Master of Science - Biological Sciences

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Biological Sciences within the School of Life Sciences (SoLS) consists of four sectional research concentrations that reflect the scope of modern biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Integrative Physiology (IP), Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), and Microbiology (MB). The degree is research centered and requires the defense of a thesis that describes a novel research project that can serve as the basis for the publication of at least one paper in a peer-reviewed journal.

The M.S. degree in Biological Sciences prepares students for careers in education, government, and industry as well as preparing them for more advanced degrees in the life sciences. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours from a list of core and approved courses within their section.

The College of Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to approximately 3,000 students in various areas.

With approximately 130 full-time faculty, the college has created a well-rounded curriculum by combining practical and empirical knowledge with scientific fundamentals and principles, which provides a solid foundation for a successful career in the sciences and other professional programs.

The research opportunities available to our students and faculty allow them to make inquiries and observations necessary for scientific discoveries. These discoveries are helping to protect and preserve Nevada and its citizens.

Students, faculty, and staff participate in many programs that foster a positive relationship between UNLV and members of the community.

Students have access to facilities, laboratories, research centers, and institutes on campus and throughout the country. This access enhances the classroom experience, fosters educational development, and builds relationships within the scientific community.

The college offers programs in life sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, geoscience, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy, and water management.

The student-faculty relationship, hands-on research, and community service help ensure that students who graduate are prepared for whatever path they choose.

The mission of the College of Sciences is to serve the students of UNLV, the citizens of Nevada and the United States, and society worldwide through research and discovery that expands knowledge in the natural, physical, and mathematical sciences. We communicate this knowledge to students in a rewarding learning environment, and to communities beyond the university through active engagement of diverse constituencies.

The College of Sciences endeavors to develop and nurture a community of scientists and scholars who are among the world leaders in their disciplinary areas, and who generate knowledge at the forefront of science. Research and discovery, in symbiosis with education, are our hallmarks. Addressing fundamental questions related to earth sciences, biological systems, physical and chemical systems, mathematics, and the universe will continue to be core focus areas. In conjunction with colleagues within and outside of the university, faculty and students participate in the application and exploitation of our scientific discoveries and expertise to the benefit of the university, the citizens of Nevada, and society at large.

The College of Sciences creates innovative and engaging learning environments in which students are educated to the full extent of their abilities. Our programs produce highly skilled and knowledgeable scientists educated in a premier research environment. In addition, we provide the education needed by diverse student populations, ranging from formal grounding in the sciences for technical disciplines, to a general appreciation and understanding of the sciences for non-specialists. We strive to develop comprehensive educational initiatives and services, and engage our alumni and friends in mutually beneficial relationships in support of teaching, research, and community service activities.