Which Universities Offer Biology Degrees & Majors in Massachusetts?

Career Info for Biology Specialists in Massachusetts

If you study biology, you can consider becoming a biochemist or biophysicist. In these roles, you'll lead research studies and experiments to better understand living things and specific concepts, like cell development. To become a biochemist or biophysicist, you'll need to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or a related field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you choose to get this degree, then you'll spend two to three years doing entry-level postdoctoral research, usually in an assistant's role to a seasoned scientist. You may be able to find entry-level work in biochemistry and biophysics with a bachelor's or master's degree in biology or a related field, the BLS reported.

Salary Stats and Job Outlook for Biology Specialists in Massachusetts

In May 2011, about 2,500 biochemists and biophysicists were working in Massachusetts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The mean annual salary for these types of employees in Massachusetts was about $93,000 in that same year. The salaries for these types of biochemists and biophysicists were above the national average of roughly $88,000, according to the May 2011 BLS survey.

The BLS predicted that employment of biochemists and biophysicists would grow 31% between 2010 and 2020. This is considered a faster-than-average growth rate when compared to all jobs nationwide, but the field is small, which means only about 7,700 new jobs over the next decade, the BLS found.

Bachelor's Degrees in Biology in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $20,885 per year (tuition for the 2012-13 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, private; not-for-profit; 10,900 students (about 4,400 undergraduate students)
• Address: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., 68-132, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• Phone: (617) 253-4718

If you're ready to learn about various biological concepts, ranging from biochemistry to cell biology, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The school gives you the option of taking the Course 7 or Course 7A track, depending on your interests and career plans. The Course 7 plan is research-based, and you'll be prepared for a professional career in biology after college. The Course 7A track is for students who don't want to take laboratory research classes.

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Biology or Bachelor of Arts in Biology
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $13,230 per year for in-state students; $26,645 for out-of-state students; $19,200 per year for students in the New England Regional Student Program (NERSP) (tuition and fees for the 2012-13 school year; excludes room and board)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 28,100 students (about 21,800 undergraduate students)
• Address: Department of Biology, 221 Morrill Science Center, 611 North Pleasant Street, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
• Phone: (413) 545-4400

You'll need to earn at least 65 credits to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology or a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. The core classes will cover math, biology, and physical sciences, in addition to chemistry, physics, and statistics classes. You'll also learn about specific aspects of biology, like cellular biology and development, physiology, and ecology.

Master's Degree Programs in Biology in Massachusetts

Boston University

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Biology
• Program Length: up to 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: $42,400 per year (tuition for the 2012-13 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, private; not-for-profit; 32,400 students (about 18,100 undergraduate students)
• Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree in biology or related field
• Admission Requirements: Application, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, transcript, letters of recommendation, resume and personal statement
• Address: Boston University Department of Biology, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
• Phone: (617) 353-2432

You can enroll in either the research-based or non-research Master of Arts in Biology program at Boston University. You'll take a range of lecture, seminar, and research classes that cover all aspects of biology, such as molecular biology and ecosystems. Your studies can prepare you for a Ph.D. program or a professional career that involves biology.

Tufts University

• Program Name: Master of Science in Biology
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition: $42,856 per year (tuition for the 2012-13 school year; additional fees may apply)
• School Type: 4-year, private; not-for-profit; 10,800 students (about 5,200 undergraduate students)
• Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree
• Requirements: Application, GRE scores, transcript, letters of recommendation, resume, and personal statement
• Address: Department of Biology, Tufts University, 163 Packard Ave., Medford, Massachusetts 02155
• Phone: (617) 627-3195

The Master of Science in Biology program at Tufts University is designed for students who want to gain an in-depth knowledge of the field through classes on evolutionary biology, molecular biology, and cell biology. You have two options within your graduate degree: one doesn't include research, and the other includes research and a thesis. The graduate degree program prepares students for doctoral programs or professional careers with private and government research organizations.

Doctoral Degree Programs in Biology in Massachusetts

Boston University

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology
• Program Length: At least 5 years, full-time
• Tuition: $42,400 per year (tuition for the 2012-13 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, private; not-for-profit; 32,400 students (about 18,100 undergraduate students)
• Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree in biology or related field
• Requirements: Application, GRE scores, transcript, letters of recommendation, resume, and personal statement
• Address: Boston University Department of Biology, 5 Cummington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
• Phone: (617) 353-2432

If you earn your Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology from Boston University, you'll have the opportunity to choose from five concentrations that include cell and molecular biology, neurobiology, ecology, behavior and evolution, and marine biology. Once enrolled, you'll need to complete 16 full semester courses and maintain at least a B average. Your classes will be a mix of lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses, and you'll have the opportunity to work closely with your professors on research and consultation.

Tufts University

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology
• Program Length: 5 years, full-time
• Tuition: $25,714 per year (tuition for the 2012-13 school year)
• School Type: 4-year, private; not-for-profit; 10,800 students (about 5,200 undergraduate students)
• Prerequisite: Bachelor's degree
• Requirements: Application, GRE scores, transcript, letters of recommendation, resume, and personal statement
• Address: Department of Biology, Tufts University, 163 Packard Ave., Medford, Massachusetts 02155
• Phone: (617) 627-3195

Tufts University offers six concentration areas: ecology, behavior and evolution, genetics and molecular biology, developmental biology, neurobiology and animal behavior, cell physiology, and conservation and the environment. You'll have the opportunity to take part in independent research and take part in seminars and teaching. The school also requires students to develop and defend a dissertation before being awarded a Ph.D. in Biology.