Biology (Biology and Society), MS
Do you need more than a foundation in biology? Do you want to take your training into society and bring about change? In this multidisciplinary degree, you build the knowledge and skills for tangible action. You prepare for a career, a doctoral program or other professional studies while learning to bring about meaningful change.
Quick facts
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Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Biology and Society master's description
In the biology and society concentration of the Master of Science program in biology, you examine topics in which biology intersects with society.
The concentration tailors individual plans of study to your needs and interests, with a solid grounding in the life and related sciences and with a rigorous analytical and interdisciplinary education. The program offers suggested courses if you wish to focus on these areas: bioethics, policy and law; biology education research; ecology, economics and ethics of the environment; and history and philosophy of science.
Bioethics, policy and law --- You train in the pressing moral, policy and legal issues raised by the biosciences and biomedicine and in the disciplinary methods necessary to address these issues.
Biology education research --- You focuses on carrying out education research to identify ways to improve undergraduate biology education broadly.
Ecology, economics and ethics of the environment --- You train in the theory and empirical methods for understanding, analyzing and shaping policy for coupled human-natural systems.
History and philosophy of science --- You train in the conceptual foundations of science, especially the epistemological and methodological assumptions that shape science and its progress through time.
Why specialize in biology and society at ASU?
At ASU, you work alongside experienced faculty and take part in research that connects the life sciences with pressing questions in policy, ethics and education. The interdisciplinary approach and flexible coursework let you shape a plan of study around your own interests.
You also have support from an administrative team in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that works specifically with biology and society students. That focused guidance helps you navigate your coursework and research so you can move confidently toward your goals.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours and a thesis
Required Core (1 credit hour) Concentration (2 credit hours) Electives or Research (21 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1) or
BIO 611 Current Topics in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in the Life Sciences (1)
BIO 615 Biology and Society Lab (1), taken twice
BIO 599 Thesis (6)
The Electives or Research category allows an individual student program to be developed in consultation with the student's advisor and committee.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Able to articulate an understanding of current literature on scientific developments and their relevance to society in scholarly writing.
- Able to contribute to original biology and society research in scholarly writing.
- Able to communicate biology and society research results in presentations.
Able to articulate an understanding of current literature on scientific developments and their relevance to society in scholarly writing.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Students are expected to have completed the equivalent of core requirements for an undergraduate major in biology or a related discipline (typically evolution, genetics and other courses appropriate to the student's particular interests). Students who do not have an undergraduate-level competency in the sciences may be considered for conditional admission to the biology and society concentration.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this biology and society master's degree prepares you for
Graduates are prepared for academic careers. Their skills and knowledge are also valuable for government careers in federal and state agencies responsible for management and conservation and for careers in industry and nongovernmental organizations.
Career examples include:
- instructor at a university or college
- lawyer
- researcher analyzing health care, environmental or educational systems in an academic, government, nonprofit, private or industrial organization
- science communicator in an academic, private or industrial organization
- science policymaker or administrator
- science or social studies teacher in an elementary or high school
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Life Sciences
|
LSA 181
sols.grad@asu.edu
480-965-1768
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
