Master of Science Curriculum (Semesters)

The MS degree program in Biological Sciences requires 30 semester units of coursework. At least half of those units (15) must be at the graduate level (600). Those 15 units must include five university thesis units (691), two to four graduate seminar units (610, 630, 650 and/or 670) and six units of research specialization (including two of the following: BIOL 616 - Cell and Molecular Biology I, BIOL 618 - Cell and Molecular Biology II, BIOL 631 - Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry, BIOL 652 - Advances in Ecology and Evolution and/or BIOL 671 - Advanced Topics in Physiology - see below). Subject to approval by your thesis advisor, the remaining units (up to 15 total) can include 300 and 400 level courses approved for the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

To remain in the MS in Biological Science degree program students must maintain a B average and all units must be earned within five calendar years (a waiver is possible up to a seventh year). Moreover you must be continuously enrolled until you complete your curriculum. Students that do not enroll in classes at Cal State East Bay for two consecutive semesters (not including summer or winter sessions), and do not enroll in the third consecutive semester, will be discontinued and will be required to submit a new application to the University for readmission. That said, once you have completed the curriculum requirements outlined above (30 units) you no longer need to enroll in courses prior to graduation (Although see Graduate Study Completion below).

Lab courses required for BCP students can fill to capacity. If you want to enroll in BIOL 415, 424, 425, 622 and 620, please email the Natural Sciences hub (naturalsci@csueastbay.edu) and CC: the BCP coordinator. Use your horizon email account and provide your net ID along with the list of courses and preferred section times. Use MyCSUEB to enroll in all other courses including BIOL 601A and 601B.
To see the class schedule for any upcoming semester and department, click here.

Biological Science Core Requirements

The following 2 units are required during the first year of the M.S. program.
  • BIOL 601A - Foundations of Scientific Research Units: 1
  • BIOL 601B - Foundations of Scientific Communication Units: 1

Research Specialization

Choose two (2) courses from the following list (requires approval of the Thesis Advisor and Thesis Committee):
  • BIOL 616 - Cell and Molecular Biology I Units: 3
  • BIOL 618 - Cell and Molecular Biology II Units: 3
  • BIOL 631 - Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry Units: 3
  • BIOL 652 - Advances in Ecology and Evolution Units: 3
  • BIOL 671 - Advanced Topics in Physiology Units: 3

Communication the Research Specialization

Choose one (1) course for 2 units from the following list: 
  • BIOL 610 - Seminar in Cell & Molecular Biology Units: 2
  • BIOL 630 - Seminar in Microbiology Units: 2
  • BIOL 650 - Seminar in Ecology and Evolution Units: 2
  • BIOL 670 - Seminar in Physiology Units: 2

Elective Courses

A minimum of 15 units are required from the following list as approved by the Thesis Advisor and Thesis Committee:
  • BIOL 602 - Preparation for Undergraduate Instruction in Biology Units: 3
  • BIOL 620 - Functional Genomics Units: 3 
  • BIOL 622 - Advanced Molecular Techniques Units: 3 *
  • BIOL 653 - Community and Ecosystem Biology Units: 4
  • BIOL 655 - Phylogenetic Methods Units: 3
  • BIOL 657 - Environmental Experimental Analysis Units: 4
  • BIOL 681 - Research Units: 1-2
  • BIOL 690 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
Substitutions (including any upper division undergraduate course inside and outside the department) may be counted as an elective but is subject to approval by your thesis advisor. BIOL 690 and BIOL 681 can be repeated for credit (4 units max). 

Capstone Requirement

  • BIOL 691 - University Thesis Units: 5
WARNING: Thesis units expire after five years. 


Graduate Study Completion 

Once you have completed all the semester units required for your master's degree (30 total), you are not required to enroll in any more classes. During this time, students typically finish up their research, write and defend their thesis. That said, if you want continued access to University facilities (including research labs and libraries) or you want to TA, you must register for BIOL 890 Graduate Study Completion through the Division of Continuing and International Education. This is a 1-unit course with a fee of $134 (subject to change). Discuss this option with your thesis advisor or graduate coordinator to see if it is right for you. 

To enroll, complete a BIOL 890 "Graduate Study Completion Form" then submit it to the Biology office to be signed by the graduate coordinator.

 


To review the old quarter system curriculum requirements follow this link. 
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