Biology, M.S.

The Department of Integrative Biology is committed to train the next generation of graduate students to prepare them for professional success in the biological sciences. Our program of graduate study is designed to foster the development of technical and analytical skills used in existing and emerging fields of discovery. The Department of Integrative Biology emphasizes learning and teaching about the interactions, across all scales, among humans and other diverse organisms in a range of environments. These interactions mediate the resilience of natural biotic systems, and enhance the sustainability of products and processes that are beneficial to ecosystems and consequently to human well-being. Thus, our mission is to create new knowledge and promote learning about ecosystem health and sustainability.

The mission of the Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology (CMMB) is to prepare graduate students for professional careers in academia, government or industry in the areas of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology. We pursue excellence in the following programmatic research areas: genome integrity and mechanisms of aging, bacterial pathogenesis and resistance, structural and computational biology.

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

• Prospective students must apply to the Biology M.S. major with a specific concentration via the online application process through the USF Office of Admissions.
• GRE: Preferred scores of 155V (69th percentile), 150Q (38th percentile), 4.5AW
• Acceptance by a faculty member in the IB or CMBB Department is MANDATORY. The Departments will make every effort to pair potential graduate students with appropriate faculty; however, it is recommended that applicants make direct contact with individual faculty via email to indicate an interest in the reserach being conducted in their laboratory.
• It is expected that candidates for the M.S. degrees will have completed courses equivalent to those required for the B.S. in Biology at U.S.F.
• Interviews may be required.  
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty in sealed envelopes (on their university letterhead) with the envelope seal signed by the recommender. Students shall complete a Student Recommendation Form that can be found on the CMMB and IB website and submit it to the recommenders. 
• A brief essay stating your intended field of research and professional goals. Please indicate your specific research interests, in order that we may refer your application to appropriate CMMB or IB faculty members. In the essay, please list 2-3 CMMB or IB faculty members that you would like to have review your file.
• Applicant must complete the Application for Teaching Assistantship (TA) Form that can be found on the Department website if they wish to be considered for a TA position. Applicants who do not return this form will not be considered for a teaching position. Applicants should attach a resume to the Application for Teaching Assistantship (TA) Form that highlights any previous teaching experience.

You need to complete credit hours to successfully obtain this degree. Please check detail of study units at https://catalog.usf.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=3889&returnto=1384

The Master’s Degree Requirements should be completed in two to three years. Students must choose a specific concentration in the M.S. degree that will be completed within either the CMMB or IB Department.

You can join one of the following careers:

• Microbiologist
• Biologist