2022-2023 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, M.S.


Program Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, zoology, or a related subject area approved by the Department of Biological Sciences.

Undergraduate GPA at least 2.50 overall or 3.00 for the last 60 semester units of credit.

Submitted results of the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Requirements for the Degree (30 units)

For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below, please see “Master’s Degree Requirements 

Approved Elective Courses


Complete upper division or graduate units in biological sciences or supporting courses approved by the graduate committee to bring total to 30 units.

  • A minimum of 18 units must be at the graduate level. 
  • BIOL 597 - Methods in Laboratory Instruction , can be used to fulfill 2 of the 30 units required for the degree, but cannot be used to fulfill any of the 18 graduate-level units.

Culminating Experience


While in residence, students must enroll in a minimum of 2 units of BIOL 690 and/or BIOL 699 per semester. *Combined total of not less than 4 nor more than 8 units of BIOL 690  and/or BIOL 699  (with a maximum of 6 units in BIOL 690 ) and a thesis or project approved by the graduate committee. An oral public presentation of the thesis or project work and a defense of the thesis or project before the graduate committee are required.

Biology, M.S. Program Learning Outcomes


Graduate students will:

  • apply a rich body of relevant biological sciences knowledge and information to solve complex scientific problems and challenges
  • present a proposal for biological research or project of their own design
  • conduct a unique and independent biological investigation or an independent project according to the rigors and conventions of the field
  • communicate the results of their scientific investigation or project in an oral format according to conventions of the discipline
  • communicate the results of their scientific investigation or project in writing according to the conventions of the discipline