M.S. Degree Requirements
A Master’s degree in biology prepares students for graduate study in Ph.D. or M.D. programs, teaching, research, or careers in business or government. The Department of Integrative Biology offers a Master’s of Science (M.S.) program tailored to the needs and interests of the student, in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Students may enroll on a full or part-time basis. Normally, the degree is completed within two years full-time or five years part-time. The program does not have a foreign language requirement.
Degree Requirements
All course work taken within the Department of Integrative Biology and applied toward the degree must be at the 5000 level or above. With the graduate advisor’s and/ or graduate committee’s approval, a maximum of 6 semester hours of course work at the 4000 level taken outside the department may be applied toward the degree.
At least 18 semester hours must be taken from faculty in the Department of Integrative Biology at UCD, and no more than 9 credit hours may be transfered into the program.
You must maintain a B (3.0) average overall, as well as for those courses applied to the degree, or you will be placed on academic probation. No course with a grade below a C (2.0) can be counted toward graduate requirements.
Two types of degree plans are offered:
Plan I (with thesis) requires 30 semester hours, including required thesis hours and two semesters of BIOL 6655 (1 semester hour each).
Plan II (without thesis) requires 32 semester hours, including two semesters of BIOL 6655 (1 semester hour each).
There is no core of required courses. A course plan is developed by the student and major professor and approved by the student’s graduate committee.
Plan I, THESIS OPTION
The thesis option is usually chosen by students whose career goals include a research emphasis -- continuing on to earn a Ph.D. or working in a research setting (e.g., government or university laboratory, pharmaceutical firm). Students choosing the thesis option take course work and carry out independent research under the supervision of a faculty member, culminating in a written thesis based on the research project.
Course Requirements -- 30 Semester Hours
- Two Semesters of Graduate Seminar (BIOL 6655-1), offered each Spring semester
- BIOL 6950, Master's Thesis (4-6 credit hours)
- Additional courses selected in consultation with student's graduate advisor (22-24 credit hours)
Thesis Research and Comprehensive Exam
During the first year, students generally concentrate on course work. The second year is primarily devoted to research. Written and oral comprehensive examinations by the committee covering general biology and the student’s field of specialization, as well as an oral defense of the thesis complete the thesis program.
Because thesis students must have a faculty sponsor, applicants wishing to undertake a thesis must consult with the appropriate faculty member(s) and secure a prospective faculty sponsor as a part of the application process. The name of the faculty who has agreed to serve as a research sponsor should be noted on the Biology supplemental application form.
For details on writing, submitting and defending a thesis, see Thesis Option.
Plan II, NON-THESIS OPTION
The non-thesis option is usually chosen by those wishing to advance their knowledge of Biology but who may not require hands on research experience to achieve their long range career goal.
Course Requirements -- 32 Semester Hours
- Two Semesters of Graduate Seminar (BIOL 6655-1), offered each Spring semester
- Additional courses selected in consultation with student's graduate advisor (30 credit hours)
Comprehensive Exam (required)
A written and oral comprehensive examination by a committee of three faculty members covering general biology and the student’s field of specialization completes the non-thesis program.
Research (optional)
Although not required for the non-thesis option, independent research is encouraged by the faculty.
PROGRAMS INCLUDING NON-BIOLOGY EMPHASIS
In special cases, with your graduate advisor’s approval, you may tailor a course of study that combines a biology emphasis with other relevant areas, such as chemistry or environmental science. In such cases, you must take most of the required credit hours in courses with a strong biology emphasis. A few, usually no more than two courses, may be outside biology but clearly relevant to your goals. A tailored degree of this type still requires the knowledge of general biology tested by the comprehensive exams.
Biology Supplemental Application
