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A biology master's degree equips you for diverse career paths in fields like wildlife conservation, land ecology, environmental sustainability, neurobiology, and other biological sciences globally. The program typically takes two years to complete, requiring 30-32 credit hours based on your selection between thesis and non-thesis options.
Perfect for aspiring researchers aiming to build scientific expertise, this Master of Science in Biology serves those pursuing advanced studies, government or NGO roles, corporate sector positions, or teaching careers in secondary and higher education. The program provides both a general curriculum and a focused conservation and biodiversity specialization. You'll work alongside 15 dedicated faculty members while partnering with institutions like the Sanford School of Medicine, USD Missouri River Institute, USD Sustainability Program, and collaborating with national and international universities including South Dakota State University.
The program immerses you in life sciences research, from microscopic to ecosystem-level studies. Given biology's vast scope, you can customize your degree to match specialized interests across multiple disciplines including water and land ecosystems, preservation science, sustainable practices, environmental toxicology, organismal physiology, cellular and molecular biology, brain research, growth biology, hereditary studies, and species development.
Students with Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission.
English Language Requirements:
A minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum PTE score of 53 is required for graduate admission.