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:
- A B.A. or B.S. in Biological Science or related area at an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA in biology and releated courses and 2.5 GPA in the related supporting courses (mathematics/statistics, chemistry and physics.
- Completing the program application (available from the department).
- Submitting two letters of recommendation.
- Acceptance into the research laboratory of a tenured or tenure-track faculty thesis adviser.
Students who lack appropriate prerequisite coursework or training 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. Coursework required for completing conditions shall not exceed 7 units.
Advancement to Candidacy
A student who has been granted classified standing becomes a candidate for graduation after a graduation check request is submitted and the fee is paid for graduation by the student with an affirmative recommendation is made by the graduate program adviser. The graduation check must affirm completion of 30 units of committee-approved coursework with an overall minimum graduate grade point average of 3.0 (B) for all 400- and 500-level coursework attempted subsequent to admission to a degree program, including all transfer work and previous coursework apprved for use in the student’s graduate program, and an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all Study Plan coursework. Students must also successfully complete two thesis committee meetings prior to the culminating experience.
