Master of Science in Integrative Biology

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• Program Benefits

KSU's Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB) degree program will help you understand the links between scientific disciplines, concepts, and organizational scales when working to solve complex life science problems.

M.S. in Integrative Biology = One program in two departments!

Our program integrates through all levels of biological organization, from groups of molecules to communities of organisms - and back! We have two exclusive life sciences departments that work together with the Integrative Biology graduate degree program. Faculty in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology investigate at the organismal level and above. In contrast, faculty in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology tend to explore the cellular level and below.

The MSIB is a research-based program with a curriculum that provides integrative courses and experiences designed to foster connections across the life sciences spectrum. This approach will prepare you to become a scientist who can formulate an appropriate methodology to address complex questions in the biological sciences. 

Integrative Biology is a practical approach to solving complex issues and has been identified by the National Academy of Sciences as an emerging paradigm. 

Tuition waivers and teaching/research assistantships are available.

There are many careers options available with an advanced degree in the field of biology, including:

• Curriculum Flexibility – Whether your future plan includes continuing in higher education in a Doctoral program or professional school or entering a bioscience career, the MSIB program integrates core biological principles with a curriculum that can be customized to fit your area of interests.
• Thesis-Focused Research – You will work with a faculty adviser in the laboratory or out in the field conducting experiments to develop your thesis research. The mentoring relationship is designed to help you apply the concepts you learn from the coursework to the real world of science.
• Well-Equipped Research Facilities – The MSIB program is well-equipped to research a wide variety of organisms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. These resources include the Microscopy Core Facility, Animal Care - Aquatics Facility, Histology Core Facility, and the Joyce and Pegues Memorial Greenhouse, to name a few.