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Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis

Earn your M.S. in Biological Sciences in as little as one year with a flexible, no-GRE curriculum. The non-thesis option lets you deepen your expertise in biology while preparing for professional school, teaching, career advancement or further graduate study.

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Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis

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Degree Level
Master of Science
Delivery
In Person / Fully Online
Time to Degree
2 Semesters
Credit Hours
32 Total, 32 in Major
Careers
Managers, Coordinators, Specialists
Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis students at EIU

Why Study Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis at EIU?

  • Earn your degree in as little as one year. Complete the non-thesis master’s on an accelerated timeline.
  • Apply without the GRE. Admission to the program does not require GRE scores.
  • Build a flexible study plan. Choose advanced coursework that supports your academic, professional or teaching goals.
  • Explore biology in depth. Study areas ranging from ecology and wildlife biology to genetics, microbiology, physiology and neuroscience.
  • Strengthen your next step. Use the degree to prepare for professional school, career advancement, teaching or additional graduate study.
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Study with faculty whose expertise spans field, organismal, cellular and molecular biology.
  • EIU resources include biotechnology and GIS facilities, microscopy, greenhouse space and specialized laboratory equipment.
  • Non-thesis students may pursue advanced study in selected areas of biological sciences with faculty guidance.
  • Apply advanced concepts through laboratory, field and analytical work across the curriculum.
  • Nearby parks, preserves, streams, rivers, reservoirs and watersheds provide opportunities for biological field study.
Hands-On Experience, Biological Sciences: Non-Thesis students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The non-thesis M.S. in Biological Sciences gives you the flexibility to build advanced knowledge in the areas of biology most relevant to your goals. It is a fit if you want graduate-level preparation but prefer to shape your coursework around your next step rather than complete a thesis.

View in Catalog
$167,220
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Natural Sciences Managers
  • Clinical Research Coordinators
  • Water Resource Specialists
  • Bioinformatics Scientists
  • Molecular & Cellular Biologists
  • Geneticists
  • Biologists
  • Agricultural Technicians

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook Average OutlookO*NET doesn't currently flag any of the careers linked to this program as Bright Outlook. That doesn't mean jobs aren't out there. It just means these careers aren't expected to grow quickly, don't have 75,000 or more projected openings, and aren't new and emerging.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit InvestigativeInvestigative interest typeYou like digging into how things work. This type of work involves researching and analyzing natural phenomena, living things, health problems or human behavior.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$14,688 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 15% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
15% of lifetime limit

$14,688 total, just 15% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Britto Nathan
Assistant Chair and Professor, Coordinator of Graduate Programs
bpnathan@eiu.edu
2154 Life Science
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or email bpnathan@eiu.edu directly
Elliott Zieman
Chair and Associate Professor
eazieman@eiu.edu
2070 Life Science
217-581-1976
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or email eazieman@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

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