This table provides a summary of all of the documents that are required for your application file to be complete. For detailed application instructions, please visit the Application Procedures for Prospective Biology Graduate Students website. Please read all instructions carefully and pay close attention to WHEN these documents are due and to WHERE these documents must be sent.
In addition to these required documents, students must find a faculty advisor willing to accept them into his or her laboratory. Having a faculty advisor is as a condition of acceptance to the program. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact faculty whose research interests are compatible with their own to determine if these faculty are accepting students, and if so, to arrange a visit to the campus. Faculty members are likely to request a curriculum vitae and a summary of research interests from interested students.
International students should refer to International Student Center for more information on graduate study at SDSU.
Please note: February 1st is the preferred deadline for the masters programs in Ecology. Priority will be given to completed applications received by this date. Review of applications received after February 1st, will continue until all positions are filled.
| DOCUMENT | WHEN* | WHERE | LINK TO FORM |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDSU Electronic Application | Dec 1st — May 1st This is the first step in the admissions procedure |
Online submission | SDSU Electronic Application |
| Transcripts | Dec 1st — May 1st Do not send transcripts before submitting your online application. |
Enrollment Services | |
| Application for TA position | Feb 1st | Graduate Coordinator | Application for TA or GA position (PDF 50K) |
| Biology Department Application | Dec 1st — May 1st | Graduate Coordinator | Biology Department Application Form (PDF 32K) |
| Letters of recommendation (At least 3. Must be in sealed envelopes.) | SDSU Recommendation Letter Form (PDF 11kB) | ||
| GRE scores (General test only) | Graduate Admissions Office | Will be sent directly by Educational Testing Service The SDSU Institutional Code is 4682 |
* The dates in the table are for fall admission. Spring admission dates are Oct 1st for students applying for a TA position and Nov 1st for all other applications. Please keep in mind that the majority of students in our program are accepted for fall Semester, but faculty may accept students in the Spring term. However, TA positions are awarded only during fall admissions.
Contact the Biology Department Graduate Student Coordinator:
For more information about the Ecology Masters program contact the Ecology Masters Adviser:
Department of Biology San Diego State University San Diego, California 92182-4614


