This timeline contains the required and recommended benchmarks for the successful completion of the MS in Biology and the MS in Biology, specializing in Ecology and Evolutionary Medicine. Specific details can be found in the EEB Graduate Handbook.
Year 1
Year-Long
Required:
- Enroll in LIFESCI 495: Preparation for College-Level Teaching in Life Sciences before or during the first quarter appointed as a Teaching Assistant at UCLA.
Fall Quarter
Required:
- September:
- During week 0, attend EEB’s Graduate Student Orientation.
- Students who are not California residents must begin gathering documentation to establish residency the following summer.
- September/October: Students must form and meet as soon as possible with their Guidance Committee to plan coursework for their first year.
- Enroll in EE BIOL 200A: Ecology
Recommended:
- Enroll in EE BIOL 201: Introduction to R for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- October: Attend weekend field excursion for new students by enrolling in EE BIOL 296: Seminar- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Winter Quarter
Required:
- (EvMed only) Enroll in EE BIOL 185: Evolutionary Medicine (if 185 is not offered during winter, please enroll in the course in the spring)
Recommended:
- Enroll in EE BIOL 200B: Evolutionary Biology if needed.
- Enroll in EE BIOL 200C: Advanced Animal Behavior if needed.
Spring Quarter
Required:
- By week 1 of Spring quarter, submit the first draft of the Departmental Written Qualifying Exam (DWQE) Part II to guidance committee.
- By week 8 of Spring quarter, submit the final draft of the DWQE Part II to guidance committee. Students must pass this exam at the MS level before Year 2.
- (EvMed only) Take EE BIOL 186: Evolutionary Medicine- Clinical Perspective on Medical, Surgical, and Psychiatric Disorders.
Summer
Recommended:
- Students who are not California residents should apply for residency so that Non-Resident Tuition is no longer charged.
Year 2
Year-Long
Required:
- Complete 36 units of graduate coursework.
- Take an advanced quantitative course in Statistics, Biostatics, or Bioinformatics (optional for students specializing in EvMed).
- Continue to take graduate courses as recommended by faculty advisor.
- Enroll in LIFESCI 495: Preparation for College-Level Teaching in Life Sciences before or during the first quarter appointed as a Teaching Assistant at UCLA.
Recommended:
- Attend conferences, career events, and panels, to strengthen professional networks for upcoming job searches. Students should be applying for positions at least one year before they plan to graduate.
Warning:
- Any student who has not graduated by end of Year 2 will lose good standing and is not guaranteed Departmental or University support (e.g., Teaching Assistantships, conference/travel awards, or fellowships).
Fall Quarter
Required:
- Continue to take graduate courses as recommended by faculty advisor.
Winter Quarter
Required:
- Continue to take graduate courses as recommended by faculty advisor.
- Students must file for advancement to master’s candidacy by the end of Winter quarter.
- Students on the Thesis track must form the thesis committee.
Spring Quarter
Required:
- Students must complete all remaining degree requirements.
- Students on the thesis track must remain registered and enrolled in order to file the thesis or, if eligible, apply for a Filing Fee in lieu of tuition during the filing quarter. The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) deadlines vary by quarter, but typically the thesis must be filed by the last week of the quarter. (It is recommended for a student to begin filing their thesis 1 week before the last day of the term in order to make sure that there are no technical difficulties preventing your submission.)