Biology (MSBio)

• Completed application for admission, including:
  • Online application
  • One to two page essay on career plans and reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in biology
  • 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 Tyson Schrader.

An in-depth study of both regional gross human anatomic structures and cellular-level tissue. The course is clinically oriented with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary, urinary, and reproductive systems. Regional study of the head/neck, trunk, and upper/lower extremities is accomplished through human cadaver dissection.

A study of the modern concepts of the gene. Lectures stress theory and experimental evidence relating to the structure of the gene, heritability of characteristics, and the behavior of genes in populations.

View Full Current Curriculum*

*This is the 2019-2020 academic year curriculum. The curriculum is subject to change for academic year 2020-2021. Students enrolling in Fall 2020 should consult their advisor for changes.