The Master of Science program in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Stem Cell Biology, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences , offers students training in the pursuit of rigorous scientific investigation with an emphasis on discovering the molecular mechanisms critical for maintenance of stem cells, cellular differentiation, and clinical applications in regenerative medicine. Students complete a rigorous curriculum in stem cell biology including intensive laboratory coursework and completion of an original research project. In addition, students in our concentration will have gained experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, research methodology (e.g., experimental design, sampling techniques, and analysis), and both written and oral communication. Our alumni are successful applicants for doctoral degree programs and generally attain high level academic and non-academic positions in both the private and public sectors.
For more information visit https://www.sjsu.edu/scill/index.php
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 at GAPE.
Department Requirements
Applicants must submit to the SCILL Program Director an explanation of why the student wants to enroll in the SCILL program, their long term goals and how the degree will help facilitate those goals, and two letters of recommendation.
Students can be admitted in either classified or conditionally classified standing.
Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified
Conditionally classified means that the candidate must fulfill specific requirements in order to be eligible to apply for advancement to candidacy. These conditions will be stipulated as part of the acceptance agreement between the faculty adviser and the applicant. Failure to fulfill these requirements will result in disqualification from the program.
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) requirement; 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 the SCILL Program Director to develop a schedule of courses. Students admitted as conditionally classified must satisfy the requirements listed in their acceptance agreement before advancing to candidacy. Students who have 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
As shown below, the program consists of 32 semester units of approved work. The student consults with his or her advisor to select a thesis or project topic.
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
Plan B (Project)
Written Project: The written project must be a manuscript describing the student’s research project, written following a professional journal’s format for submission. It will be written under the guidance of the candidate’s graduate committee chair with the assistance of their graduate committee. The manuscript must be approved by the student’s graduate committee. Typically, the committee will provide the candidate feedback during the Project Defense and may request changes to the manuscript before final approval.
Oral Project Defense: All MS candidates are required to present a public seminar based on their research project.
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