MA (SMP) in Biological Sciences
A flexible master’s program built around your goals
The Biological Sciences MA Special Master’s Program at the University at Buffalo is designed for students who want results and flexibility. You can strengthen your academic profile, prepare for health professions or explore research through graduate level coursework and close faculty mentorship. With fall and spring entry and a flexible timeline, the program adapts to your goals and your schedule.
This program stands out for three reasons: flexibility, customization and strong outcomes. You will get:
- A personalized curriculum you shape with a faculty academic advisor
- Graduate-level coursework across UB, including courses connected to medicine, dentistry and public health
- A flexible timeline that can move fast or slow depending on your goals and schedule
- A mentored project that builds research, analysis and communication skills
- A collaborative cohort with varied academic and career goals
Proven outcomes
Over the past 10 years, many Special Master’s Program students have earned admission to the advanced degree programs they set out to pursue, including medical and dental programs.
Degree type: Master of Arts
Field: Biological Sciences
Program length: Typically three semesters
Flexible completion: As little as nine months or extended part-time
Start term: Fall or spring
The Special Master’s Program combines graduate-level science coursework with a mentored project. You will work with a faculty academic advisor to build a plan of study that matches your goals, interests and timeline.
Many students adjust their course load across semesters. You might take fewer credits during MCAT or DAT preparation, during heavy work or research commitments. You might take more credits when you have more time.
Through coursework and the required mentored project, you will build advanced scientific knowledge and strong communication skills that support professional programs, research pathways and science-driven careers.
By the end of the program, you will be able to:
- Read critically and comprehend original research papers in biology
- Communicate scientific information clearly in oral presentations
- Communicate scientific information clearly in writing
- Demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge in your declared area of interest
These outcomes are reinforced through graduate-level coursework, faculty-guided projects and opportunities to present and discuss your work.
SMP vs MS in Biological Sciences
Special Master’s Program: A flexible, customizable path for students preparing for professional school, exploring career options or strengthening their academic profile. Designed to open doors at UB and beyond, including opportunities across New York State.
MS in Biological Sciences: A structured, research-intensive program with lab rotations for students seeking deep research training or planning for a future PhD.
You will tailor your coursework around your interests while building strong scientific foundations. The program draws from more than 100 approved graduate-level courses across UB, allowing you to shape your studies around your goals instead of following one fixed path.
Program tracks
These focus areas reflect common pathways students choose. They are not fixed tracks, and your academic advisor will help you customize your plan to fit your goals.
Course examples:
- Human Physiology I
- Medical Microbiology
- Biochemical Principles
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology
- Nutrition and Health
Recent project examples:
- “Exclusively Drinking Sucrose or Saline Early in Life Alters Adult Drinking Behavior by Laboratory Rats An Extended Analysis of Changes in Neural Responses.” Research Advisor Dr. Derek Daniels, Biological Sciences
- “Exploring Cutting-Edge Segmentation Approaches A Comparative Study Between Bi-parametric Atlas-Based Segmentation and SynthSeg for Precision in Medical Image Segmentation.” Research Advisor Dr. Ferdinand Schweser, Neurology
Course examples:
- Saliva and the Oral Microbiome
- Craniofacial Development, Tissue Engineering and Oral Diseases
- Dynamics of Bone
- Physiology of Pain
- Dental Anthropology
Recent project example:
- “A Comparison of Mineralized and Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft on Osteoblast Cell Viability in vitro with Nano-Calcium Sulfate.” Research Advisor Dr. Rosemary Dziak, Oral Biology
Course examples:
- Experimental Design
- Cancer Immunology
- Advanced Cell and Developmental Biology
- Human Evolutionary Genomics
- Scientific Writing
Recent project examples:
- “Adenosine Regulation of T cell Suppression in Epithelial Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment.” Research Advisor Dr. Brahm Segal, Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- "Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Within Western New York Vernal Pool Fingernail Clams (Sphaeriidae spp.).” Research Advisor Dr. Scott Santos, Biological Sciences
Course examples:
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Biological Basis for Public Health
- Health Policy in the United States
- Health Disparities
Recent project example:
- “Protective effects of dietary pulse fiber on short-chain fatty acids in obese pregnancies.” Research Advisor Dr. Todd Rideout, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Course examples:
- Integrative Neuroscience
- Signaling in Disease
- Social Inequalities and Health
- Ethics for the Health Professions
- Business of Healthcare
Projects may be completed in Biological Sciences or another UB department, depending on mentor match and student interests.
Support is built into the program from the start. You work closely with faculty mentors, learn alongside a small cohort of peers and complete a mentored project that connects your coursework to your goals.
Each student is paired with a faculty academic advisor who helps plan coursework, navigate program options and align academic decisions with what comes next. You also work with a faculty mentor who provides guidance on your project and supports your growth as a scientist.
The mentored project may be experimental, data driven or literature based. It concludes with a seminar presentation and a written summary, helping you apply what you learn and communicate scientific work with confidence.
Beyond coursework and research, the program fosters a collaborative environment through seminars, professional development workshops and ongoing connections with peers and alumni.
Faculty mentors
Students work closely with faculty who are researchers and mentors. They include:
MCAT and DAT support
If you are preparing for the MCAT, the program offers support designed for serious, structured study:
- A UWorld subscription in the months before you plan to test
- Study groups with peers at similar preparation levels
- A dedicated space to study and prep together
- Additional options such as paid tutors and practice tests
Students frequently ask how this program supports their goals after graduation. Outcomes are one of the Special Master’s Program’s strongest differentiators.
Over the last 10 years:
- 85% of pre-medical and health professions students earned admission to their desired advanced degree programs
- 95% of pre-dental and oral health students earned admission to their desired advanced degree programs
Graduates have matriculated into MD, DO and DDS programs, including at UB. Alumni also pursue PA programs, PhD programs, veterinary medicine, research roles, teaching and other science-focused careers.
The program is designed to strengthen academic preparation, clarify direction and support competitive applications.
The program is designed to be completed in three semesters. You can complete it in as little as nine months or take longer by enrolling part time.
No. Full-time enrollment is not required. Many students adjust their course load to balance work, shadowing or exam preparation.
Many graduates earn admission to advanced degree programs, while others pursue research, teaching and science-focused careers. Outcomes vary by goal and pathway.
All students complete a mentored project that may be experimental, data-driven or literature-based. Projects can be completed in Biological Sciences or another UB department and are tailored to student goals.
Yes. With guidance from your academic advisor, you may take approved graduate-level courses across UB including medicine, dentistry and public health.
No. While many students prepare for health professions, the program also supports students exploring research careers, teaching, PhD pathways or interdisciplinary fields.
The MA Special Master’s Program stands out for its flexible timeline, customizable curriculum and strong outcomes. Students shape their experience rather than following a single fixed track.
If you are looking for a graduate program that adapts to your goals while building academic depth and professional skills, the Biological Sciences MA Special Master’s Program at UB offers a supportive and flexible path forward.
Current UB students
Already a student in the Department of Biological Sciences? Find program handbooks, Graduate School forms and other tools to help you stay on track.
If you have questions about our programs, please contact:
