MS in Biological Sciences
Total units required for MS: 30
Program Description
The Master of Science (MS) in Biological Sciences offers advanced training in the biological sciences through coursework and completion of an original research-based thesis. The MS degree prepares students for careers in education, government, and industry, as well as for doctoral programs or advancement in teaching, laboratory work, or fieldwork.
Faculty have specializations and expertise in a diverse range of areas within the biological sciences. Students work with a graduate faculty advisor to develop a coursework plan that meets their professional goals, design an original research investigation, and complete their thesis. A student's thesis research may be conducted on campus or at an off-campus location under the supervision of their faculty advisor.
The MS degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, original research, and completion of a thesis that involves biological field and/or laboratory research.
For additional information regarding the MS in Biological Sciences, visit the Biological Sciences website.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student to the MS in Biological Sciences requires:
- a baccalaureate degree;
- completion of a major in biological sciences or closely related field; or completion of 24 units of upper division biological sciences courses or courses in closely related fields, each of which must be passed with a "C-" or better;
- a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all biology courses and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in upper division biology courses; and
- a faculty member who has agreed to serve as the applicant's graduate advisor.*
It is important to note that meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the graduate program. Applicants who have deficiencies in admission requirements (e.g., GPA, coursework) that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status. Admission as a conditionally classified graduate student does not guarantee fully classified status. Fully classified graduate status is conferred when all deficiencies identified at the time of admission are removed. Any deficiencies in admissions requirements will be noted in a written communication to the applicant.
*For your application to be considered for admission, a faculty member in the Department must agree to serve as your graduate advisor. This requires that you correspond directly with a faculty member with whom you would like to study. We recommend that you do this well ahead of the application deadline to allow sufficient time for correspondence. In your application, you will be asked to enter the name(s) of the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to study and have been in correspondence.
Admission Procedures
To be considered for admission, all applicants must complete a Cal State Apply application by the posted application deadline date for the term applying and submit all requested application materials below.
A complete application for admission into the Graduate Program in Biological Sciences includes all of the following:
• an online Cal State Apply application for admission;
• one set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State;
• a Department supplemental application submitted with the Cal State Apply application;
• two letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's potential for successful graduate study; and
• a statement of purpose.
Applications are due by February 15. For additional university admissions information and application deadlines, visit the Office of Graduate Studies (https://www.csus.edu/graduate-studies/future-students/graduate-programs-deadlines.html) . Approximately eight to ten weeks after the application deadline, a decision regarding admission will be emailed to the applicant.
Note: The Department of Biological Sciences currently does not have a call for admission in the spring semester. However, under exceptional circumstances an applicant may petition the department to begin graduate study in the spring. A petition for spring admission requires a compelling reason and support by a faculty member in the department. Please contact your potential graduate advisor (i.e. a faculty member in your area of interest) to discuss this option.
No units from the following are acceptable toward the Master's degree:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 106 | Genetics: From Mendel to Molecules | 3 |
| BIO 194 | Biology-Related Work Experience | 6 - 12 |
| BIO 195 | Biological Internship | 1 - 2 |
| BIO 197A | Laboratory Teaching Assistant | 1 - 2 |
| BIO 197B | Laboratory Techniques | 1 - 2 |
| BIO 197C | Co-curricular Activities in Biology | 1 - 2 |
| BIO 198A | Honors Proseminar and Research | 2 |
| BIO 198B | Honors Research and Seminar | 2 |
| BIO 199A | Introductory Undergraduate Research | 1 - 2 |
| BIO 199B | Directed Readings | 1 - 2 |
Minimum Units and Grade Requirements for the Degree
Units required for the MS: 30
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
Advancement to Candidacy
The Advancement to Candidacy process serves to ensure that the student is qualified for and making good progress toward successfully completing their master's degree. Each classified graduate student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of study, and receive approval for their proposed thesis research. This procedure can begin as soon as the student has:
- removed any deficiencies in admission requirements (i.e., attained fully classified status);
- completed at least 12 units in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA, including at least one course at the 200-level;
- completed an acceptable draft of the proposed thesis; and
- taken a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first two semesters of coursework at California State University, Sacramento.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student must fill out and submit the form after planning a degree program in consultation with his/her graduate advisor and supervisory committee. After approval by the Department's Graduate Coordinator, the completed form is sent to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Note:
Supporting Fields: A maximum of 10 units from an approved supporting field (e.g., Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Studies, Geology, Physics) may be counted toward the MS in Biological Sciences; graduate advisor and Graduate Committee approval must be obtained before taking any of these course(s).
No more than 12 units of BIO 299 and BIO 500 may be applied toward the 30 unit requirement.
Each student who receives an MS in Biological Sciences must submit a Thesis based on original research in biology. A thesis can be based on either of the following sources of data:
- data generated by the student's original research, in which the student performs the fieldwork or laboratory experiments; and/or
- data obtained from sources other than the student's own fieldwork or laboratory experiments, provided that the data are analyzed in an original way.
The use of data must result in an original contribution to the problem being investigated.
All requirements for the Master's degree must be completed within seven (7) years starting from the time the first course is used to meet the Master’s degree requirements.
Program Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses (14 Units) | ||
| BIO 220A | Foundations in Scientific Inquiry | 3 |
| BIO 220B | Scientific Writing and Communication | 3 |
| Select any combination of the following: | 2 | |
| Seminar in Molecular and Cellular Biology | ||
| Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation | ||
| Seminar In Scientific Communication | ||
| BIO 299 | Problems in Biological Sciences 2 | 1 |
| Culminating Experience (6 Units) | ||
| BIO 500 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Elective Courses (10 Units) | ||
| Select electives in consultation with graduate advisor 3 | 10 | |
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
The 30 units must include a minimum of 18 units of 200-level seminar courses.
- 2
Students must complete 6 units of BIO 299 to fulfill degree requirements.
- 3
Approved electives in Biological Sciences or supporting fields. Electives must be selected in consultation with the graduate advisor and approved at the Advancement to Candidacy meeting. Up to six units of upper division (100-level) coursework taken as a graduate student in the program may be applied to the MS degree.