Biology (MSBio)

Biology (MSBio) Overview

As of 1.1.22, the MSBIO program is no longer accepting applications. All currently enrolled students will progress through the program to completion. Students interested in this program should explore our Master of Arts in Biomedical Studies program.

There has never been a more exciting time to be a biologist. Every day, life-changing discoveries are made in basic science. In many professions, the master's degree is now the minimum requirement for either employment or advancement. Many students have used our Master of Science in Biology as a stepping stone to careers in research, teaching, and advocacy. With the flexibility of two tracks, the MS Biology program mentors students through the completion of either an independent research project or a formal thesis.

Degrees Offered

Program School

School of Arts, Science & Business

Application Deadlines

Varies by Term

Recommended deadlines:
Fall entry: April 1
Spring entry: October 1
Summer entry: March 1
We will continue to accept applications after recommended deadlines if there is space in the program.

Credits Required

34-36

The program can typically be completed in two years.

Cost Per Credit

$1,126

Cost consists of program tuition (cost per credit times number of credits) as well as any applicable University and degree-specific fees.

Career Opportunities

Successful Outcomes

We are proud of our 90% success rate for student placement in advanced degrees after completing our program.

Explore the Master of Science in Biology Degree:

The thesis track provides the research experience needed for students who wish to apply to Ph.D. programs, teach, or work in research positions. Students complete two thesis courses, a course in research design, a course in biostatistics, and nine courses related to research interests.

The non-thesis track is similar to the thesis track and also takes two years, but the scientific inquiry can be an applied research project, rather than the pure, basic research required for a thesis project. For example, a student might wish to explore different pedagogical strategies for teaching high school students, or perform environmental monitoring. Students complete an independent study project, a course in study design, a course in biostatistics, a course in scientific dissemination, and nine courses related to biological interests.

The MSBIO program is no longer accepting applications. All currently enrolled students will progress through the program to completion. Students interested in this program should explore our Master of Arts in Biomedical Studies program.

Completed application for admission, including:
- Online application
- Admissions Essay
- Additional research intentions statement that includes your preference for a faculty mentor.
- Curriculum vita or resume
- Two letters of recommendation (three if GPA is less than 3.0). At least one recommendation must be from an academic source, preferably from a math or science professor.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale and overall science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, for all transcripts (undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and graduate). Admission for students with less than a 3.0 overall and science GPA is rare but possible with clear evidence of improved academic or professional development (e.g. research or work experience, GRE scores, MCAT scores, etc.)
Possession of a baccalaureate degree in biology or a related field from an accredited college or university. At a minimum, students should have successfully completed the following:
- 1 year introductory biology (with lab)
- 1 year introductory chemistry (with lab)
- 1 semester organic chemistry with lab (2 semesters preferred)
- 1 course in statistics
- 1 additional college-level mathematics course
- 3–4 upper level courses in human biology, biochemistry, or psychobiology.

Students who are admitted conditionally may be required to enroll in the online Harvard HMX Fundamentals courses in immunology, physiology, genetics, and biochemistry prior to starting the program.

For more information about the Harvard HMX program, please email Admissions.

Admissions materials may be submitted to:
Chatham University
Office of Graduate Admission
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Email Admissions

International Applicants

International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.

BIO508 | Developmental Biology
A study of the embryonic and post-embryonic development of animals, with special emphasis on humans. The morphogenesis, growth and mechanisms of differentiation are stressed. Other topics include cancer, regeneration, cloning, hormones as mediators of development, and developmental genetics.

BIO514 | Advanced Human Physiology
An in-depth study of the mechanisms of human body function, emphasizing cells, genetic control of protein synthesis, transport across membranes, contraction and excitation of muscles, the physiology of cardiac muscle, and rhythmical excitation of the normal heart.

BIO532 | Biostatistics
The study and application of biostatistics and probability distributions in biology, for students who already have a working knowledge of statistics and want to understand the place and application of biostatistical methods in science. Topics include hypothesis testing, analysis of variance for one and many variables, and linear and nonlinear regression. Three hours of class per week.

View Full Curriculum

Chatham's primary mission is teaching, so we offer our MSBio program because we know there is a need for it in our community. We know the program is successful because of the high success rate of our graduates.

— LISA LAMBERT, Ph.D., professor of biology and AVP for Undergraduate Learning

Our Faculty

Faculty members are accomplished teachers, scholars, practitioners, and active leaders in the field.

Full Faculty

Robert Lettan

Chair of the Science Department and Associate Professor of Chemistry

John Dubé

Program Director, MA Biomedical Studies, and Associate Professor of Biology

Ali Abdulrahman

Assistant Professor of Human Anatomy

Ethan Block

Associate Professor of Biology

Michael Collyer

Professor of Biology

Kevin Hatala

Assistant Professor of Biology

Lisa Lambert

Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Learning & Professor of Biology

Jorge Sierra Fonseca

Assistant Professor of Neuroscience

Erin Marie Williams-Hatala

Program Coordinator for the Biological Sciences, Associate Professor of Biology

Caylin Winchell

Assistant Professor of Biology

Erica Baken

Postdoctoral Fellow

Photo of Chatham University Professor Erin Williams-Hatala working in a lab

Research Opportunities

Engaging in guided research projects, students have opportunities to learn cutting edge theoretical and practical skills, while exploring interests in human physiology, evolution, microbiology, environmental chemistry, computational modeling, and more. Click the button below to read more about our faculty members' current research topics. We encourage students to identify with a faculty member's research interests first, then to email their graduate admission recruiter to discuss applying.

Explore Faculty Research

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Help Funding Your Degree

Admitted students who plan to start in the fall term may apply for one of the limited number of assistantships available, typically to provide research assistance, lab assistance, or teaching assistance to undergraduate courses. Graduate assistantships offer funding in the form of tuition remission in the fall and spring terms.

View Funding Opportunities

Chatham University medical student holds a scalpel while performing an exercise with an instructor.

MA in Biomedical Studies

Looking to enhance your credentials to apply to medical, dental, physician assistant, or veterinary schools? Chatham offers a one-year Master of Arts in Biomedical Studies (MABS) degree offering professional preparation for success in health science programs.

Learn About MABS

Outcomes & Student Success

We have a greater than 90% success rate for student placement in advanced degrees after completing our program, and recent graduates have gone on to hold the following positions: Ph.D. Pharmacology graduate student at Duquesne University, newborn audiologist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, science education and research coordinator at Phipps Conservatory, medical laboratory scientist at Perkin Elmer Genetics.

Photo of Sabina Spigner, smiling in professional clothes

Alumni Feature: Sabina Spigner, MSBIO '18

“Because Chatham is such a tight-knit community, I was really able to make deep connections with my peers and professors. I loved the material, I loved learning it, I loved feeling like I was smart again. I didn’t know if I was capable of being a good enough student to succeed in med school, so Chatham really helped build my self-esteem back up. I had a great two years.”

Alumni Profile: Alysha Slater, MSBIO '19

“After graduating from undergrad and working as a vet technician, I decided to pursue a PhD program in ecology, behavior and evolution with an emphasis on animal sociality and dominance,” Alysha Slater, MSBIO '19 says. “I found Chatham’s MSBIO program, and thought it would be a good way to get more experience with research, since I didn’t have too much as an undergrad.”

Meet Alysha Slater, MSBIO '19

Photo of Chatham University's Shadyside Campus

What Our Students Say

“My experience at Chatham was exactly what I needed to help me succeed in getting into dental school. I was accepted at my top two choices soon after I graduated, and I know that I couldn't have succeeded without Chatham's MS biology program.”—Grace Wanwan Zhang '12

Do you have questions?