Biology, M.S.

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(30 UNITS)

The M.S. in Biology is a thesis-based degree for which the student completes original, independent research in one of the following areas: Cell and Developmental Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, or Biology Pedagogy Research.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, acceptance into this program is contingent upon the following: (1) a B.A. or B.S. in Biological Science or related area at an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA in biology courses and 2.5 GPA in the related courses in mathematics, chemistry and physics; (2) submitting scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test, Medical College Admission Test or Dental Admission Test; (3) completing the departmental application; (4) submitting two letters of recommendation; and (5) acceptance by a thesis adviser.

Students with deficiencies may be considered for conditional acceptance into the program. For conditionally accepted students, the specific conditions and a deadline for their completion are determined at the time of admission; continuation in the M.S. program is dependent upon completion of the admission conditions by the specified deadline.

Application Deadlines

Departmental applications for fall admissions are usually due April 1. Check the Department of Biological Science website at biology.fullerton.edu for annual deadlines and additional information. A completed departmental application and all required documents must be received by the published deadlines.

Classified Standing

Students should achieve classified graduate standing as soon as they are eligible, because no more than nine units of graduate work taken before classification can be included on the study plan (see below) for the degree. A student who meets the admission requirements may apply for classified standing, which requires the development of a study plan approved by the thesis adviser, thesis committee, department M.S. graduate program adviser and associate vice president for Graduate Studies and Research. Students admitted with conditional acceptance must meet conditions (see above) before being considered for classified standing.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy is attained by requesting a graduation check and receiving subsequent approval of the department M.S. graduate program adviser and associate vice president for Graduate Studies and Research.

Study Plan

Students must meet the Graduate Level Writing Requirement, which is described in this catalog under “Graduate Regulations.” Biology M.S. candidates will meet this requirement by passing BIOL 500A , BIOL 500B . At least one-half of the study plan’s total units must be at the 500 level.

All study plans must include:

Thesis

A thesis acceptable to the adviser and committee, covering a research problem, as well as a thesis defense and a public presentation on the thesis research, are required to complete the degree program. Supervising the work of graduate students requires the personal attention of advisers. To insure that advisers are available for new graduate students, a graduate student is expected to complete the requirements for graduation within three years after classification.

For more detailed information or advisement, students should contact the Department of Biological Science or the department M.S. graduate program adviser at biogradadv@fullerton.edu.