Evolutionary Biology at SDSU

The Master's program is central to the Evolutionary Biology program area's mission of actively advancing the field of evolutionary biology through excellence in teaching, research, and mentoring. Because evolutionary biology is the central organizing principle of biology, students in the program work on a variety of research questions, involving many different kinds of organisms. Students in the M.S. program have a variety of options open to them upon graduation. Many graduates of the M.S. program choose to continue their education by pursuing a Ph.D. at other institutions. Other graduates choose employment as biologists with government agencies, the private sector, or non-profit organizations.

All students must complete a graduate program of 30 units selected from courses approved for the M.S. in Biology. In addition, students are expected to engage in an original research project. A written thesis proposal must be approved by the student’s committee and an oral proposal presented to the faculty. At the completion of thesis research, a thesis defense must take place before the student’s thesis committee gives final approval to the thesis. Students are expected to choose a project that will ultimately be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Typically, students eligible for admission have:

1. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.85 or better for the last 60 semester units, and a
     3.0 or better in upper division biology courses.
2. A score of at least 540 on the Verbal section of the General GRE, 610 on the Quantitative section,
     and 4.5 on the Analytical Writing Section. The Biology GRE is not required.
3. A bachelor's degree in Biology or related field from any accredited college or university, with
     coursework comparable to the undergraduate program in Biology at San Diego State University.
     Students may be asked to take additional coursework to fill curriculum deficits. Typical applicants
     for admission have taken physics, chemistry, calculus, organic chemistry, cell biology,
     biochemistry, biostatistics, genetics, and evolution.
4. For foreign students, a minimum score on the TOEFL exam of 550 (paper exam) or 213
     (computer-based exam) is required.

There are two critical steps in the admission process:

1. Students are not admitted into the E.B. Master's program unless a faculty member is willing to sponsor them in their lab. Thus, prospective students should make contact with faculty members whose research matches the student's interests. This should be done early in the admissions process. Potential faculty mentors can advise students as to whether they will be accepting students into their lab for the coming semester and whether their research interests are compatible.

2. Students must submit application materials for admission, including supporting transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (and TOEFL, if applicable). Deadlines for completion of files are February 1 for those applying for a TA/GAship or May 1 for all others for the following fall semester. November 1 (October 1 for foreign students) is the deadline for admission during the spring semester. However, the deadline for consideration for a TA/GAship for the spring semester is October 1 for all students. Please consult the Application Procedure For Masters Programs for complete instructions. Foreign students should also consult the Application Information for Foreign Students.

For California residents, registration fees are $2,035 for full-time (6.1 or more units) and $1,318 for part-time (6.0 units or less) per semester. Non-resident and foreign students must pay $339 per unit in addition to the aforementioned registration fees. In addition, foreign students are required to have health insurance coverage every year (approximately $650). U.S. citizens may achieve California residency status at the end of one year. Once California residency is established students will pay the resident tuition fees. All fees are subject to change by the Trustees of the California State University.

For more detailed and current information, please see the Graduate Bulletin or the University Cashiers Office website.

Graduate teaching assistantships (TAs) are available on a competitive basis (based on GPA and GRE scores) at a salary of approximately $11,238 for up to 20 hours work per week for the academic year (9 mos.). TAs are eligible for a full benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance for the calendar year. Graduate assistantships (GAs) are also available for research and non-teaching duties. Application forms for TA and GA positions can be found at Application Procedure for Masters Programs. Completed applications should be submitted to the Department of Biology by February 1 along with all other application materials in order to be considered for a TA appointment. In addition to TAs and GAs funded by the university, graduate research assistantships may also be available from the prospective faculty mentor. Fellowships, scholarships, and other forms of financial assistance from university, state, federal, and private sources are also available. More information about fellowships and loans can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office on campus.

CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION

Dr. David Archibald
Biology Graduate Coordinator
Department of Biology
San Diego Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-4614
Phone: (619) 594-6917
FAX: (619) 594-5676
Email: darchibald@sunstroke.sdsu.edu

Dr. Kevin J. Burns
Advisor for E.B. Master's Program
Email: kburns@sunstroke.sdsu.edu

THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT

San Diego State University is located 12 miles east of downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. San Diego is a diverse metropolitan center with a population over one million people. San Diego provides its inhabitants with one of the greatest varieties of living conditions and recreational opportunities. The Laguna Mountains are 45 minutes to the east and rise to over 6000 ft. and offer pine forests and hiking, camping and snow. Beyond the Lagunas lies the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in the United States. Twelve miles to the west of campus lies the beautiful Pacific Ocean with over 72 miles of recreational beaches providing outstanding facilities for marine and water sports and ocean fishing. The city contains many fine cultural and recreational attractions, many of which are centered around Balboa Park. Balboa Park contains the world famous San Diego Zoo as well as museums, art galleries, and the Old Globe Theatre, with its summer Shakespearean festivals. Football, basketball, baseball and hockey fans can take advantage of San Diego's many sports facilities to watch their favorite teams in action. Just 15 minutes south of San Diego is Mexico with its cultural attractions, unusual shopping opportunities, and limitless possibilities for outdoor adventure in the rugged Baja peninsula.

San Diego State University, founded in 1897, is oldest university in the San Diego region and the largest of the 22 institutions in the CSU system. They are governed by the Board of Trustees and administered by the Chancellor of the CSU and Presidents of each institution. San Diego State University occupies a mesa on the eastern end of Mission Valley, home of San Diego Mission, the oldest of the California missions. The university offers bachelor’s degrees in 81 fields and 74 master's degrees. At present there are 16 doctoral programs offered jointly with the University of California. Over 90% of the University's 1,100 member faculty possesses a doctoral or equivalent degree in their fields. The annual amount of research and contract grant funds brought in by SDSU faculty exceeds $150 million. The San Diego State campus itself is cosmopolitan with almost 34,000 full- and part-time students, including more than 6,000 graduate students. Drama, concerts, speakers, film series, and sports provide a varied on-campus life to complement the opportunities off-campus.