Prospective MS Students

About our MS Degree Program

Students interested in careers that involve research or interested in pursuing a Ph.D. should consider the M.S. degree in Biological Science. Examples of M.S. study areas in the department are environmental biology, ecology, population biology, marine biology, physiology, neurobiology, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, mycology, and virology. 

Our Master of Science graduates are found throughout the work force: academic institutions, clinical labs, biotechnology, wildlife management, industry, botanical gardens, hospitals, private practice and education. Others use the MS as a stepping stone into professional degree programs including dentistry and medicine. 

The Master of Science (MS) degree program at California State University, East Bay involves both coursework and research and culminates with the writing of a supervised University thesis and passage of an oral exam. Students typically conduct their research under the supervision of one of our on campus faculty. It is possible, however, to conduct research at another University, Institute or Company provided that the off-campus site is willing to supervise the research and will allow the publication of a thesis.

For example, CSUEB has a partnership with Lawrence Berkeley Labs. More info here: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cG0QpwNvSrL8cxqjt7R6PNl0TS8LrC0u/view?usp=sharing. This opportunity is particularly well-suited for those applicants interested in Microbiology. Here is a list of faculty that participate in this program: https://sites.google.com/lbl.gov/berkeley-lab-csueb-intern-pilo/about-berkeley-lab/about-earth-environmental-sciences-participants/ecology-participants

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an M.S. in Biological Science from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad and sophisticated understanding that contributes to biological concepts and principles across all levels of biological organization, from ions to ecosystems.

  2. Demonstrate expertise in a specific area of biological science.

  3. Independently apply the scientific method to formulate testable biological hypotheses, analyze empirical data, and synthesize the results of the analysis.

  4. Clearly communicate the design and results of an observational or experimental analysis in a variety of formats, including the graduate thesis, scientific paper, scientific poster, and oral presentation.

  5. Gather and evaluate primary scientific literature and judge the value of the information presented in relation to particular biological questions.


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