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A biology master's degree online offers advanced training in the biological sciences, covering topics like genetics, ecology, and biotechnology. Graduates may pursue occupations as diverse as biosecurity analysts, epidemiologists, research biologists, and secondary educators. 

At the master's level the field of biology covers a wide variety of subjects related to life science. You'll look at every aspect of life — from the smallest organisms to the greater environments they occupy. Coursework will include microbiology, ecology, molecular biology, and physiology. You'll conduct lab work and research techniques, engage in terminology memorization, and write extensive syllabuses on different biological subjects. 

Graduate programs require you to complete a bachelor's degree in biology before applying to school at the master's level. You'll find biology careers in medicine, sustainability, agriculture, conservation, and zoology. Earning a biology degree online is a respected path to a lucrative career in a number of fields, such as teaching, scientific research, and wildlife conservation. Some students use their degree as a stepping stone to a PhD, while others may jump straight into their career. Defining your career path before committing to any given concentration is important. 

Before deciding on an online school, ensure they have received the proper accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education or other regional accreditation organizations. OnlineU recommends the best online biology master's programs, each of which comes from accredited institutions. 

Master's degrees in biology can be earned in one to three years, depending on how much time you can allot to finishing 30 or more credits. Some students study on a full-time schedule, while others move at a slower pace because they work while attending school. Online biology master's programs may also require students to participate in an internship in order to gain real-world experience prior to graduation. If not required, you can still benefit from this practical experience by asking your school if they can set you up with an approved employer or research mentor.

Biology courses at the master's level build upon the foundational knowledge you gained in your bachelor's degree. This time around, there will be a heavier focus on research projects and lab work. You'll take core courses in pathology, ecology, and both molecular and cellular biological systems, among other subjects.

In the section below, we'll look more closely at specific courses that are commonly required in a master's program in biology:

• Cell and Molecular Biology: This course explores the various properties of cells, including their structures, compositions, and growth processes. It also covers DNA function as well as the molecular tools used in studying gene activity.
• Biochemistry: Biochemical principles are studied at length in this course, including the composition, structure, and properties of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Research may be conducted on enzyme reaction mechanisms and molecular genetics.
• Clinical Bacteriology: During this lab-focused class, you'll look at the techniques and tools used in handling pathogens and bacteria in a research setting, alongside diagnostic techniques for viruses.
• Community Ecology: This is the study of the biotic interactions between plants and animals. You'll learn about different community types and how they interact competitively and engage in predator-and-prey relationships.
• Evolution: The history, processes, and modern day effects of evolution will be looked at in this course. This includes adaptation, natural selection, gene flow, geographic variation, and fossil records.

Master's degrees are typically focused on a specialization within an overarching subject. Biology is considered a STEM subject, therefore most programs are designated under a Master of Science. However, they aren't often labeled as a Master of Science in Biology. Instead, degree titles at this level typically include a specific discipline, such as botany, zoology, bioethics, cell science, or wildlife and fisheries.

Since master's degrees require a completed bachelor's program in a related field, it's assumed that students already have a foundational understanding of these topics. For those rare degrees labeled as a master's in biology, you may find concentrations such as molecular and cell biology, environmental and organismal biology, or integrated physiology.

Degree titles at this level typically include a specific discipline, such as botany, zoology, bioethics, cell science, or wildlife and fisheries.

Your career path in biology depends mostly on your particular area of study. Graduates focused on environmental science, for example, may go on to work as an analyst for a government agency, while graduates who specialize in botany may find themselves hired as a naturalist for a nonprofit organization. It's important to have a career path in mind while taking courses at the master's level. This will help set you up for a promising job in the best industry for your expertise.

Let's look at some common career pathways for biology graduate students:

at the postsecondary level require a master's degree. They teach the fundamentals of biological science while administering tests, conducting field research with students, and supervising lab work. They also conduct their own original research in their given niche.

The job of is to study and understand Earth's ecosystem to protect it from harm. Alternatively, they're also responsible for protecting people from environmental hazards. They may conduct studies on natural resources, advise politicians and government agencies on environmental policy, or monitor air quality in areas with vulnerable populations. Although this role only requires a bachelor's degree to get started, the (BLS) says, "a master’s degree may be needed for advancement."

study animals in their natural habitats by looking at their physical characteristics and behaviors as well as how they interact with their environments. They often work in remote locations where they monitor animals in a live setting while compiling data in off-site labs.Although you can find an entry-level role with a bachelor's, the explains that zoologists and wildlife biologists usually need a master’s degree for investigative or scientific work.

study living organisms at the chemical and physical level. By performing scientific experiments with tools like x-rays and microscopes, they strive to understand biological processes at a deeper level. Although a PhD is required for the majority of independent research-and-development positions, the states that those with a master's degree are qualified for some entry-level positions in biochemistry and biophysics. A master's is also considered useful preparation for those most interested in working hands-on in a lab.

Earning a biology online degree is worth it for several reasons. Graduates will find it particularly beneficial if they have a specific career path in mind, such as zoologist, ecologist, or biology teacher. Online biology graduate programs prepare you for a career by allowing you to focus on one specific area of study within biology. The coursework can be challenging and involve a lot of memorization and technical understanding, however many students are able to find a fulfilling career upon graduation.

Consider the following pros and cons as you decide whether an online master's program in biology is the right fit:

Potential Benefits

• Noble work — Help prevent the spread of dangerous diseases as a microbiologist. In a recent , the World Health Organization listed Dengue, HIV, Ebola, and Influenza as being four of the top ten threats to global health.
• Plenty of employment opportunities with a gainful salary — The BLS reports that graduates with a degree in biology earn a median salary of . In total, 3,107,000 biology degree holders are employed in the United States.
• Work in exciting locations — Graduates may find themselves working in the remote Serengeti cataloging the migration patterns of wildebeest or at a high-tech research facility studying the effects of vaccinations on the latest communicable disease.

Potential Drawbacks

• Low job growth — Many jobs in biology aren't expected to grow much in the next decade. As noted in the career section above, microbiologists, wildlife biologists, and environmental scientists will see no more than an 8% growth from 2020 to 2030.
• Cost — Master's degrees in science are expensive. According to the Education Data Initiative, master's programs today cost between .
• Potential hazards — You may encounter hazards in your work environment. Depending on what career path you take, there are often hazards — ranging from the handling of vials that hold infectious diseases, parasites, or fungi, to being in close proximity to wild animals. Many roles require workers to wear protective clothing for health and safety reasons.

Studying biology can be an exciting venture that may lead to a lucrative career. It can be a difficult degree to achieve because it involves a lot of unfamiliar terminology, and the lab work requires extensive training, but it's not considered as tough as other STEM subjects, such as chemistry and physics. After graduation, you may wind up in a fulfilling role helping to save vulnerable ecosystems through extensive environmental research or inspiring young minds through your passion for life sciences.

If you've already earned a degree in biology, you will be well-equipped to pursue an online master's in biology or a similar discipline, such as an environmental science degree. You'll use your knowledge of biology, geography, and ecological systems to study this more nuanced subject that involves protecting the earth's resources. Similarly, a master's in bioinformatics takes a data-centric approach to biology by teaching students how to analyze, catalog, and store crucial genetic information.