Biological Sciences (MS)
Broaden your STEM research opportunities and career possibilities with our master's degree program in biological sciences at A&M-Commerce.
Be on the Cutting Edge of Innovation
Advance your professional goals or prepare for entry into a doctoral program with our Master of Science in Biological Sciences. Work with our faculty as you explore behavioral ecology, environmental science, microbiology, molecular and developmental biology, wildlife ecology, conservation and much more.
Focus Your Passion
Our department offers two different tracks that cater to your research interests and career goals. Discover which program works best for you.
Research
If you’re interested in earning a Ph.D. or working in a laboratory setting, this program is designed for you. Our thesis track lets you conduct graduate-level research in our world-class McFarland Science Building and Biomedical Institute for Regenerative Research. Choose from a wide variety of specialties from molecular biology to wildlife ecology and much more. Our thirty-hour program is divided into eight courses (24 hours) plus thesis research (6 hours). You are encouraged to pursue research that matches your academic and professional goals. Speak with one of our faculty members and discover what opportunities we offer at A&M-Commerce.
Education
Are you a biology teacher looking to expand your knowledge and improve your teaching methods? Our non-thesis track is meant for you. With our fully-online program, you can study anywhere, anytime. Dive into a deeper understanding of invertebrate zoology, microbial ecology and human physiology through our program. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of electives that interest you. Our track opens the doors to teaching dual-credit and undergraduate courses at the college level.
See Yourself Succeed With a Degree in Biological Science
Innovation and Discovery
Take on our mission to build a better Texas that is eager to compete in an interconnected world with creativity, ethical leadership and imagination. We don’t just discover the future, we make it.
Career Readiness
The College of Science and Engineering is a gateway to in-demand STEM careers projected to make up a significant portion of the U.S. and global economy.
Accomplished Faculty
Shape an innovative framework with an award-winning faculty, including four Regents Professors, a highly selective honor for exemplary contributions to their university, community and the state of Texas.
Hands-on Research
Our faculty will help you tackle complex challenges and discover solutions with hands-on research in various fields.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
A masters in biological sciences will offer you the opportunity to:
- Dive deeper into your desired field to gain a career and salary edge in a competitive job market
- Prepare for entry into doctoral or professional health programs
Careers
Biological sciences students can use their in-depth knowledge to tackle challenges found in labs, research institutes and other related arenas. Broaden your network and gain real-world experience with internships and career opportunities with help from faculty and staff.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018
Alumni Profiles
Internship opportunities
Internship experience provides the foundation employers are often looking for. Although not required for your degree, internships are an important part of your education experience. These are just a few of the companies that partner with Student Career Preparedness and offer opportunities for A&M-Commerce biology students.
What You Will Learn
This program will prepare you for research-intensive jobs in biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology, zoology or doctoral programs in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, physical therapy and allied health sciences fields.
Courses to Prepare You for Your Career
- Foundation courses include Research Literature and Techniques or Thesis, depending on option selected
- Core business analytics courses include Quantitative Biology, Advanced Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics and Human Physiology
Featured Courses
Graduate Program Cost
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.
Admission
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Biological Sciences, MS” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Provisional Status
After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Undergraduate degree in Biology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall or 3.0 on last 60 hours. Must have a minimum of 12 semester hours of Junior or Senior-level Biology classes with a minimum score of B (80%) or equivalent.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Request two signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to [email protected] or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
Write a letter including but not limited to the following information:
- The type of degree you wish to pursue: Thesis, non-thesis or online,
- Academic and career goals and
- Area of interest in biology (ie. cellular and molecular biology, ecology, wildlife biology, genomics, oncology, cancer biology, microbiology, bioremediation etc.)
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- View the schedule of classes.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Deadlines
- Fall admission consideration: June 1
- Spring admission consideration: October 15
- Summer admission consideration: March 15
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Biological Sciences, MS” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $75 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
Undergraduate degree in Biology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall or 3.0 on last 60 hours. Must have a minimum of 12 semester hours of Junior or Senior-level Biology classes with a minimum score of B (80%) or equivalent.
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Request two signed letters of recommendation, on letterhead, from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should:
- Email the letter to [email protected] or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428
A letter including but not limited to the following information:
- The type of degree you wish to pursue: Thesis, non-thesis or online
- Academic and career goals
- Area of interest in biology (ie. cellular and molecular biology, ecology, wildlife biology, genomics, oncology, cancer biology, microbiology, bioremediation etc.)
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- View the schedule of classes.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
We Are Here to Help!
Contact Us
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
- 903.886.5378
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011
