Binghamton University Masters Degrees in Biological Sciences

With programs leading to a research Master of Science (MS) and a non-thesis Master of Arts (MA), graduate studies in the Department of Biological Sciences provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue successful careers in the life sciences. Offering a competitive breadth of knowledge while remaining sensitive to the needs of individual students, the department delivers a diverse academic experience that includes extensive faculty-student interactions and freedom to undertake interdisciplinary studies. Students will find themselves surrounded by a variety of opportunities that enrich their studies such as weekly seminars, research symposia and individual and team research options.

The graduate program in biological sciences has two tracks: biochemical, cell and molecular biology (BCMB) or ecology, evolution and behavior (EEB). These tracks can be combined or pursued concurrently with other academic interests. Students are encouraged to explore faculty profile and research areas before applying and to read the department FAQ for more information about the program:

Students studying the BCMB track are trained in fundamental research approaches and techniques and are exposed to a diverse range of research topics. Research programs are problem-oriented, rather than driven by a single, specialized laboratory technology. Students may work in two or three laboratories simultaneously to pursue a research question. Many students conduct research on-site at biotechnology companies across the nation on a contract basis.

Students studying EEB receive a well-rounded and vibrant academic experience without the dangers of overspecialization. Students often begin conducting research during their first year of study. In addition to opportunities for cross-departmental research, students can also take advantage of the University’s unique interdisciplinary Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program and take courses on evolutionary studies or even earn a certificate in conjunction with their master’s or doctoral degree.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores
◾Biological sciences minimum TOEFL score: 100 on the iBT
◾Biological sciences minimum IELTS score: 7.0
◾Biological sciences minimum PTE Academic score: 68

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The Physics Department at Binghamton University offers a two-year master's (MS) degree and a PhD in physics. The MS program is for students seeking careers in applied physics or in research and development in industrial laboratories. It is also intended for technical personnel in industry who wish to attain a higher level of understanding of the physical principles on which modern technology is based.

Upon completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to lead efforts in acedeme and industry in the areas of condensed matter physics, applied physics and materials science. Graduates receive their degree having made significant contributions to advance knowledge in their particular area of research. Courses and seminars provide necessary background in the basic principles, methods and theories of physics.

As as young and vibrant program, faculty are currently engaged in various collaborative research projects, such as Physics of Metal Oxides through Piper Laboratory, Levy Studies of DNA, and Nanoelectronic Physics and Materials Science for Energy Generation and Information Processing. Research activities emphasize energy sciences, biophysics, and information sciences, with the intent to leverage significant research infrastructure investment under the Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging Center at Binghamton University.

The Physics Department also has a major focus on materials physics and condensed matter physics with strong interactions with Materials Engineering and industry. The Nanofabrication Laboratory at Binghamton University provides state-of-the-art resources pivotal to conducting cutting-edge nano-scale research.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university you have attended. Undergraduate degree in physics or related field desirable for admission.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE general test scores
- Official GRE subject test in physics scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores
----Physics applicant minimum TOEFL scores:
*80 on the Internet-based exam
*550 on the paper exam
----Physics applicant minimum IELTS score:
*6.5, with no band below 5.0
----Physics applicant minimum PTE Academic score:
*53

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The Biomedical Engineering (BME) program seeks to prepare graduate engineers to face 21st-century challenges by advancing student understanding of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human injury, disease and the health complications associated with aging as they work to improve human health through advances in healthcare and medicine.

The master's degree program prepares students for careers in the biotechnology industry and medical/healthcare centers or providers of medical/healthcare technology.

Doctoral students will also develop a detailed understanding of the operation of the health care industry, preparing them for academic or industry careers related to medical technology, as well as the background necessary to pursue an entrepreneurial role in medical/healthcare technology. To assist students in pursuing new ventures, incubator space and technology transfer mechanisms are available.

In 2014, the first two doctoral graduates of this program went on to postdoctoral work at Pennsylvania State University, and a permanent position at American Systems in Washington D.C.

Educational Objectives

The goal of biomedical engineers is to improve human health through advances in healthcare and medicine. This includes advancing our understanding of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human injury, disease and the health complications associated with physiologic and sociologic factors such as aging, environment and diet. In this regard, we are living in an exciting time. In the last two decades or so we have witnessed, among numerous achievements, the decoding of the entire human genome, the birth of proteomic methods, the maturation of computerized tomography, dramatic advances in imaging and sensing technologies, the culture of stem cells, and advances in biomaterials that may eventually enable us to engineer tissues and even organs. Altogether, these achievements have dramatically augmented our potential for improving health care. However, addressing how to use these basic science research advances for improved health care represents a major challenge for biomedical engineers of the coming generation.
Chronic illness is now a dominant issue in health care, consuming vast sums of healthcare dollars, personnel and facilities usage. This situation will only be exacerbated over the coming decades with the aging of the population. As a result, improvements in our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat chronic illness, and to do so at reasonable cost, has become a focus of the national healthcare agenda. Accordingly, the goal of the biomedical engineering program at Binghamton University is to prepare graduate engineers to face not only these new 21st century challenges, but also to advance new technologies for better healthcare.

MS and PhD applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement of no longer than one page describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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