Biology M.S.
The M.S. Biology Program is Designed to Provide Students With an Opportunity for Advanced Study within a Field of Interest.
Students will receive the focused training necessary for obtaining entry-level professional positions, acquiring mid-level positions requiring specialized skills, and acceptance into doctoral level graduate programs. Admission into the program is competitive and selective. Applicants that meet the minimum requirements for consideration may not necessarily be admitted into the program.
Currently accepting applications for Fall 2026
Application deadline January 15th, 2026 by 5pm EST
Meet the Biology Graduate Faculty & Staff
Department Contact
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Accreditation
Toggle More InfoInstitutional Accreditation
Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation
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Admissions and Curriculum Information
Toggle More InfoVisit the FGCU Academic Catalog to review specific Admissions information and Program Requirements.
For undergraduate degree programs, also see the Degree Map that can be used as a semester-by-semester guide to timely graduation.
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Course Descriptions
Toggle More InfoOfficial Course Descriptions
Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.
Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
- Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
- Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
- Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
- Press Search
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Course Schedule
Toggle More InfoGetting started with the Course Schedule Search
Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.
Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
- Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
- Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
- Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.
**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
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Learning Outcomes
Toggle More InfoM.S. Biology
Graduate Student Learning OutcomesMSBio-DIS1
Evaluate and analyze biological information in their appropriate contexts.
MSBio-DIS2
Interpret scholarly research within the biological sciences.
MSBio-COM1
Demonstrate effective formal written scientific communication.
MSBio-COM2
Effectively articulate scientific information orally to appropriate audiences.
MSBio-CRT1
Interpret scientific evidence and apply analysis to defend or reject claims.
MSBio-CRT2
Apply effective quantitative reasoning and statistical understanding.
MSBio-CRT3
Connect scientific knowledge and understanding of concepts across biology.
Learning Outcomes will be assessed in the following courses:MSBio-DIS1BSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarPCB 6455C - Research Design and Bio StatsPCB 6526C - Molecular Methods in BiologyMSBio-DIS2BSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarPCB 6455C - Research Design and Bio StatsPCB 6526C - Molecular Methods in BiologyMSBio-COM1BSC 6840 - Ethics & Compliance in BiologyBSC 6846 - Sci Writing & CommunicationBSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarMSBio-COM2BSC 6840 - Ethics & Compliance in BiologyBSC 6846 - Sci Writing & CommunicationBSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarMSBio-CRT1BSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarPCB 6455C - Research Design and Bio StatsPCB 6526C - Molecular Methods in BiologyMSBio-CRT2BSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarPCB 6455C - Research Design and Bio StatsPCB 6526C - Molecular Methods in BiologyMSBio-CRT3BSC 6938 - Seminar in BiologyBSC 6975 - Thesis Defense SeminarPCB 6455C - Research Design and Bio StatsPCB 6526C - Molecular Methods in Biology -
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
Toggle More InfoTuition and Fees
Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.
Tuition Waivers
A limited number of tuition waivers, which cover only in-state matriculation fees, are available. These are awarded competitively. To access the application, visit the tuition waiver page.
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for full-time students (those enrolled in 9 or more credit hours per semester). These are awarded competitively, and admission into the program does not guarantee a graduate assistantship.
Teaching Assistantships
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available for full-time students who have passed 18 hours of graduate coursework. These are awarded competitively; meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee a teaching assistantship.
Financial Aid
Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment.
