Biological science programs are available
online at the master's level from various universities. Students with
access to the Internet can earn a Master of Science in Biology partly or
fully online.
Online Master of Science in Biology Overview
While an undergraduate biological science degree is not always required to enter an online graduate program in the field, students who have completed some undergraduate biology coursework will be most likely to succeed in advanced courses. Some online master's programs are designed specifically to serve working teachers at the middle and high school levels, as well as other professionals, with flexible scheduling via asynchronous coursework. Subjects covered in the programs range from evolution to immunology. Options are available for completing an online master's program in biology with or without a thesis.Online Program Information
Master's degree programs in biology can be completed entirely online or through a combination of online and on-campus courses. Students are expected to interact with one another and professors through methods that may vary with each course; some professors require participation in discussions via online forums, while others hold live chats. Coursework may be text-based or else require a webcam and microphone. Some online-based courses may require proctored exams; this is usually at the discretion of individual professors. Testing centers may be located on campus, or students may be required to find their own testing site with a qualified proctor closer to home.Students must have a computer and, in most cases, a high-speed Internet connection is strongly recommended. A sound card and speakers are usually necessary. Some programs require specific audio and video plug-ins, and schools may provide links to free downloads. Other courses may require students to view lectures and other educational materials on DVDs or CD-ROMs.
List of Commonly Required Courses
Required courses for a master's degree in biology examine many different forms of life, at the cellular level and above. Students also learn how organisms interact with each other to form complex ecosystems.Animal Behavior Course
This course is focused on behavioral adaptations of animals to their environment and the other animals with which they share it. Master's candidates study how different animals find shelter from predators and the elements, obtain food, select mates and raise their young.Cell Biology Course
In this course, the composition and inner workings of cells - including the role of DNA and different organelles within the cell - are covered. Students also learn ways in which cells react to other cells or outside organisms, reproduce and work in concert as parts of larger creatures.Mycology Course
Courses in mycology introduce students to the kingdom of fungi, as well as the many uses of fungi in medicine and other fields. Classes cover the growth and reproduction of fungi, as well as interactions between fungi and the rest of the environment.Ecology Course
This course introduces students to the field of ecology and the relationships plant and animal species have with each other and their environment. Topics covered may also include conservation of fragile or threatened ecosystems.Cancer Biology Course
Students in this course examine causes of cancer at the cellular level. They learn ways in which growth and metabolism are regulated in normal cells and how malfunctions in this regulation can lead to cancer.Career Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, completion of a master's degree program often leads to higher salaries for those in the teaching profession (www.bls.gov). Also per the bureau, middle school and high school teachers earned an average annual salary of $53,550 and $55,150 in May 2009, respectively. Master's degree-holders may also teach at 2-year colleges; in May 2009, the average salary for biological science teachers at junior colleges was $66,350.Graduates with master's degrees in biology may also pursue careers in the areas of product development and applied research; for instance, they might find work as medical or research technicians in the pharmaceutical industry or other fields. Many biological scientists find employment in federal, state or local government, including positions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and National Institutes of Health.
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