Telephone: 
(760) 750-4103

Department Chair: 
Victoria J. Fabry, Ph.D.

Faculty:
Richard N. Bray, Ph.D.
Larry W. Cohen, Ph.D.
Victoria J. Fabry, Ph.D.
Denise Garcia, Ph.D.
Brian J. Norris, Ph.D.
Betsy Read, Ed.D.
Victor Rocha, Ph.D.
George L. Vourlitis, Ph.D.
Thomas M. Wahlund, Ph.D.

Instructional Support Technicians:
Christina Wilde
Andrew Lowe

Programs Offered:

• Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Concentrations in:
  • Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology
  • Ecology
  • General Biology
• Minor in Biological Sciences
• Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Biology is the study of living pro­cesses from the interaction of species with each other and their environment to the operant mole­cular mechanisms.  The Cal State San Marcos Biological Sciences Department presents a broad program of courses that deal with life on the ecosystem, population, organismal, and mole­cular levels.  One common principle that extends throughout our curricu­lum is that biological processes should ultimately be biochemically explainable and mathematically describable.  Life is a complicated series of chemical reac­tions and interactions, and we seek to under­stand the relationship of orga­nisms to each other, to their environ­ment, and within them­selves in biochemi­cal terms.  Biological Sciences
majors may choose between: 1) a general concentration, 2) a molecular cell biology and biotechnology concen­tration, or 3) an ecology concen­tration.  The general concentration provides wide expo­sure to the range of biological sciences while the cell/molecular and ecology con­cen­trations offer majors the oppor­tunity to focus their studies.  With appropriate choice of biological sci­ences electives and General Education electives, gradu­ates can meet the requirements of admission to gradu­ate, medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, and other professional schools. 

Modern biological science has progressed from the purely analy­tical to now include manipulative capability.  Recombinant DNA techniques enable the investigator to generate specified changes in com­po­nents of organisms for the pur­pose of better understanding some process, and in some cases to intro­duce new traits that will be of practical useful­ness to society.  The Cal State San Marcos program in biological sciences exposes stu­dents to cloning techniques, illustrates the techniques involved as part of the student’s general education, and trains students for research positions.

Society is the beneficiary of modern technology and is also at its mercy.  Products of the industrial process and of our use of natural resources can perturb the dynamic balance in the environment, and by leading to the extinction of species, reduce the diver­sity of living forms.   The Cal State San Marcos Biological Sciences Department addresses fundamental problems in the ecological and environmental sciences. 

The Biological Sciences Department has well-equipped, modern labora­tories. The academic atmosphere is enriched by a close faculty/student interaction (reminiscent of the better, small liberal arts colleges), and by nume­rous field trips to research facilities and sites in the area.  Students receive training that will enable them to gain rewarding employment in a number of areas, including teaching, research, the health sciences, biotechnology, ecology, and environmental science.

Preparation

First-time freshman applicants must complete, with a grade of C or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units.  For more details, see the section on Admission Policies.

Transfer students entering the pro­gram at the junior and senior levels will be expected to have completed the equivalent of lower-division requirements elsewhere during their first two years, including four seme­sters of chemistry, two semesters of physics, and two semesters of college-level calculus or one seme­ster of calculus and one semester of statistics.

Pre-health professions students (pre-chiropractic, dental, medical, opto­metry, osteopathic, pharmacy, and veterinary) are recommended to take BIOL 210, 211, 351, 352, 353, two semesters of physics, and several chemistry courses (see the descrip­tion for the Chemistry Program for additional information). 

Special Conditions for the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and the Minor in Biological Sciences

All courses taken for the major and the minor, including supporting courses, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.  No more than a total of six (6) units of any combination of BIOL 489, BIOL 495 (3 units only), BIOL 496, BIOL 498, and BIOL 499 may be applied toward the major.  A minimum of eighteen (18) units in biology must be completed at Cal State San Marcos. 

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Units
General Education*51
Preparation for the Major*
Concentration40-41
Requirements 34
Students must take a sufficient number of
elective units to bring the total number of
units to a minimum of128

*Nine (9) lower-division GE units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation for the major

Preparation for the Major

Lower-division Biology Courses (8 Units)

BIOL 2104
BIOL 2114

Non-Biology Supporting Courses (32-33 units)

Units
CHEM 1505
CHEM 2013
CHEM 201L2
CHEM 2023
CHEM 2503
MATH 1605

Choose one of the following course sequences:

PHYS 1014
PHYS 1024
Or
PHYS 2054
PHYS 2064

Choose one of the following courses:

MATH 1624
MATH 2403
BIOL 360**4

**BIOL 360 is higly recommended for biology majors

Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology Concentration Requirements

Upper-division (34 units)

BIOL 3515
BIOL 3524
BIOL 3534
BIOL 3544

Choice of 3 courses (at least one must have a lab)       10-12
 

BIOL 367
BIOL 368 and 368L
BIOL 370BIOL 377
BIOL 374BIOL 504+
BIOL 375BIOL 520+
BIOL 376

+ with consent of advisor

Science Electives5-7

Chosen with consent of advisor from  biology courses numbered 355 to 599. With consent of advisor may include one chemistry course or PSYC 461.

Ecology Concentration Requirements

Upper-division (34 units)

BIOL 3515
BIOL 3524
BIOL 3534
BIOL 3544

Choice of 3 courses
(at least one must have a lab)10-12

BIOL 360***BIOL 388
BIOL 379BIOL 390
BIOL 380BIOL 390L
BIOL 386BIOL 502+
BIOL 387BIOL 540+

+ with consent of advisor
***if not taken as a supporting course.

Science Electives5-7

Chosen with consent of advisor from  biology courses numbered 355 to 599. With consent of advisor may include one chemistry course.

General Concentration Requirements

Upper-division (34 units)

BIOL 3515
BIOL 3524
BIOL 3534
BIOL 3544

Choice of 2 courses
(at least one must have a lab)7-8

Choice of one course:
BIOL 367
BIOL 368 and 368L
BIOL 370BIOL 377
BIOL 374BIOL 504+
BIOL 375BIOL 510+
BIOL 376BIOL 520+

Choice of one course:

BIOL 360***BIOL 387
BIOL 379BIOL 388
BIOL 380BIOL 390
BIOL 385BIOL 502+
BIOL 386BIOL 540+

+ with consent of advisor
***if not taken as a supporting course.

Science Electives9-10

Chosen with consent of advisor from  biology courses numbered 355 to 599. With consent of advisor may include one chemistry course or PSYC 461.

MINOR IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Lower-division (16 units)

Units
CHEM 1505
CHEM 2013
BIOL 2104
BIOL 2114

Upper-division (17 units)

Units
BIOL 3515
BIOL 3524
BIOL 3534
BIOL 3544
Total Units33

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Graduate Advisor:
Brian J. Norris, Ph.D.

The graduate program in biological sciences leads to a research-based Master of Science degree.  The program provides the opportunity for participants to receive advanced training in biological sciences and to pursue independent research investi­gations in specialized areas of inte­rest.  Laboratory and/or field research is an integral component of the pro­gram, which emphasizes a “hands-on” approach with close faculty men­toring. The research experience also enables students to hone investigative skills relating to experimental design, implementa­tion, data analysis, and interpreta­tion.  Another important feature of the program is the Teaching Assistantship requirement, which is designed to give students the oppor­tunity to discuss and implement pedagogical strategies employed in science education.

Graduates with an M.S. in Biolo­gical Sciences will be prepared to continue study at the Ph.D. level, to success­fully pursue careers in pri­vate indus­try or government affili­ated labs, and to teach at the ele­men­tary, secondary, or commu­nity college level.

The graduate program in biological sciences fosters the integration of many disciplines.  The wide range of faculty expertise and research inte­rests enables the department to offer a curriculum that spans fields of mole­cular genetics and develop­ment, aqua­tic biology, evolution, ecology, physi­ology, biotechnology, micro­biology, immunology, and molecular cell bio­logy.  Students may develop a pro­gram of courses and research tailored to their indivi­dual needs within the areas of faculty expertise.  In addition, stu­dents may choose a research super­visor outside of the Biological Sciences Program, allowing them to pursue interdisci­plinary studies, special field research, or industrial projects.  Seminar courses focus on the primary literature and are pre­sented as a forum for open inter­change and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Available programs in this degree cover a wide spectrum of biology and include both laboratory and field study.  The department has sophisti­cated research laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation. Facilities include a vivarium, green­house, tissue culture laboratory, scan­­ning electron micro­scope, environ­men­tal growth cham­bers, a 21 foot boat, numerous aquaria, and equip­ment for radio­isotope and modern molecular biology work.  Excellent computer facilities are also available.  The close proxi­mity of the campus to marine, chaparral, and desert environ­ments provides many opportunities for field studies.

This degree requires a thesis based on original scientific research.  A list of research areas with the names of faculty specializing in these areas can be obtained from the Program Director.

Admission Requirements and Application

The Program in Biological Sciences will consider applicants having the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must meet the general requirements for admis­sion to graduate studies at Cal State San Marcos.  These are described in this catalog under Graduate Admission Requirements.
    
2. The applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree in the biologi­cal or related sciences, with mini­mum coursework and grade point requirements equivalent to the Minor in Biological Sciences at Cal State San Marcos. 
    
3. The applicant must have main­tained an undergraduate grade point average in all completed science and math courses of at least 2.75, or a grade point ave­rage of at least 3.0 in the last 35 semester units of science and math.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject Test in Biology, or the Subject Test in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology should be taken prior to applying to the pro­gram.  Graduate students admitted without GRE subject test scores must take this examination by the end of their second semester in residence.  Under normal circum­stances, a minimally acceptable score on the GRE subject test would be above the 50th percentile.

All applicants, regardless of citizen­ship, who do not possess a bache­lor’s degree from a post-secondary insti­tution where English is the principal language must take the combined Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) examination. A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL and a minimum of 4.5 on the TWE are required. 

A complete application consists of:

Application Materials sent directly to the Admission Office of Cal State San Marcos

• A completed application form for admission to Cal State San Marcos
• Application fee
• One set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, with indication of graduation

Application Materials sent directly to the Biological Sciences Department (see address below)

1. A completed Biological Sciences Application Form, available from the Biological Sciences Program office.  In addition to other information, this form requires a statement of educational and career goals.
    
2. Official transcripts of all college level academic work, including that done at Cal State San Marcos.
    
3. Official score reports of the GRE Subject Test in Biology or the GRE Subject Test in Biochemi­stry, Cell, and Molecular Bio­logy, if taken.  If applicable, scores for the TOEFL/TWE must be included.
    
4. Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic perfor­mance and potential for indepen­dent research.

Application Materials sent directly to the Biological Sciences Department Administrative Coordinator at: California State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, CA  92096-0001.

Application Deadlines:

• March 15th for admission in Fall semester

Review and Acceptance

The Graduate Studies Committee will review all files received by the deadline, and either accept the applicant as a classified or condi­tionally classified graduate student or deny admission.  All accepted students who expect to enroll in the following fall semester must schedule an interview during the week before the beginning of the semester with the faculty member identified in the acceptance letter.  This interview will focus on coun­seling and orienting the applicant with special attention to any academic deficiencies.

Admission as a Classified Graduate Student

The Graduate Studies Committee will admit as a classified graduate student any applicant who has:

1. met all Cal State San Marcos and Biological Sciences Program prerequisites;
2. submitted GRE Subject Test scores at or above the 50th percentile;
3. submitted all required docu­ments; and
4. obtained agreement of a Biological Sciences faculty mem­ber to serve as the chair of the student’s thesis committee. 

Graduate students admitted to classi­fied status should meet with their thesis committee chairs to set up a program of study (see next page).

Admission as a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student

Applicants who fail to meet the criteria above for classified admis­sion to the Program in Biological Sciences and who fall into one of the following four categories may be considered by the Graduate Studies Committee for admission as conditionally classified graduate students.  These would include:

1. Applicants with course and/or unit deficiencies.  The Gradu­ate Studies Committee will determine the deficiencies of each applicant relative to the courses required for the Cal State San Marcos minor in Biological Sciences.  The Committee will indicate which course(s) the applicant must take to make up those deficiencies.  These courses are taken in addition to the minimum 30 units required for the Master of Science degree and may be included in the student’s program of study.  The applicant must make up all such deficiencies before attaining classified status.
    
2. Applicants with GPA defi­ciencies.  An applicant with an undergraduate GPA in science and mathematics between 2.5 and 2.75 and a GPA in the last 35 semester units of science and mathematics courses between 2.75 and 3.0 may be admitted as a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student.  The applicant must first obtain sponsorship from a faculty member in the Program in Biological Sciences who must indicate, in writing, to the Graduate Studies Committee a willingness to serve as the chair of the applicant’s thesis commit­tee and the reasons why the Graduate Studies Com­mittee should admit the applicant.  In addition, an applicant receiving Conditional classification must complete, with a grade of B (3.0), or better, three approved courses totaling at least nine units acceptable to the Graduate Studies Committee.  These approved courses may appear on the student’s graduate program of study.  If the conditionally clas­sified student receives less than a B (3.0) in any of the three courses, he or she will be disqualified from the Master of Science program.  
    
3. Applicants who meet all prere­quisites but who do not yet have chairs for their thesis com­mittee. Each student must obtain a thesis committee chair and set up a graduate program of study by the end of the second semester in residence following admission to the Master of Science program. Students without a thesis com­mittee chair and program of study cannot be advanced to candidacy and will be dropped from the program.
    
4. Applicants who have not taken the GRE subject test in Biology or Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, or who have failed to score at or above the 50th percen­tile.  Applicants may be admitted as condi­tionally classified students prior to establishing minimally accept­able GRE subject test scores.  Minimally acceptable scores would normally be at or above the 50th percentile.  Stu­dents will be reclassified when evidence of acceptable GRE subject test scores is presented to the Gradu­ate Studies Com­mittee.  Students failing to pre­sent such evidence by the end of their second seme­ster in resi­dence will be dropped from the program.  Only in unusual situations will students with GRE Subject Test scores below the 50th percentile be allowed to continue.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 30 seme­ster units of study at the advanced level (500-698 courses).  At least 15 and preferably 21 of these units must be in courses organized for graduate students (courses num­bered 600-698). A maximum of six (6) units of Directed Studies (BIOL 697) and six (6) units of Thesis (BIOL 698) may be inclu­ded in the 30 units required for the degree.

All of the following requirements must be met within five years to earn the degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences at Cal State San Marcos:

1. Advancement to candidacy.  In order to be considered for advancement, graduate students must have obtained approval of their program of study, have developed a thesis proposal, and have presented the propo­sal to their thesis com­mittee.  On approval of their thesis proposal, classified graduate students will be advanced to candidacy for the Master of Science degree.
    
2. A completed program of study.  This program is composed of at least 30 units of graduate-level work including seven required courses and research, all of which must have been approved by the student’s thesis committee and must have been completed with a GPA of at least 3.0.
    
3. Completion of a written thesis based on original field or labora­tory research.  This thesis must be approved by the student’s thesis committee and defended in an oral presentation to the faculty and students of the Biological Sciences Program.
    
4. Completion of at least one semester as a teaching assistant.  Because effective communication is important to success at the Master’s level, the Program in Biological Sciences requires that a graduate student serve as a Teaching Assistant. Candidates who can demonstrate that this requirement would pose an undue hardship may petition the Graduate Studies Committee to waive this requirement.

Program of Study

Each graduate student must establish a specific plan (program of study) that will lead to fulfillment of require­ments for the Master of Science degree.  It must be approved before the student advances to candidacy.  This program must contain at least 30 units of courses at the graduate level, of which at least 15 units (and preferably 21 units) are in 600-level courses, and the remaining 9-15 units are in 500-level courses.  Additional courses for the area of study may be required.  The program of study should be developed in consultation with the chair of the student’s thesis committee with a focus on gaining depth of knowledge in a particular subdiscipline of biological science.  Required courses are:  Research Methods I and II (BIOL 610 and BIOL 611), Internship in Biology Instruction (BIOL 685), two seminars chosen from BIOL 560-566, Directed Studies (BIOL 697), and Thesis (BIOL 698).  This plan should include a minimum of five (5) units of Directed Studies (BIOL 697) and at least five (5) units of Thesis research (BIOL 698).  The program of study may include additional courses needed to satisfy prerequisites for classified status.  The formal program of study must be submitted for approval to the student’s thesis committee before the end of the second semester after admission to the program.

A typical full-time student, enrolled in nine (9) units per semester (see Academic Regulations/Student Course Load), is expected to complete his or her pro­gram of study after four semesters in residence.  Units earned not in resi­dence at Cal State San Marcos may not exceed six (6) and they must be approved by the student’s thesis committee.  Part-time students must complete their program of study within ten semesters in residence.

Advancement to Candidacy

To be eligible for advancement to candidacy for the Master of Science degree, a graduate student must have attained classified status and have constituted a thesis committee.  Each student must obtain the per­mis­sion of a tenured or tenure-track Biological Sciences faculty member to serve as the chair of his or her thesis com­mittee.  The thesis com­mittee chair and student then recom­mend two additional members for the thesis committee.  A student’s research supervisor need not be a member of the Cal State San Marcos Biological Sciences faculty, but must be a member of the thesis committee.  The Graduate Studies Committee must approve the composition of the student’s com­mittee.  The thesis committee chair will assist the stu­dent in establishing a program of study and in developing a thesis research pro­posal.  A formal written thesis pro­posal will be orally pre­sented to the thesis committee no later than the beginning of the second year of full-time study, or after twelve (12) units of graduate coursework have been completed.  The student will be advanced to candidacy after the offi­cial program of study has been approved by the thesis committee, the written thesis proposal has been pre­sented, and the thesis committee has approved the proposal.

Continuation

Graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and earn at least a C (2.0) in each course, except those graded credit/no credit (see Academic Regulations/Definition of Terms).  Students who are condi­tionally classified because of GPA deficiencies may not earn less than a B (3.0) in the courses on their approved list.  Any student whose overall GPA falls below 3.0 for two semesters, or who receives more than three grades of C (2.0) or lower, will be dropped from the pro­gram.  A full-time graduate student should be enrolled in at least nine (9) units per semester.  Full-time students serving as teaching assis­tants or graduate assistants should be enrolled in at least six (6) units during the semester of ser­vice.  Each student must present a formal thesis proposal no later than the beginning of the second full year of study, or after twelve (12) units of graduate coursework.  In addi­tion, except in unusual circum­stances, a completed thesis must be submitted and defended not later than eight semesters fol­lowing advance­ment to candidacy, and not later than five years after entry into the program.  The student must be registered in BIOL 698 or 699 when the completed thesis is granted final approval.

Financial Aid

Several sources of financial aid are available to graduate students.  Students are responsible for identifying other sources of aid, and may wish to consult with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship.