![Fossilized animals in brown rock](/natural-sciences/sites/g/files/ijdqth206/files/styles/4_3_l/public/2023-03/MS%20Organismic%20and%20Evolutionary%20Bio-1.jpg?h=e24b58ec&itok=GT4WF4pA)
4+1 Master of Science in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Study biological processes ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem level.
As a graduate student in this accelerated, fifth-year MS in organismic and evolutionary biology program, you’ll receive broad, integrative training in ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, and organismal biology.
Our interdepartmental faculty come from across the university, with specialties in anthropology, environmental conservation, kinesiology, and psychological and brain sciences, among other fields.
Your coursework may be tailored to your specific training needs, but ideally should cover the three core areas of OEB focus: evolution, ecology, and quantitative skills.
Applicants should have well-established research projects in the lab of an OEB faculty member that they intend to develop into a master’s degree project.
The organismic and evolutionary biology MS program is available to life sciences undergraduates from UMass or any of the other Five Colleges (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith).