Overview

The graduate program in Biological Sciences leads to a Master of Science (MS) degree, and provides an opportunity for students to receive advanced training and to pursue independent investigations in particular fields of biology. It allows students to upgrade their qualifications for educational advancement to doctoral programs or for professional advancement in teaching, laboratory work, or fieldwork.

The MS degree requires completion of a thesis and has concentrations in Biological Conservation and in Molecular and Cellular Biology to provide advanced training and research experience in these fields. Students may also pursue general training in biology by electing the no concentration option.

Thesis Requirement and Faculty Advisor

All students are required to complete a thesis involving field and/or laboratory research. The thesis research may be conducted on campus with a Biological Sciences faculty member or at an off-campus location. In either case, the student’s research must make a new contribution to the field of biology. If the research is conducted off campus, a Biological Sciences faculty member must be identified as the student’s thesis advisor. Following admission to the program, students are advised by a temporary faculty advisor or by the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the student in their thesis research. Students should plan their academic programs in consultation with a faculty advisor as early as possible, preferably in the semester prior to the one in which graduate study will begin.

More information

Prospective graduate students may obtain a current copy of the handbook entitled "Information for Graduate Students in Biological Sciences". This handbook is revised yearly and may be obtained from the office of the Department of Biological Sciences. Here is the 2007 ONLINE version. Here it is as a Word Document. Here it is as a PDF.

For questions about Graduate Studies in general at CSUS, go to the Graduate Studies webpages, including their FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page. For other questions about the Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, please contact Jim Baxter, the Graduate Coordinator, or Laura Zamora, the Graduate Secretary. Here is one more place where you can check to make sure you are following the steps that are needed. Graduate Checklist. Be sure to look at the NEW Admissions Procedures that are now in effect.

Key deadlines: Applications must be complete prior to February 15 for admission in the Fall semester. There is no longer a general call for admissions for students to begin in the Spring semester; however, a student may petition the department to begin in the Spring. Please contact your potential supervisor to discuss this option.

Key Information

Jim Baxter is the Graduate Coordinator, also known as the Chair of the Graduate Commiteee
Laura Zamora is the Graduate Secretary.
Deadlines
Graduate Handbook [pdf]

Getting Admitted, Choosing a Supervisor and Becoming a Graduate Student

Admissions Procedures
Faculty in Biological Sciences and their research interests
Research Groups in Biological Sciences
CSUS Catalog description of the Masters Program
CSUS Admissions & Records Office
CSUS Office of Graduate Studies

Being a Graduate Student

Current Graduate Students
Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
Field Biology Group
Lockers
Scholarships for Graduate Students
Student jobs
Student Policies at CSUS
Bio 299 form
Classification application form

Selecting Courses

MySacState
Courses (graduate courses are denoted by course numbers in the 200-500 range)
Course Webpages
Course Schedule -- Offerings for next two years (****outdated)

Advancement

Graduate Committee Member Schedules (Spring 2008)
Advancement to Candidacy Checklist
Writing Proficiency Exam
Request for Scheduling Advancement to Candidacy Meeting (Form)
Application for Advancement to Candidacy (Guidelines and Form)
Advancement to Candidacy Application Sample
Thesis abstract form for Advancement

Final Thesis

Graduate Committee Member Schedules (Spring 2008)
Request for Scheduling the Thesis Seminar (form)
Thesis Format Requirements (from Office of Graduate Studies)
Thesis Format Guidelines (from Biological Sciences)
Sample Thesis Title page, abstract page, etc (revised December 5, 2007)

Updated: May 20, 2008

Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Sequoia Hall, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J. Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6077; Tel: 916-278-6535; FAX 916-278-6993; Email: nangell@csus.edu