Welcome to the Department of Biology
In the Department of Biology, you will find exciting courses, cutting-edge research opportunities, and supportive mentoring. Come explore the fascinating world of living things at all levels, from molecules and cells to organisms and whole ecosystems. Our programs prepare you for careers in research, medicine, environmental management, biotechnology, teaching, public health, and many other areas.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
- Biology MS
- Biology PhD
- Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology Track
- Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Track
- Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology PhD
- Biotechnology & Biomedical Science MS
- Biotechnology Professional Science MS
- Computational Sciences PhD
- Integrative Biosciences PhD
- Biotechnology Certificate
About Our Department
Biology is the natural sciences discipline concerned with the study of living organisms; their genetic, cellular, and physiological functions; their development; their evolution; and their interaction with each other and the environment. UMass Boston’s Department of Biology is a vibrant, collaborative research and teaching community. The faculty of the department have diverse interests and experiences that span a wide range of disciplines within the biological sciences, conduct exciting research, and are committed teachers. The undergraduate curricula of the Biology and Biochemistry majors emphasize hands-on practical and laboratory experience, foster critical thinking, and offer numerous opportunities for engagement in research in the life sciences. The department also sponsors multiple research-driven Ph.D. and Masters-level graduate programs, including with other departments on campus.
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Faculty Positions Open in the Biology Department
- Assistant Professor - Microbial Ecology
- Assistant Professor - Genetics
- Assistant Professor - Biology Education
Biology Department in the News
- Biology Team to Survey Reptiles and Amphibians in National Parks with $190K NPS Cooperative Agreement
- Professor Jens Rister Awarded $1.7 Million from the National Eye Institute of the NIH
- Olukemisola “Kemi” Abioye has been recognized as the 2025 Ryan Award winner after achieving the highest cumulative GPA over four semesters
- Basim Naeem Named 2025 JFK Award Winner and Undergraduate Commencement Speaker
- Biology Major Wins Prestigious Goldwater Prize: Kurt Jancsy
- Biology Professor Changmeng Cai Awarded $2.1 Million NCI Grant for Research on Prostate Cancer Therapy Resistance
- Professor Albert Kao answers "How does one make sense of a complicated system?"
- UMass Boston Biology Professor Liam Revell Named AAAS Honorary Fellow
- NSF Awards $1M Grant to Enhance Gender, Racial Equity among STEM Faculty
- New Study by UMass Boston Professor Nichola Hill Looks at How Bird Flu Spreads
- Biology Major Earns Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship: Maddison Lessard
- Biology Major Alexis Perry Named “29 Who Shine” Award Winner
- Professor Liam Revell Develops Interactive Website Analyzing COVID-19 Data
- Professor Douglas Woodhams, Postdoc & Graduate Students Published in Genome Biology
Resources
Advising
Advising helps you to find the right program and courses, stay on track to graduate, and get ready for a successful career. The Office of Advising Excellence coordinates academic advising across UMass Boston.
Contact
Alexa MacPherson
Office: W-3-21
Telephone: 617.287.6600
Fax: 617.287.6650