio\/?page_id=10535"},"modified":"2026-04-19T15:57:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T19:57:33","slug":"masters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/academics\/bio\/masters\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Arts (MA) in Biology"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”16px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-34px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”benefits of a master’s (intro)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Open Sans|600|||on||||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” text_orientation_tablet=”left” text_orientation_phone=”” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Why pursue a master’s degree in biology?<\/h3>\n

A master’s degree convers many benefits: access to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and greater chances of admission to more advanced studies, such as medical school and PhD programs.<\/p>\n

As many see it, if you hold a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology, you were a biology major; if you hold a master\u2019s degree in biology, you are a biologist.<\/p>\n

Whether as a terminal degree or a stepping stone to another degree, a Master of Arts (MA) in Biology from QC can bring you closer to your career goals.<\/p>\n

Wondering if an MA in Biology is the right next step for you? Consult a Biology faculty member or the Interim (2026) Biology Graduate Advisor, Prof Pokay Ma<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Laurin Larian, receiving her QC Biology MA (2017)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Graduate Courses<\/h3>\n

The route to a Master\u2019s degree involves a series of graduate (500-level and above) courses<\/a>. Undergraduates may also take these courses if they wish to deepen their knowledge, make up for deficiencies in their academic record, or are uncertain about whether to pursue a graduate degree.<\/p>\n

To take graduate Biology courses, apply now and log into the online application<\/a>. To take these courses as a non-degree student, use the non-matriculation application<\/a>. If you decide to extend your graduate courses into a Biology Master\u2019s degree, your courses (maximum 12 credits) will transfer.<\/p>\n

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Besides leading to a QC Master of Arts in Biology, our courses can be applied to other graduate programs:<\/h4>\n

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  1. Other QC graduate programs (e.g., in Chemistry, Psychology, Earth & Environmental Sciences) and other schools (within CUNY or not) may<\/strong> <\/em>apply certain QC Biology courses toward their requirements.<\/li>\n
  2. The Master\u2019s in Science Education <\/strong>(MSED<\/a>) is a joint degree between the QC School of Education and Youth Services and one of four QC science departments, based on your chosen certification area (e.g, Biology<\/a>).<\/li>\n
  3. The CUNY PhD<\/strong> accepts 700-level QC courses (Doctoral Studies<\/a>), via participation in the Graduate Center\u2019s PhD in Biology<\/a>, or related fields.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    The Dennehy Lab in 2017, at a CUNY Biology retreat in the Poconos.<\/em><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”How to apply” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_4_font=”Open Sans|600|||on||||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” text_orientation_tablet=”left” text_orientation_phone=”” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    How to apply<\/h3>\n

    To apply for the MA in Biology, you must either already hold a Bachelor\u2019s degree or be about to graduate. Most successful applicants have undergraduate GPAs of \u2265 3.0 and \u2265 20 credits in biology beyond the introductory level (besides coursework in related fields such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics).<\/p>\n

    A complete application includes a 500-word essay, two recommendation letters, and your transcript. If English is not your native tongue and<\/strong> <\/em>you did not receive an English post-secondary education, then you must take a standardized English-language tests<\/a>. Note that the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.<\/p>\n

    Apply<\/a> by April 1 <\/strong>(to matriculate in the Fall) and\u00a0November 1 <\/strong>(to matriculate in the Spring).<\/p>\n

    Find more general information on QC Master\u2019s Programs here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    Application outcomes vary. You may be accepted: (1) unconditionally; (2) on the condition that you take at one or more remedial biology courses; or (3) on a probationary basis (you will be fully accepted if you maintain a 3.0 GPA for 12 credits of coursework).<\/p>\n

    If your application is rejected, you can still improve your future chances of acceptance by taking and succeeding in QC Biology courses as a non-matriculating graduate student.<\/p>\n

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    Research Experience<\/h3>\n

    We encourage all our graduate students to participate in the varied research programs of QC Biology faculty members<\/a>. This is the best way to learn biology first-hand and appreciate how scientific methods are applied to big research questions (look<\/a> at all the cool topics our MA students have studied!). While faculty members rarely require prior experience or specific coursework to join their labs, Biology research opportunities<\/a> are competitive.<\/p>\n

    Our research is funded by many entities including federal grantors (e.g., National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health) and private foundations (e.g., American Cancer Society, American Heart Association).<\/p>\n

    Our labs and core facilities are well-equipped for research in ecology and in evolutionary, molecular, cell, and developmental biology. Opportunities are enhanced by affiliations and cooperative efforts with other CUNY divisions, city institutions, and the American Museum of Natural History.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/academics\/bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/117\/2024\/04\/Leora_Ferrari_Delroy_Brockett_MAresearch_web.jpg” alt=”One master’s student is working with a sparrow in a marsh. Another is working with DNA samples.” title_text=”Leora_Ferrari_Delroy_Brockett_MAresearch_web” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||13px|||” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Image caption Delroy & Leora” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    Our MA students’ research projects tackle questions ranging from the molecular to the whole-organism (and even ecosystem) level.<\/p>\n

    Leora Ferrari (left) is studying the cultural evolution of house-finch songs for her thesis\u2014here, she is measuring the tarsus of a saltmarsh sparrow for a separate study of marsh birds. Disclaimer<\/strong>: The avian-flu and other wildlife epidemics have highlighted the need for PPE (well-fitted N95-type mask & disposable gloves) while handling wild birds (or any vertebrates).<\/p>\n

    Delroy Brockett (right) is studying virology for his MA thesis project\u2014here he is preparing samples for PCR amplification.<\/p>\n

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    \u00a0hat to expect (MA requirements)<\/h3>\n

    Advisement<\/u><\/p>\n

    To get the most out of your MA journey and ensure your continued success, please meet with the Interim (2026) Graduate Advisor (Prof Pokay Ma)<\/a> to discuss your academic plans as soon as possible upon entry into the program, and then annually thereafter.<\/p>\n

    As soon as possible after acceptance, find a faculty mentor<\/a>\u00a0who can advise you on your research and on the preparation of the review article or thesis that forms your capstone MA requirement (more info below) and who may help you select courses.<\/p>\n

    Coursework<\/u><\/p>\n

    You can apply any<\/i><\/b> 600- and 700-level courses that interest you toward your degree. Below are some policies on courses and credits.<\/p>\n

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