Program: Biology, Evolutionary Biology Concentration, M.S. - San Diego State University

Apr 02, 2025

2024-2025 University Catalog

(Major Code: 04071) (Academic Plan Code: M.S. 771488MSS)

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy, including the language other than English requirement for the Master of Arts degree, as stated in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . Presenting a successful thesis proposal (as indicated by submission of a completed thesis proposal form) is required to be advanced to candidacy.

Specific Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biology

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must complete a graduate program of 30 units of upper division and graduate courses selected, with the approval of the graduate adviser, from the biological sciences as listed below, or from closely related fields.

At Least 15 of the Units Selected

At least 15 of the units selected must be in 600- and 700-numbered courses, including

BIOL 799A - Thesis or Project Units: 3

A Maximum of Six Units

A maximum of six units of the required 30 units may be selected from acceptable courses offered in the College of Education. A final oral examination in the field of the thesis and its implication in the broad fields of biology is also required.

Evolutionary Biology

This research program is broadly concerned with the biology and evolution of whole organisms. The student has a wide variety of research areas from which to choose, including morphology, systematics, paleontology, natural history, behavior, comparative physiology, developmental biology, population genetics, coevolution, and evolutionary theory. Many groups of organisms are studied, including marine and terrestrial invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Program adviser, Burns.

In addition to the emphases described above, a number of faculty have active research programs in marine biology and accept graduate students in this area.