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.
Where It Is Offered
Commerce, Online
Duration2-3 years
Foreign LanguageNo foreign language credits required
Delivery
Face-To-Face, Fully Online
Total Credit HoursNon-thesis 36, Thesis 30
Thesis Requirements Thesis and non-thesis options available
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.
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 College of Science and Engineering Regents Professors, a highly selective honor for exemplary contributions to the 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.
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
Biochemist and Biophysicist
$93,280
Microbiologist
$71,650
Medical Scientist
$84,810
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018
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 Career Development and offer opportunities for A&M-Commerce biology students.
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
This course provides you with a greater understanding of molecular, developmental, and network mechanisms of neuronal function. Emphasis will be placed on molecular and cellular components of neurons at their most basic level as well in unique specific systems. You will gain an in-depth understand of basic principles and concepts of neurons at the molecular levels, to reason scientifically, and to understand and describe the cooperative function of organelles in the specialized cells.
Medical MicrobiologyBSC 516
This course covers pathogenic microorganisms and infections and helps you to develop a means of analyzing the nature of infectious diseases. This course will equally focus on the pathogenic mechanisms of microorganisms aided with corresponding individual case studies of diseases in order to foster critical thinking and problem solving techniques.
Endocrine ToxicologyBSC 524
In this course, you will incorporate the study of basic endocrine functions and how these functions may be impaired or altered by environmental chemicals. You will consider endocrine organs, including the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, testes, ovaries and the pancreas as toxicological targets of environmental endocrine disruptors. In addition, the course reviews evidence of environmental endocrine disruption in fish and wildlife, and its relevance to human health.
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.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
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 accepts 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.
Postal Alternative
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
Two Letters of Recommendation
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:
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
Statement of Intent
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.)
Resume or CV
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.
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.
Step 2. Submit Documents
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
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.
Postal Alternative
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
Transcript Evaluation
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts 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.
Two Letters of Recommendation
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:
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
Statement of Intent
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.)
Resume or CV
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
English Proficiency
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.
Official Sponsor Documents
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.