The Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree.
Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate in biological sciences from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Programs.

4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination with a minimum combined score of 1500 on the Aptitude Test.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. If based on undergraduate grade point average:
(a) 2.75 cumulative grade point average or
(b) 3.00 in the last 60 units or
(c) 2.35 cumulative grade point average if a combined score of 2500 on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test and Advanced Test in Biology is exceeded.

2. If admission is based on postbaccalaureate performance, a student may be eligible for admission to the graduate program if he/she has an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5 and completes 15 units of upper-division or graduate course work in biological sciences or a closely related science with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive qualifying examination in biological aciences following completion of BIOL 300, Research in the Biological Sciences.

2. Classified graduate standing and completion at the university of at least 9 units of the proposed program.

3. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

4. Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee.

Requirements for the MS in Biological Sciences:

Completion of all requirements as established by the departmental graduate committee, the Graduate Advisory Committee, and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 200/300-level courses as follows:
(a) At least 18 units in the discipline of biological sciences, including at least one course of 3 or more units outside the sub-discipline (i.e., botany, zoology, microbiology).
(b) BIOL 300, Research in the Biological Sciences, to be completed during the first fall semester.
(c) At least one unit of graduate seminar (BIOL 305A or BIOL 305B), completed during the first year.
(d) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 300-level courses.
(e) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).
(f) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
(g) Not more than 2 units of Independent Study (398) and 6 units of Master’s Thesis (399).

2. Completion and final approval of an independent research project resulting in an acceptable thesis as specified by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee.

3. Presentation of a seminar based on the student’s master’s thesis research. This seminar will usually be given during the semester in which the student plans to complete the degree requirements.

4. Approval by the departmental graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Biological sciences majors will demonstrate their writing competence through satisfactory completion of a designated portion of the qualifying examination required as a prerequisite for admission to candidacy.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study-398 and Master’s Study-399) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (200-level courses), AB/No Credit (300-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 398, 399, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all course work on the approved master’s degree program as well as in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for biological sciences majors. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.