4+1 Master of Science in Plant Biology
A research- and thesis-based degree in all aspects of the biology of plants.
The Plant Biology Graduate Program offers the 5th Year Masters Program exclusively for BS graduates from UMass or any other of the Five Colleges. This accelerated program is open to students who have already begun undergraduate research in the lab of a Plant Biology Graduate Program faculty member prior to their senior year and intend to develop that project into a Master's degree.
The program is designed to augment the research and academic training of academically strong students in preparation for the workplace or additional professional studies.
Students who are interested in this program should meet with their academic and research advisors to discuss this option before the end of their junior year. Admission will require the consent of the research advisor, and in most cases, an undergraduate research project will be modified to provide the basis for the Masters Degree Project.
The MS in plant biology can be excellent preparation for further study, such as in the PhD in plant biology program.