Master's Degree
The program consists of at least nine courses completed in graduate standing, of which at least five must be graduate (200-series) courses. The remaining courses may be in the 100, 200, or 500 series. No more than two 596 courses (eight units) may be applied toward the nine courses required for the degree; only one 596 course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum five graduate courses
required. Courses in the major that are taken for S/U grading may not be applied toward the minimum requirement. Courses outside of the major that are taken for S/U grading may be applied toward the minimum requirement if they are deemed applicable and provided that no more than one such course is taken per quarter.
Specific course requirements are established individually for each student by the guidance committee.
Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations
Students are required to take the Departmental Written Qualifying Examination during their first year in residence. The examination consists of two parts: Part I examines the breadth of understanding (conceptual and synthetic) of the diversity of specialized subjects within integrative biology and is coupled to two graduate courses (Biology M200A, 200B). Part II is designed to test the student's ability to read critically and evaluate the literature in their chosen scientific specialty.
After course requirements are fulfilled and the Qualifying Examinations are passed, a Master's Student is required to either take the Comprehensive Examination or write a Master's Thesis.
Comprehensive Examination Plan
Students who elect the Comprehensive Examination Plan must take a three-hour examination generally prepared and graded by the Guidance Committee or committee chair.
Thesis Plan
A thesis that reports the results of an original investigation is required for this plan. Before beginning work on the thesis, students must obtain approval of the subject and general plan from the master's thesis committee, which consists of three faculty. The thesis must be prepared in accord with University format requirements in UCLA Policies and Procedures for Thesis Dissertation and Filing, available from the Graduate Division and University Archives. The completed thesis is presented to the thesis committee for approval.
Teaching Experience
Not required.
