Biological Sciences MS
- Master's Degree
- Online
- Online
- Non-Thesis
2-3 Years
Fall (Aug.)
Spring (Jan.)
$698/Credit
An Online Master’s Degree for Biology
Our online Biological Sciences Master of Science degree is flexible and designed to help you reach your career goals. Expand your knowledge in biology, including biology teaching.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll take a wide variety of biology classes. You can choose courses that focus on:
- Biomedicine and biomedical research
- Genetics and evolutionary biology
- Human biology, including neurobiology
- Biology education
- Animal and plant biology
- Immunology and virology
- Ecology and conservation
There are many more course topics to choose from. Our great teachers and advisors will help you make sure your studies support your goals.
Also Offered On Campus
We also offer this program in a traditional on-campus delivery.
Your Career in Biology
Teach College Biology
Including High School and Dual / Concurrent Enrollment
If you are an existing high school biology teacher, this degree:
- Will enhance and expand your biology expertise to share in the classroom.
- May also help you progress in the pay scale at your school.
This degree does not lead to a teaching license, but it’s ideal for a teacher who already has one or who teaches in classrooms that do not require licensure.
Teach College-Level Biology: If you complete this program by including 18 credits of BIO coursework, you will be eligible to teach college biology courses. This includes 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 Scholarship Opportunity section for details.
Prepare for Professional School
This is one of two online UNC programs that can help you prepare for professional school (medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals or veterinary medicine). You will enroll in many of the same courses as the students in our intensive, 9-month Biomedical Science MBS program, but you will take fewer courses each term.
Advance in Biology-Related Fields
Advanced science knowledge is highly valued in many industries, such as:
- Health care and medicine
- Pharmaceuticals
- Environmental sciences
- Resource management
- Biotechnology
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
The online coursework for this program is mostly delivered during the fall and spring semesters. You can have your summers off, or may have elective options available. You can start the program in either the fall or spring semester.
Choose a course load that fits your schedule and your goals:
- A typical course load of 5-8 credits per term will allow you to finish in 2-3 years.
- You can complete the program in three fall and spring 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.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 30-credit master’s degree program.
View Courses & Degree Requirement Details
Please note: Not all courses listed in the catalog are available online. To learn which courses are available via the online program, please contact the Program Coordinator.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Patrick Burns
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
* Any non-BIO Extended Campus courses that you take may be priced at a different rate per credit hour (with most being priced lower).
Note: you will be able to complete this program entirely through Extended Campus coursework. However, if you choose to take any courses that are not offered through Extended Campus (whether they are delivered on-campus or online) you will be charged the Resident tuition or Nonresident tuition tuition rate for that course. You will also need to pay the typical student fees that are charged to all on-campus students for that term.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Scholarship Opportunity for Students Pursuing Dual/Concurrent Enrollment Teaching Eligibility
If you are a K-12 teacher in a rural Colorado school district, you might qualify for the Concurrent Enrollment Educator Qualification Scholarship for this program. The scholarship supports rural high school teachers who want to offer college-level classes to their students.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- You may choose to submit standardized test scores. We expect that most applicants will not provide test scores, but they are optional for those who feel that standardized test scores will strengthen their application credentials. If you are considering submitting a recent test result, see the current test score guidelines and minimums for this program.
- Before admission to the program, students should have completed at least four courses in biology and a combined total of three courses in the supporting areas of chemistry, calculus or physics. Students entering the program with deficiencies in coursework will be required to complete coursework based on recommendations of the graduate committee, the school director and the advisor.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
UNC Biological Sciences
On-Campus Delivery Also Available
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Application Deadline
The online program accepts applications throughout the year, and you can begin the program at the start of any academic Fall or Spring semester.
The program has rolling admissions. Review of completed applications (including all supplemental materials) begins on the following dates:
- Fall term applicants: March 1
- Spring term applicants: October 1
If available spots are not filled with the initial review of applications, additional applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all spots are filled or the term begins. If there is not a note here stating that a particular upcoming term is full, then we are still accepting applications for the upcoming fall and spring terms.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis (M.S.)
- Start term: Fall (Aug.) or Spring (Jan.)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status