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About the MS in Biology at Loyola
Biology is a professional field that is essential to society's health and well-being on a number of levels. The biology field fuels advances in areas like medicine, conservation, and the effects of climate change, while providing an understanding of how our natural world functions and has evolved.
The Master of Science (MS) in Biology program, offered through the Graduate School, prepares you to contribute to scientific discovery at the highest level.
Through Loyola's MS in Biology program, you can engage in research opportunities across a broad range of research areas, including ecology, evolution, microbiology, genetics, neuroscience, and cell, developmental, and molecular biology.
Program Structure
The MS in Biology is a full-time program. Classes are held at the Lake Shore Campus, located on Chicago's North Side, right along Lake Michigan, in a diverse and dynamic residential area.
The MS in Biology is a 30-credit-hour program that includes required core courses, electives, teaching practica, and research activities.
If you are interested in this program, please contact individual faculty members to discuss research opportunities in their areas of interest and gain the necessary thesis direction for entry.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
Get a head start on your master’s degree by earning graduate credits as a senior. This program is eligible for an Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP), welcoming students from any undergraduate major who meet admission requirements.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for the MS in Biology?
- A faculty of renowned experts and leading scholars
- An emphasis on rigorous scientific training and research
- An opportunity for field-based research
- A longstanding tradition of academic excellence
- An unparalleled setting with cutting-edge resources
- An added focus on teaching skills
- A tight-knit community of teachers and learners
The program's graduate faculty is composed of internationally acclaimed researchers and scholars. They are active, engaged mentors who will involve you in research at the forefront of modern biology.
Students in the MS in Biology engage in all aspects of the research process, from project development and data acquisition and analysis to manuscript writing and presentations to share at national and international conferences.
Unlike most graduate programs, which are only laboratory-based, Loyola's MS in Biology provides numerous opportunities to research in real world, field settings. For example, students with an interest in aquatic and organismal biology and evolution may have the opportunity to work at sites in places like Alaska, British Columbia, and the Caribbean.
Loyola University Chicago's Department of Biology is widely recognized for its excellence in programming, research opportunities, and overarching impact on the scientific community.
Our location along Lake Michigan in the heart of Chicago offers an array of professional connections. You will also benefit from high-quality resources and equipment, including a micro-CT scanner, confocal microscope, SEM, TEM, a greenhouse, and fish rooms.
The program delivers a series of workshops and practicums designed to foster teaching experiences and skills.
As a student in the program, you will belong to a supportive, tight-knit community where people work together, learn from each other, interact professionally and socially, and maintain personal connections well into the future.
Biology Department
The Department of Biology has extensive resources to support superior teaching and research in all the major areas of contemporary biological sciences to prepare students for graduate school or other professional studies, teaching, or careers in industry or government. Find stories showcasing current students and graduates from the Biology MS program and learn more about why Loyola is right for you.
Department WebsiteDepartment News and StoriesMeet the Faculty
The faculty members you will interact with in the MS in Biology program are exceptional instructors and dedicated mentors who conduct significant research in a wide array of topics and disciplines. Faculty research interests include developmental biology, cell and molecular biology, neurobiology, organismal biology, paleontology, and ecology.
Loyola's biology faculty attract a significant amount of external grant support, allowing them to pursue projects that are at the forefront of modern biology.
MS in Biology: Career Connections
As a graduate of the MS in Biology program, you'll be prepared for roles in any number of professional settings, including government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Army Corps of Engineers; as well as private industry and teaching at the high school, community college, and college level.
Many program graduates also move on to pursue a doctorate.
You will benefit from faculty and alumni connections at prestigious institutions such as the Chicago Field Museum, Morton Arboretum, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Chicago Botanic Garden.
Specific job options include:
- Biochemist
- Cell and molecular biologist
- Microbiologist
- Environmental scientist
- Evolutionary biologist
- Developmental biologist
- Research scientist
- Forensic scientist
- Aquatic biologist
- Geneticist
- Neuroscientist
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Biology MS program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Biology MS learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2025-2026 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMS in Biology Results and Skills
In the MS in Biology program you will develop a wide range of skills, including:
- Proficiency in experimental design and analysis
- Proficiency in scientific writing and reading scientific literature
- Communication skills in teaching and presenting research
- Thinking critically, analyzing data, and scientific writing
- The ability to interact as an independent researcher
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a Loyola alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Accelerated Master's Pathway Cost Benefit
This program has an Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP) for current Loyola undergraduates. Through the AMP, you can lower the cost of a master's degree by earning graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rates (before your undergraduate degree is conferred). Once you graduate with your bachelor’s degree, you will also be eligible for the Returning Rambler Scholarship, offering 25% off graduate tuition.
Tuition and Costs
| Program | Credit Hours | Cost Per Credit Hour | Estimated Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology MS | 30 | $1,270.00 | $38100.00 |
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
The Graduate School Funding Opportunities
Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.
Biology MS Assistantships
The Biology Department offers a limited number of research assistantships on a competitive basis that include stipend, tuition scholarships, and health insurance.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
This program has multiple versions you can apply to. Find specific information about the application process for each option below. Please note that Accelerated Master's Pathways are only for current Loyola undergraduate students.
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Biology MS are listed below:
Fall
Merit award deadline: February 1
Final deadline: June 1
Please note that applications are not reviewed until the deadline passes.
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Biology MS include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
3 Letters of Recommendation
Approval from a Faculty Research Advisor
Statement of Purpose
Approval from a Faculty Research Advisor
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Admission to the Biology MS program requires successful completion of one year of general chemistry and one year of organic chemistry.
Statement of Purpose Details
Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals.
Application Deadlines
Loyola students should apply to Accelerated Master's Pathways (AMP) during their junior year. The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Biology MS are listed below:
Fall: March 1
Late applications will be considered if space allows.
Application Requirements
Please note that only current Loyola undergraduates are eligible for AMPs. Application requirements for the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Biology MS include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.3 Minimum GPA
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
One letter must be from the your potential Research Advisor.
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Admission to the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Biology MS requires successful completion of the following courses:
Two of the following Biology courses:
- BIOL 251: Cell Biology
- BIOL 265: Ecology
- BIOL 282: Genetics
CHEM 160
Recommended: BIOL 296, BIOL 396, or BIOL 399 (or equivalent)
Statement of Purpose Details
Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Biology MS program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY