Master's Degree in Biology
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
A master's degree in Biology is ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of life sciences, preparing for careers in research, environmental conservation, or biotechnology. This program is also valuable for those pursuing roles as laboratory scientists, wildlife biologists, or educators, where advanced knowledge in molecular biology, ecology, or genetics is essential for addressing complex biological challenges.
Program Overview
Students have the option of completing this program with a thesis, or non-thesis plan of study.
Thesis Option
Biology offers a research-focused Master's degree, termed a thesis M.S. This program is designed for students who want to gain research experience but are not ready for, or are not yet committed to, the extended level of research required for a Ph.D. A key requirement is that a faculty member is interested and has a project in mind that fits the time scale of a Master's degree.
Coursework blends regular classes with seminars and is typically performed during the first 4 semesters, the remainder of the time spent is focused on completing a research project. Thesis M.S. students typically aim to complete their degree in 2 to 3 years. More details on the program can be found at https://bio.as.uky.edu/graduate-program. Details about potential research advisors can be found at https://biograd.as.uky.edu/.
Non-thesis Option
Biology also offers a primarily coursework-based Master's degree, called a non-thesis M.S., designed for students seeking additional exposure and training in sub-disciplines within Biology but without the emphasis placed on original research by the thesis M.S. or Ph.D. degree. The non-thesis Master’s degree is typically completed within 2 years or less. Coursework blends regular classes with seminars. More details on the non-thesis Master’s program can be found at https://bio.as.uky.edu/non-thesis-ms.
Related Careers
Students in the Biology Graduate Program are trained to become practicing professionals in a wide array of possible career paths, including academic positions, industry, government, or are prepared to take on additional schooling. The program achieves this through a combination of formal course work, research experience, and activities that foster the communication of scientific ideas.
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What You'll Learn
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Application Requirements
Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Program Specific Requirements
Thesis Master's
- CV
- Please submit a standard professional CV with contact information and educational and employment histories. In addition, please provide the following information as applicable:
- a list of coursework or scientific training that does not appear on your transcript, but will be completed before entering the UK graduate program
- a list of academic honors
- a list of scientific publications or presentations
- other experiences or responsibilities in science-related activities, such as outreach or volunteer work.
- Please submit a standard professional CV with contact information and educational and employment histories. In addition, please provide the following information as applicable:
- Personal Statement
- Please provide a statement that addresses the following points, with separate subheadings for each question. How much space you devote to each subsection is up to you, but the total length should not exceed ~2-3 single-spaced pages. Personal statements should be original work of the applicant and written without the assistance of AI. Statements may be tested for plagiarism and AI usage.
- Describe your motivation for pursuing a M.S. or PhD in biology. What are your career goals and how will a graduate education in Biology at the University of Kentucky help you achieve these goals?
- Describe how your experiences up to this point have prepared you to engage in graduate research. This can include prior research experiences, but also any other relevant experiences that have helped you develop as a scientist (e.g., internships, volunteer work, a particular course, etc.). Given these strengths, what areas do you feel you need to improve during your graduate training?
- Describe your research interests. What biological questions most interest you and what types of approaches could you use to answer them? What UK Biology research faculty are of interest to you and why?
- Optional: Describe any special circumstances that are relevant to how you handle academic, professional, or personal challenges.
- Please provide a statement that addresses the following points, with separate subheadings for each question. How much space you devote to each subsection is up to you, but the total length should not exceed ~2-3 single-spaced pages. Personal statements should be original work of the applicant and written without the assistance of AI. Statements may be tested for plagiarism and AI usage.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Prior to submitting this application, please review the Biology Department website for information about the Biology Graduate Program. It is important to review the research programs of our faculty for compatibility with your own interests and to consider the graduate training options offered (see, https://bio.as.uky.edu/graduate-degree-programs). For those interested in the research degrees, we recommend you contact individual faculty members of interest as part of the application process.
The GRE is NOT required for program admission.
Apply by Dec. 15 for priority consideration.
Non-Thesis Master's
Applicants to the non-thesis M.S. program are recommended to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher to receive competitive consideration. In addition, applicants will include the following:
- Personal Statement
- Explain how a non-thesis Master’s in Biology will help prepare you for your subsequent career plans.
- Two letters of recommendation
The GRE is NOT required for program admission.
Application Deadlines
Domestic Students
-
Fall
- 07/25/2025
International Students
-
Fall
- 04/15/2025
Explore Funding Options
As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!
Program Specific Funding Opportunities
Thesis MS students are supported on fellowship, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship, and we do not accept a student without also being able to offer them some type of support. Generally, this support lasts up to 3 years, and often students can get additional support after that time depending on their situation. Such support is conditional on a student making progress toward their degree. All financial packages comes with a stipend, tuition scholarship, and student health insurance.
Students in the non-thesis option are not eligible for tuition support.
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
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