Graduate Programs - Department of Biological Sciences- CSU, Chico
Graduate Programs
Program Description
Objectives and Degree Requirements
The biology department at CSU, Chico offers the Master of Science degree in biology and in botany. The objectives of the graduate program are to develop research and analytical skills so that students are equipped to conduct independent research and teach as professional biologists upon graduation. Faculty research interests offer graduate students a wide range of areas in which to do research.
Graduation Requirements
- Total of 30 units of 600, 500, and 400 level classes (at least 18 must be 600 level) 600 classes must include Biology 600, 605 (1 unit), 699 (1 to 6 units)
- One course outside the subdiscipline of interest (determined by the students' thesis committee)
- Maximum of 9 units transfer
- Completion and final approval of thesis research project
- Oral thesis defense
- Public seminar of thesis research
- Final approval by thesis committee
Deadlines:
Graduate students are personally responsible for coordinating their own programs, understanding requirements, and meeting deadlines.
1st semester
- Take Biology 600
- Choose major professor
- Take Biology Subject GRE (if not yet taken)
2nd semester
- Establish graduate advisory committee
- Take Program Prelim Exam in your area of specialization (offered in early May)
- Submit approved "Program Plan" of study to Graduate School
- Coursework and Thesis Research
Next-to-final semester
- File for graduation in the Graduate School Office final semester
- Submit near final draft of thesis to advisory committee
- Oral thesis defense - attended by advisory committee and other interested faculty
- Public Seminar - Presentation of thesis project
- Thesis editor approval of final thesis draft
- Final Progress Sheet - Represents final committee approval
All these must meet university deadlines for the semester