An Online Biological Sciences Master's Degree
Are you looking for a rigorous Biology program that is flexible enough to fit both your schedule and your career goals? The UNC Biological Sciences Master of Science – Non-Thesis Concentration is now available online.
You will be able to enroll in a wide variety of Biology courses focused on medicine, ecology and evolutionary biology. Additional elective options are also available for educators. Our exceptional advisors and faculty work to ensure that your studies support your professional goals – and your interests in the field of Biology.
Flexible Enough to Fit a Variety of Biology Careers
High School and Dual / Concurrent Enrollment Biology Teaching
If you are an existing high school Biology teacher, this degree will advance your content knowledge and may help you progress in the pay scale at your school. In addition, this program can help you meet the requirements (master's degree and content expertise) for instructors of college-level Biology courses. If you take 18 credits of BIO coursework in this master's degree program, you will be eligible to teach college and university courses in Biology – including concurrent/dual enrollment courses (in which students earn both high school and college credit in the same course).
Teachers in Rural Colorado Districts
You may be eligible for a scholarship for this program! Read the Financial Aid section of the Costs & Aid tab below for details.
Professional School Preparation
If you are among the many qualified students who can't fit an intensive 9-month MBS program around your employment or family obligations, you can still prepare for your future in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, or veterinary medicine with this Master of Science program. You will enroll in many of the same courses as the students in our popular Biomedical Science MBS program, but take fewer courses each term.
Advancement in Biology-Related Fields
Open up your path to new opportunities in biological science, biotechnology, health care, and resource management with an online master's degree that fits around your schedule.
The program coursework is delivered fully online in the Fall and Spring semesters, with Summers off. You can start the program in either the Fall or Spring semester.
You can choose a course load that fits your schedule and your goals:
- A typical course load of 5-8 credit hours per term will allow you to finish in 2-3 years.
- You can spread your coursework across 3 semesters if you take 10 credits each term.
- You will have a total of five years to complete the program if you take just one course each semester.
You will be enrolled in each course alongside students who are taking the courses on campus. You will view classroom session recordings and take part in online activities with other online and on-campus students.
Required Courses (30 Credit Hours)
For an example of upcoming courses, visit the Current Program Students page.
Research Core (3 Credit Hours)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following courses:
- BIO 502 Biomedicine and Careers (1)
- BIO 596 Foundations of Clinical Research (2)
- SCED 600 Science Education Research for K-12 Teachers (3)
- SRM 600 Introduction to Graduate Research (3)
Content Elective Courses (27 Credit Hours)
Complete 27 credit hours from the following courses:
- BIO 525 Molecular Genetics (3)
- BIO 528 Developmental Biology (3)
- BIO 545 Pathogenic Microbiology (3)
- BIO 547 Immunology and Disease (3)
- BIO 548 Virology (3)
- BIO 550 Cell Physiology (3)
- BIO 552 Advanced Systemic Physiology: Homeostats (3)
- BIO 553 Advanced Systemic Physiology: Control Systems (3)
- BIO 555 Reproductive Biology (3)
- BIO 562 Conservation Biology (3)
- PSY 640 Cultural Issues in Educational Psychology (3)
- PSY 644 Motivation in Education (3)
- PSY 681 Cognition and Instruction (3)
- SRM 602 Statistical Methods I (3)
NOTE: you can take up to a maximum of 9 credits of non-BIO coursework. Several SCED courses are offered online, but the scheduling of these courses is not as consistent.
Comprehensive Exam
Non-Thesis students also must pass a written comprehensive exam of topics learned in their graduate coursework, administered by their advisor.
The coursework shown here is specifically chosen for online delivery. For full details of the Biological Sciences MS – Non-Thesis Concentration, see the official program listing in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Get Started/Apply
Additional Resources
- Visit the School of Biological Sciences page for this program.
- Learn more about the Biomedical Science faculty.