Degree Requirements and Curriculum

The department offers the Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences. Coursework and area of research are determined on an individual basis.

The unconditional graduate student with an advisory committee will develop a program in a selected discipline of biology based upon interests and preparation. The student's approved program will include required core courses, a selection of additional formal courses in a specialization, independent study, and an appropriate thesis. It will normally constitute 30 semester units of credit.

Course Units. The degree program must include a minimum of 30 semester units. At least 22 semester units must be in 5000-6000 level courses. No more than 8 units may be from 4000-level undergraduate courses.

Transfers of Credit. A maximum combined limit of 9 units may be transferred for graduate credit. This total includes acceptable graduate credit transferred from another graduate institution and credit for courses taken through Extended University. Any course transferred into the graduate program must be taken after the student receives their undergraduate degree. Thus, any course that appears on an undergraduate transcript can NOT be transferred.

The stipulated time limit of 7 years applies to all courses counting towards degree credit.

GPA and Grades. A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained in all of the following categories: (1) overall GPA; (2) upper division undergraduate courses and all graduate courses.; and (3) all courses listed on the Course Plan for the Master of Science in Biological Sciences. Courses with a grade lower than "C" will not count towards degree requirements.

Advancement to Candidacy. Advancement to Candidacy requires successful completion of the thesis proposal (BIO 6930).

Thesis Defense. A final oral examination / thesis defense must be successfully completed (BIO 6960).

Written Thesis. An acceptable written thesis must be completed and submitted in accordance with university requirements.

Enrollment. The candidate must be enrolled in the university during the semester of graduation. Students must be registered for units and pay fees in the semester in which they graduate (including summer).

Supervisory Courses. Graduate level supervisory courses (BIO 5000, 6910, 6920, 6930, 6940, 6960) are NOT offered during Summer Semester. Plan your schedule accordingly.

Annual Progress Report. All graduate students must file an Annual Progress Report, together with an updated Course Plan and updated Thesis Timeline, to the Graduate Coordinator each spring semester.

Important Information

Your thesis advisor / major professor will help you determine which courses to take. All courses will be approved by the thesis committee.

Course Plan / Thesis Timeline. When you take BIO 5800L (Professional Development Laboratory) your first fall semester, you will complete a Course Plan and Thesis Timeline. In consultation with your thesis advisor and thesis committee, you will determine the courses you must complete and a timeline for completing the requirements for graduation. Each spring semester, you will review and update your Course Plan / Thesis Timeline with your thesis advisor. You also will complete an Annual Progress Report and submit it together with your updated Course Plan / Thesis Timeline. All documents must be signed by you and your thesis advisor and submitted to the Graduate Coordinator.

Formation of Thesis Committee. By the end of your first year in the program, you must assemble your thesis committee with the advice and consent of your thesis advisor. A graduate thesis committee consists of a minimum of three members including the chair of the thesis committee (your thesis advisor). At least one of the other two committee members must be graduate faculty from the Biological Sciences Department.

Thesis Proposal (BIO 6930). The thesis proposal is a public oral presentation and discussion of your proposed research plan. Some thesis advisors also will require a written thesis proposal. BIO 6930 must be completed by the third semester (second semester recommended). BIO 6930 cannot be taken during the same semester as the Thesis Defense (BIO 6960). BIO 6930 is required for advancement to candidacy.

Thesis Research. Upon completion of the advancement to candidacy, you will continue your thesis research and complete your coursework. The 4 units of BIO 6940 provide academic credit for this work. You may register for more than 4 units of BIO 6940 as you do your research, but no more than 4 units may be counted toward your degree. Note that a maximum of 2 units of BIO 6940 can be taken during a given semester.

Written Thesis. The written thesis will include an introduction and objectives, methods, results, discussion, and literature cited. Your thesis advisor and members of your thesis committee will review your thesis, work with you to revise it, and approve it before you officially submit it to the university. The 2 units of BIO 6960 provide academic credit for this work.

Thesis Defense (BIO 6960). The thesis defense is a public oral presentation of your thesis research, followed by an examination by your thesis committee in a closed session. In this closed session, you should expect questions about your thesis, as well as questions on topics in basic biology that an individual with a Master of Science in biology would be expected to be familiar with.

Course Curriculum: 30 semester units

Required Core Courses: 11 units

BIO 5111 - Communicating Biology (2) – You must take this course your first semester.
BIO 5800L - Professional Development Laboratory (1) – You must take this course your first semester.
BIO 6800 - Seminar in Biology (3 total units) – All BIO 6800 courses must be on different topics.
BIO 6930 - Presentation of Thesis Research Proposal (1)
BIO 6940 - Thesis Research in the Biological Sciences (2 units per semester for 4 total units)

Required Culminating Experience Course: 2 units

BIO 6960 - Master’s Degree Thesis (2)

Elective Courses: Minimum of 17 units

A maximum of 8 units may be taken at the 4000 level.

A maximum of 3 units total may be satisfied with these supervisory courses: BIO 5000, BIO 6910, BIO 6920.

BIO 5000 - Training in Graduate Research (1-3)
BIO 6910 - Directed Study (1-3)
BIO 6920 - Independent Study (1-3)

1 unit of BIO 6800 may count towards electives. This is in addition to the 3 units that are required. All BIO 6800 courses taken for credit (required or elective) must be on different topics.

Listed below are possible elective courses. Courses from other departments are considered on an individual case basis. Find details on specific courses here.

BIO 4020 - Developmental Biology (3)
BIO 4030 - Human Genetics (3)
BIO 4040 - Advanced Genetics (3)
BIO 4060 - Regulatory Affairs and Safety Assessment (3)
BIO 4100 - Biophysics (3)
BIO 4140 - Biology of Species Invasions (2)
BIO 4140A - Biology of Species Invasions Activity (1)
BIO 4180 - Marine Ecology (3)
BIO 4180L - Marine Ecology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4240 - Neuromuscular Physiology (3)
BIO 4260 - Neuroscience (3)
BIO 4300 - Concepts of Molecular Biology (3)
BIO 4320 - Molecular Biology Techniques (3)
BIO 4320L - Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory (1)
BIO 4360 - Recombinant DNA and Protein Technology (3)
BIO 4360L - Recombinant DNA and Protein Technology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4380 - Bioinformatics (2)
BIO 4380L - Bioinformatics Laboratory (2)
BIO 4400 - Stem Cell Biology (3)
BIO 4400L - Stem Cell Biology Laboratory (2)
BIO 4430 - Tissue Culture and Its Application (2)
BIO 4430L - Tissue Culture and Its Application Laboratory (1)
BIO 4450 - Physiology I: Cells (3)
BIO 4450L - Physiology I: Cells Laboratory (1)
BIO 4460 - Physiology II: Systems (3)
BIO 4490 - Marine Botany (2)
BIO 4490L - Marine Botany Laboratory (2)
BIO 4500 - California Flora (1)
BIO 4500L - California Flora Laboratory (1)
BIO 4520 - Evolution of Plants (3)
BIO 4520L - Evolution of Plants Laboratory (1)
BIO 4530 - Plant Anatomy (2)
BIO 4530L - Plant Anatomy Laboratory (2)
BIO 4540 - Plant Genetics (3)
BIO 4560 - Plant Development and Differentiation (3)
BIO 4570 - Plants and the Environment (2)
BIO 4570L - Plants and the Environment Laboratory (2)
BIO 4585 - Ecotoxicology (3)
BIO 4635 - Medical Microbiology (3)
BIO 4635L - Medical Microbiology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4650L - Immunology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4660 - Microbial Physiology (3)
BIO 4660L - Microbial Physiology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4670 - General Virology (3)
BIO 4670L - General Virology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4680 - Microbial Ecology (3)
BIO 4680L - Microbial Ecology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4700 - Hematology (3)
BIO 4700L - Hematology Laboratory (1)
BIO 4800 - Entomology (2)
BIO 4800L - Entomology Laboratory (2)
BIO 4820 - Biology of Fishes (2)
BIO 4820L - Biology of Fishes Laboratory (2)
BIO 4830 - Ornithology (2)
BIO 4830L - Ornithology Laboratory (2)
BIO 4840 - Herpetology (2)
BIO 4840L - Herpetology Laboratory (2)
BIO 4850 - Mammalogy (3)
BIO 4850L - Mammalogy Laboratory (1)
BIO 4920L - Aquatic Sampling and Safety (1)
BIO 5100 - Statistics for Biologists using R (3)
BIO 5100L - Statistics for Biologists using R Laboratory (1)
BIO 5150L - Advanced R Programming and Statistics Topics (1-3)
BIO 5170 - Genetic Engineering - Past, Present, and Future (3)
BIO 5200 - Meta-Analysis in Biological Sciences (2)
BIO 5200L - Meta-Analysis in Biological Sciences Laboratory (1)
BIO 5280 - Community Ecology (3)
BIO 5350 - Advanced Cell Biology (3)
BIO 5360 - Host-Pathogen Interactions (3)
BIO 5370 - Advanced Virology (3)
BIO 5400 - Biogeography (3)
BIO 5500 - Biological Effects of Climate Change (3)
BIO 5550 - Field Biology (1-3)
BIO 5550A - Field Biology Activity (1-3)
BIO 5550L - Field Biology Laboratory (1-3)
BIO 5650 - Immunology (3)
BIO 5750 - Molecular Basis of Cancer (3)
BIO 5760 - Regulatory Affairs for the Biotechnology Industry (3)
BIO 5870 - Advanced Muscle Biology and Disease (3)
BIO 5990 - Special Topics for Graduate Students (1-3)
BIO 5990A - Special Topics for Graduate Students Activity (1-3)
BIO 5990L - Special Topics for Graduate Students Laboratory (1-3)