This degree is available to qualified students preparing for professional careers research, education, industry, consulting, government, and health professions. Our Biology M.S. degrees are appropriate choices for students seeking to increase their competitiveness for further studies at the doctoral level and professional schools. In addition, a master’s degree in biology, combined with appropriate courses in education, can be utilized for a teaching career. This degree requires a thesis based on original scientific research; a list of research areas with the names of faculty specializing in these areas can be obtained from the department’s website.
In addition to the CSULB prerequisites for entrance into a graduate program stated previously in this catalog under Graduate Degree Information, the Department of Biological Sciences requires the following:
Prospective graduate students for the M.S. in Biology, including CSULB graduates, must formally apply for admission to CSULB through Cal State Apply as described previously in this catalog. They must also apply directly to the Department of Biological Sciences. All applicants must submit the following documents directly to the Department no later than the deadline stated on the department’s website to receive consideration for admission for the fall semester:
These materials must be submitted to the Biology Graduate Services Coordinator by email (preferred) or by mail to the Graduate Office, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-9502.
The Graduate Studies Committee will review all completed applications received by the deadline. Admission into the M.S. Program in Biology is competitive. The applicant’s college GPA, one-page personal statement, letters of recommendation, CV, mentorship plan (if applicable), and a faculty member who agrees to serve as the thesis advisor will be considered in the decision to accept or decline the application. Applicants who are admitted into the program will enter as a Classified Graduate Student, as described below.
After admission to the Department as a Classified Graduate Student, the student, in consultation with the faculty thesis advisor, must prepare a thesis proposal and program of study, which includes all coursework to be taken. The thesis proposal must include a thorough review of relevant primary literature that demonstrates the context of the proposed research, it must clearly define the experiments proposed for the research to be undertaken, and should include preliminary data available. The student and the faculty thesis advisor will select at least two additional members to serve on the thesis committee. In most cases, the faculty thesis advisor will serve as chair of the thesis committee. However, if the faculty thesis advisor is not eligible, another member of the thesis committee will serve as thesis committee chair. The student will then have a formal meeting with the thesis committee, at which the student’s thesis proposal and program of study will be presented. At this meeting, the thesis committee will question and evaluate the materials presented by the student. At the completion of this meeting, the thesis committee will meet briefly, without the student present, to evaluate the thesis proposal. Approval is based on whether the student has demonstrated a solid understanding of their thesis project. The thesis proposal must be prepared, presented to, and approved by the thesis committee before the end of the second semester after admission to the Department. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the student being placed on academic probation and may result in dismissal from the M.S. in Biology program.
The Program of Study must include the completion of 30 semester units, to be fulfilled by the required courses listed below combined with elective courses.