Professional Master's Programs
Master of Biology
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that biologists will see faster than average employment growth over the next 10 years. This is likely because opportunities for those with a biology degree, specifically a master's degree, are varied and plentiful. Biologists work in sales, teaching, medicine, research management, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs. They are needed in pharmaceutical companies, genetic testing labs, small startups, and large biotech companies. Having a master of biology degree prepares you for the rigors of professional medical education; even budding dentists benefit from having a graduate degree in biology as one-fourth of the Dental Admission Test (DAT) is composed of biology questions.
According to the journal Science, good communication skills are crucial in many biology-related jobs for a clear and open dialogue between lawmakers, companies, and consumers. The professional master's program in biology at IIT emphasizes proficiency in communication, statistics, business principles, and intellectual property management, all of which are essential for career advancement, while providing a solid foundation in biological sciences. The journal Nature Biotechnology mentions that a curriculum such as this is particularly beneficial "in a struggling economy when employers are seeking individuals who have a broad skill set in addition to having a defined expertise."
In addition to teaching this professional skill set to aid in meeting your career goals, the program offers you a choice of pursuing a concentration of courses. Choose from the following recommended specializations:
- Recommended Specializations
Admission Requirements
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A bachelor's degree in biology or a related science field including one year of organic chemistry is required. Domestic students should have a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 from an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all international students, domestic students with an undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 3.0, and at the request of the admissions committee. The minimum GRE requirement for admission to the professional science master of biology program is 300 (1000 on tests prior to August 2011). GRE scores older than five years are not admissible. For more details, please visit the Office of Graduate Admission's website. Undergraduate courses in Genetics, Cell Biology and Biochemistry are recommended. |
| Options for Admission |
| Master of Biology |
| Non Degree-seeking status |
Program Administration
Program Director
Benjamin C. Stark, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Illinois Institute of Technology
tel: 312.567.3488
fax: 312.567.3494
e-mail: starkb@iit.edu
Program Manager, Professional Science Master's Programs
Elizabeth Friedman, Ph.D.
College of Science and Letters
Illinois Institute of Technology
Engineering 1 Suite 234, 10 W. 32nd St., Chicago, IL 60616
Telephone: 312.567.7973
Facsimile: 312.567.3802
e-mail: friedman@iit.edu
Advisory Board
Tracey Colpitts, Ph.D.
Life Science Technical Assessment Lead for Business Development and Licensing
Abbott Laboratories
Mary Lou Tortorello, Ph.D.
Chief, Food Technology Branch
National Center for Food Safety and Technology
David Hayashi, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist
Kraft Foods