Resources for Prospective Students

The Master of Science degree program, designed for full-time and part-time students, provides a comprehensive foundation in modern biology. Specialized master's-level tracks in biological sciences, bioinformatics and systems biology, oral biology, and recombinant DNA technology are available (see Courses of Study below).

The program is typically completed in 1.5 or 2 years, however, some students have completed it in 1 year by taking additional courses each semester.

Applications for admission to the M.S. Program are accepted for Fall or Spring admission. Applicants for admission to the M.S. program must have successfully completed an undergraduate major in a science or followed a pre-health curriculum (B average or better generally required) and must submit three letters of recommendation.

Testing: The TOEFL or IELTS is required for foreign applicants. GRE scores are not required and they will not be considered when making admissions decisions. DAT scores are optional for Oral Biology track applicants, and will be considered if submitted. Scoring well on the test may strengthen your application, especially if you perceive that you have weaknesses in your prior academic record.

For more application information, please visit the GSAS Application Resource Center website.

Application deadlines for Master's programs: 

• June 30 (Fall)
• November 1 (Spring)

Students are awarded a Master of Science degree on (1) completion of 36 points with an average of B or better and (2) satisfactory completion of a qualifying research paper (also known as the Master's thesis). Of the 36 points required, 24 must be from the Department of Biology at New York University. For additional curriculum information see Courses of Study below.

Students are encouraged to build their own course curricula and research plans and will have opportunities for collaborations with other departments and institutes, including NYU's Chemistry and Physics departments, NYU Langone Medical School, the College of Dentistry, the Center for Neural Science, the Courant Institute for Mathematical Science, and the New York Genome Center.

1. M.S. in Biology, a program providing a broad base in the principles of modern biology, which frequently includes advanced coursework in cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, neurobiology, immunology, genetics, genomics, and systems biology. This program is designed for either part or full-time students.

   Students in the Master's of Biology program have several options for their course of study and choose from the following tracks:

   1. General Biology provides students with general knowledge of biology. Students interested in applying to medical school typically choose this track. Track adviser: Dr. Christine A. Rushlow.
   2. Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, (formerly called Computers in Biology) provides students with a firm understanding of the application of computational technology to both theoretical and practical aspects of the study of biology. Track adviser: Dr. Manpreet S. Katari.
   3. Applied Recombinant DNA Technology, a specialization designed to give students a thorough training in molecular biology, including both design of approaches that use recombinant DNA technology, as well as hands-on training in laboratory techniques. Track adviser: Dr. Nikolai Kirov.
   4. Oral Biology is offered through the Department of Biology in collaboration with the NYU College of Dentistry. The goal of the specialization includes advancing the knowledge base in oral biology in order to provide 1) pre-dental applicants with an opportunity to strengthen their bio-science education, thereby increasing their competitiveness for admission to dental school, and 2) US and international dentists with graduate-level training and experience in research methodology and technology to better qualify them for careers in academic dentistry and/or healthcare-related industry activities; and enabling practicing dentists to improve the quality of care they offer by increasing their understanding of basic biological principles in a field applicable to dentistry. Track adviser: Dr. Joseph Guttenplan.
   5. Public Health is offered through the Department of Biology in collaboration with the NYU School of Global Public Health. The goal of the specialization is to advance the knowledge base of biology in order to more deeply understand the biological, psychosocial, and structural determinants of human health on a population scale. Track advisor: Dr. Jane Carlton.
      
2. Dual Degree M.S. in Biology and MBA from Stern, offered in conjunction with NYU's Stern School of Business. This program meets a need for academic preparation and training in Scientist-Managers for the biotechnology and pharmacology industries, academic Industrial Liaison personnel, Investment Specialists for the financial sector, and Government Regulatory personnel. Program advisers: Dr. Christine A. Rushlow and Genna McCabe for Stern (academicaffairs@stern.nyu.edu). GRE for Applicants to Biology/Business: GRE general test or GMAT scores required. Send official GMAT test scores to GSAS using school code 5TF-5G-76 (also separately send GMAT scores to Stern where the GMAT is required, using their GMAT school code). Stern application deadline: December 15 (Fall admission only). For more dual degree program information: www.stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/dual-degrees/mba-ms-in-biology.