MS Biological Sciences Timeline

Year 1

  • (Usually first semester) Assemble MS Advisory committee consisting of the major advisor and, at least, two additional members. The additional members must have appropriate academic credentials or expertise (usually a Ph.D.).  The role of the committee is to help guide the research effort to approve the final thesis or project generated from that research.
  • (Usually first semester) Work with Major advisor to create a 2 yr academic plan for completion of required coursework. Students and faculty are encouraged to use the MS Candidacy Worksheet to help plan the appropriate coursework.
  • Each semester, submit a Graduate Advising Worksheet [pdf] to the Department Graduate Coordinator to indicate the courses you will be taking.
    • You should enroll in BIOL 201 and BIOL 298 each semester
    • see 2 yr plans under degree descriptions
  • (Usually first semester) Work with Major advisor and MS Advisory committee to develop a research plan.
  • (Usually first semester) Complete BIOL 202 with a grade of “B” or better within the first year. This course meets the Competency in Written English requirements specified by the university.
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • If you have been accepted conditionally, complete the conditional requirements specified on the Faculty Acceptance form and file the Change of Classification form [pdf] to change your status to Classified.

Year 2

  • File for Candidacy in the first semester (by Oct 1)
  • In order to file, you must have successfully completed 9 units with a GPA of 3.0, have completed BIOL 202 with a grade of ‘B” or better and are a Classified student.
  • Each semester, submit a Graduate Advising Worksheet to the Department Graduate Coordinator to indicate the courses you will be taking.
    • You should enroll in BIOL 201 and BIOL 298 each semester.
    • In the year that you are completing your coursework, you must enroll in BIOL 299.
  • Complete coursework with a GPA of 3.0.
  • Conduct and complete your research and develop and complete your thesis (see Thesis Guidelines). Note many students are not able to complete their research by the second semester of the second year; see below for instructions.
    • If you have completed your research, you must have your thesis approved by your MS Advisory [pdf] committee and you must submit your thesis in its final form by April 1. See Thesis Forms and Documents on the GAPE website for submission details.
    • If you have completed your research, you must have completed a thesis defense seminar by the end of the semester in which you wish to graduate. After completion of the seminar, the Major advisor will notify the department Graduate Coordinator who will submit a Completion of Culminating Experience form to GAPE.
  • File for Graduation with the Application for Award of Master’s Degree [pdf] (by Feb 1). Please send a copy to the Department Graduate Coordinator.

If you have NOT completed your thesis in the same semester in which you have completed your coursework