Biology, M.S.
Biology is an exciting and dynamic field focusing on the study of living things and the environments they inhabit. Graduates are successfully employed as natural resource managers, environmental consultants, fisheries and wildlife biologists, and ecologists at local, state, and federal levels. Many of our students obtain doctorate degrees.
Visit the program website for more information.
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Program Overview
This versatile program allows students to achieve individual goals while serving diverse interests. Students have the opportunity to pursue graduate programs in broad areas such as population genetics, organismal biology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and natural resource management. Optional emphases are offered in natural resources and aquatic sciences.
Internships offer hands-on learning while project and thesis opportunities strengthen critical thinking and presentation skills.
Why Study Biology at Grand Valley?
- Programs can be tailored for professionals to make them more competitive for job placement or advancement.
- Research opportunities are offered to all graduate students; some will collaborate with faculty on ongoing research and others will find or create research opportunities independently.
- Individualized, planned programs of study established by the students and their advisors ensure a unique learning experience designed to meet individual goals.
- The aquatic sciences emphasis provides the opportunity to conduct research at the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.
- Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered at times that accommodate the schedules of working professionals. A majority of students receive competitive graduate assistantships that provide a stipend and full tuition waiver, as well as some teaching experience.
Career Insights
This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.
Location & Format
Graduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.
Format:- Face To Face
Coursework
The M.S. in biology is a highly individualized program of study. All program plans will include the following three components:
- The core curriculum
- A student's chosen emphasis
- An internship, project, or thesis
Application Deadline
Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis, but deadline for graduate assistantship consideration for fall semester is January 15. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to GVSU.
Admission Requirements
For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.
Admission into the biology program has additional requirements, which are available on this page.
If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.
For More Information
Biology Department
gvsu.edu/biology
3300a
Kindschi Hall of Science
(616) 331-2470
Annis Water Resources Institute
Program Director
Eric Snyder, Ph.D.
(616) 331-2417