MA/MS in Biology, General

The MS in biology centers on original research, with a thesis defended before a faculty committee. The graduate core covers research seminars and biological research methods, and students then choose electives in topics such as physiology and cell and molecular biology. Every student is expected to teach, either through a paid teaching assignment or a teaching experience arranged with the graduate committee. Students without a paid assignment can earn course credit for designing and running that experience. The final examination combines a research seminar with an oral defense of the thesis. Coursework is planned by year and quarter, and a graduate committee guides each student's thesis research toward completion. The thesis and seminar requirements give each student a clear route from research question to defense.