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Graduate Program
Academic Program
A student may work toward a Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences through either of two plans, one involving a research Thesis and the other involving additional course work and an independent study project (i.e., the Course Work Plan). Students interested in working toward a Teaching Credential in addition to a Master’s Degree should contact the Teacher Preparation Coordinator in Biological Sciences immediately upon enrollment.
The formal program of study for the Master’s Degree must include 45 units of committee-approved graduate work, at least 30 units of which must be at the 500-level. At least 18 units of the formal program of study must be completed after the student has been advanced to candidacy. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required in all courses included in the Formal Plan of Study (see below).
Required units of approved courses in the Biological Sciences Department at the 400- and 500- levels are as follows:
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Thesis Plan |
Course Work Plan |
| Cellular Biology (BIO 501) |
4 |
4 |
| Biology of Organisms (BIO 502) |
4 |
4 |
| Population Biology (BIO 503) |
4 |
4 |
| Seminar in Biology (BIO 590) |
3 |
3 |
| Thesis, including oral defense (BIO 599) |
9 |
- |
| Individual Study, including written report (BIO 500) |
- |
4 |
| Selected from 500-level courses |
6 |
11 |
| Additional 400- and 500-level courses |
15 |
15 |
| Comprehensive Exam |
Part I |
Part I & II |
| TOTAL UNITS |
45 |
45 |
Notes:
- 32 units of course work must be taken in residence within the Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly.
- Only 4 units of College Teaching Practicum (BIO 575) can be used on the Formal Study Plan.
- Parts I and II of the Comprehensive Exam are explained on page 5 of the Graduate Student Handbook.
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