Master of Science in Biology - Non-Thesis Option

The Department of Biology offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Biology degree. The Master of Science with a non-thesis option emphasizes course work and is intended for working professionals, those interested in bolstering applications for further professional studies like medical or dental school, high school teachers, as well as those interested in teaching at the community college level. A broad range of faculty research interests, easy access to diverse biological environments, and a range of research facilities permit the student to study a broad spectrum of biological topics.Faculty interests include aquatic ecosystemrestoration ecology, arachnology, behavioral ecology, chemical ecology, community ecology, conservation biology, entomology, environmental microbiology, field biology, host-pathogen interactionsmicrobial pathogenesis, molecular genetics, molecular systematics, physiologygenomics of aquatic microbes, plant anatomy, plant ecophysiology and plant pathology.

An earned bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences or a bachelor’s degree in a related science with a grade of a C or higher in course work equivalent to BIOL 3010, BIOL 3020, BIOL 3110, BIOL 3120, BIOL 4100, an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester units of course work, submission of three letters of recommendation. Formal decision by the Departmental Graduate Committee to accept the student into the graduate program. The decision will be based on a formal application procedure, which includes evaluation of GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and other materials that may be required by the Committee and/or offered by the student.