The MA in Biological Sciences, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences , offers students broad training in areas of science that may include general biology, plant biology, cell biology, ecology, entomology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, systems physiology, toxicology, zoology, or, under special circumstances, marine biology. Students with an MA in Biological Sciences go on to careers in research, biotechnology, medical and health sciences, and teaching.

For more information visit the SJSU Biological Sciences website.

University Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply system and meet all the university admission requirements. Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on the Graduate Program Test Requirements webpage. The program does not currently require the GRE for admission.

Department Requirements

In addition, applicants must upload a personal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation in the Cal State Apply admissions portal. Applicants’ admission into the program is contingent upon their being accepted by a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences who will become their major advisor. Applicants must contact the graduate coordinator.

Students can be admitted in either classified or conditionally classified standing.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Classified 

To be admitted to the MA in Biological Sciences program in Classified status, an applicant must meet all of the minimum university and departmental requirements for admission.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified 

If an applicant’s preparation for advanced graduate work is considered inadequate to meet the course prerequisites or other departmental and/or faculty requirements, the conditions will include passing additional courses (specified by the student’s major advisor) in the first semester of the program with a grade of B or better. The program admissions letter will explain terms and requirements.

Advancement to Candidacy

The university requirements for advancement to candidacy  for the master’s degree are outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures  section. Students should seek advancement to candidacy as soon as possible for their given program and on the advice of their graduate program coordinator. Graduate students may submit a Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy form to the Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluations (GAPE) office after satisfying the following: achieved classified status; completed a minimum of nine letter-graded units with all grades “C” or higher; fulfilled the Campus Graduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (CGGWAR); achieved a minimum cumulative and program 3.0 GPA, and, graduate within the seven-year time limit for degree completion. Graduate students must submit their petition no later than one semester prior to graduating. Courses that satisfy the CGGWAR are listed in the course requirements for the program.

Each semester, students should consult with their graduate advisor to develop a schedule of courses. Students admitted as conditionally classified must satisfy the requirements listed in their acceptance agreement before advancement to candidacy. Students who have completed matriculation and achieved classified standing in the master’s degree curriculum must next advance to candidacy for the degree. 

Program of Study Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements  section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures . Students must comply with all other graduate requirements contained in this catalog.

Course Requirements

At SJSU, students must pass the Campus Graduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (CGGWAR).

A grade of “B” or better in BIOL 202  will satisfy this requirement. 

Culminating Experience

Students in the MA, Biological Sciences may complete the program Culminating Experience through either a comprehensive exam or graduate project. Students who have advanced to candidacy, and who have completed or are in the final semester of completing the 30 units of required coursework will choose, in consultation with their major advisor, one of two options for their Culminating Experience. The program does not offer a thesis option.

Plan B (Comprehensive Exam)

Students choosing the Plan B (Comprehensive Exam) will enroll in BIOL 298M , and successfully complete the written exam, followed by an oral exam as their culminating experience. The advising committee determines the format of the written and oral exams. Once the written portion of the exam is passed, students take a two- to three-hour oral examination. Successful completion of both exams is required for the award of the MA Biological Sciences degree. Students who are not successful in their first attempt will have one opportunity to retake one or both exams. Written and oral exams will include material from graduate-level coursework taken by the student. Successful completion of both the written and oral exams is determined by a majority vote of the student’s graduate committee.

Plan B (Project)

The student choosing the Plan B (Project) must enroll in the 1-unit BIOL 298M  and complete a research project that has been approved and supervised by their major advisor. This culminating experience option requires students to complete a written report in the style of a manuscript for publication that describes the project and to deliver an oral presentation describing the project to the advising committee. Research projects for the MA Biological Sciences are typically 1-2 semesters in duration. Successful completion of both the manuscript and the oral presentation is determined by a majority vote of the student’s graduate committee.

As shown below, the program consists of 30 semester units of approved work. The student consults with his or her advisor to select coursework.