Learn more about our Master of Science (MS) degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs.
Students may take advantage of the full breadth of training in modern biology offered in the department through their choice of elective courses, teaching experiences, and department-wide seminars. Through these as well as the career presentations and opportunities for networking offered by the Biology Graduate Student Association and the Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWISE) group, graduate students in biology enjoy a highly interactive environment and training that provides excellent preparation for a variety of careers in the biological sciences. Upon completion of the MS. or PhD, students should be prepared for post-graduate training and on track to assume teaching and/or research positions in academia, industry, government agencies or non-government organizations. Those who decide to leave academia should feel well prepared to apply their skills in legal and/or consulting professions.
Boston University recently announced the start of the National Science Foundation National Research Traineeship Program (NRT) Understanding the Brain: Neurophotonics (NSF NRT UtB: Neurophotonics). This is a university-wide community of doctoral students in biology, neuroscience, biophysics, biomedical, and mechanical engineering with focused professional development and graduate training in neurophotonics. The NRT program in Neurophotonics will include research that uses light and photo-activated materials to study, control, and image neurons and neural circuits with cellular and sub-cellular resolution.
Biology faculty are also involved in several other interdisciplinary graduate programs, including Bioinformatics; Biogeoscience; BU URBAN; Neuroscience; and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry.
For more information on applying to our graduate programs, contact the Graduate Program Specialists for the Biology Department, at biograd@bu.edu.
BA/MA in Biotechnology
The BA/MA in Biotechnology is a five-year program open to Boston University undergraduates pursuing a BA in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Students earn both degrees by completing a total of 38 courses that comprise many of the elements of standard degree programs in biology and chemistry, augmented by advanced-level courses in recombinant DNA techniques, molecular cell biology, and protein technology. View a more detailed description of the program on the CAS Bulletin website. Further information may also be obtained from the Undergraduate Program Specialist for the Department of Biology.