The MCD department also accepts applications from students interested in obtaining a Master's degree. This is typically a two-year program carried out under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Acceptance into the M.S. program requires a faculty sponsor from MCD Biology before submitting an application, and students are expected to include a letter from their faculty sponsor detailing such support in their application. This letter does not need to promise financial support, but it should indicate that the faculty member approves of the applicant to join their lab as a Master's student.

This letter of acceptance into a lab is required to be considered for admission to the M.S. program, however it does not necessarily guarantee admission.

Students interested in a Master's degree should directly contact faculty members with whom they would like to work and obtain a letter of sponsorship prior to applying in order to secure acceptance into a lab.

Students apply to the master’s degree program through the same portal as for the Ph.D. degree program. While the M.S. is research intensive, master’s students do not do research rotations; they must identify a research adviser prior to the training period. Students are required to participate in laboratory research meetings and departmental seminar series every quarter.