M.S. in Marine Science (offered at Moss Landing Marine Lab)
Note: MLML offers a M.S. in Marine Science. This is not the same as the M.S. in Biology, Concentration in Marine Biology offered by the Biology Department at the San Francisco State campus. For further information on these two different degrees, please contact the appropriate advisor at either campus.

Students interested in graduate study in Biology are urged to contact the graduate coordinator of the program of interest and correspond directly with faculty members working in the student's area of interest.

Coordinator: Dr. Diana Chu

This program is designed for students preparing for future graduate work as well as those wishing to increase their competency in the fields of cell and molecular biology. It emphasizes the study of cells, cell organelles, macromolecules, and the regulation of their production and interaction. As such, it represents an expanding frontier of research that integrates biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, developmental biology, and cell ultrastructure.

The specific course requirements are determined by the student's committee and are based on considerations such as goals, interests, and undergraduate preparation. A strong background in chemistry is highly recommended.

Certificate Program in Genetic Engineering

For information on this program click HERE or contact the program advisor, Dr. Michael Goldman.

Coordinator: Dr. Robert Patterson

Students can select areas of specialization within the framework of conservation biology. This concentration is tailored by advisement to the interests and needs of each student. The areas of emphasis in this concentration are: conservation, evolution and population biology of rare and endangered species; ecology of invasive species; management and conservation of natural communities; restoration ecology; applied ecology.

Conservation Biology Requirements: At least four of the following six courses

• Population Genetics (Biology 801)
• Systematic Biology (Biology 812)
• Advanced Phylogenetic Analysis (Biology 815)
• Conservation Biology (Biology 830)
• Community Ecology (Biology 840)
• Population Biology (Biology 843)

Coordinator: Dr. Robert Patterson

Students can select areas of specialization within the framework of ecology, systematics, and evolutionary biology. This concentration is tailored by advisement to the interests and needs of each student. The areas of emphasis in this concentration are: phylogeny, population genetics, and biogeography; taxonomy and biodiversity of plants, animals, and fungi; evolutionary, quantitative, and theoretical ecology; community, population, and ecosystem ecology; reproductive, behavioral, physiological ecology.

Coordinator: Dr. Frances Wilkerson

The M.S. in Biology with a concentration in Marine Biology is designed to offer students a broad exposure to the major marine groups and nearshore habitats and experience with the research methodologies to study them. The faculty offer course work and active research programs in the ecology and ecological physiology of marine invertebrates, the systematics and ecology of marine fishes, the ecology and behavior of marine mammals, the biology of the algae and salt marsh flora, and estuarine ecology.

Students enrolled in marine biology at SFSU may also take courses and conduct research at the Romberg Tiburon Center, and at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, located on Monterey Bay. Many of our students have also worked closely with staff scientists at nearby research institutions including the California Academy of Sciences, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Students completing the marine biology program have been successful in obtaining marine-oriented positions with state and federal agencies and private environmental consulting firms. Many of our graduates enter the teaching profession, while about one quarter continue on to competitive Ph.D. programs in the marine sciences.

Upper division course prerequisites (17-25 units), in addition to core prerequisites, include:

• An upper division course in organismal physiology with laboratory
• An upper division course in ecology
• Electives that indicate preparation for graduate study in marine biology

(Suitable upper division electives include selections of courses in cell biology and/or microbiology, additional statistics or calculus, limnology, oceanography, ichthyology, marine invertebrate zoology, estuarine and wetland ecology, and evolution.)

Faculty:  Katharyn Boyer, William Cochlan, Sarah Cohen, Karen Crow-Sanchez, Richard Dugdale, Terry Gosliner, Wim Kimmerer, John McCosker, Richard Mooi, Peter Roopnarine, Jonathon Stillman, Robert Van Syoc, Frances Wilkerson, Gary Williams.

Coordinator: Dr. Diana Chu

The study of microbes and viruses is central to the fields of molecular biology, pathogenesis, immunity, and biotechnology; they are also important in the study of the biochemical and genetic properties of cells and organisms, as well as to their ecology. This concentration provides course work and research opportunities for students who have career goals in research or industry or who wish to pursue PhD studies after completing their master's degree.

Students interested in the M.S. in Biomedical Laboratory Science should contact the graduate coordinator in the Center for Biomedical Laboratory Science (CBLS).

Microbiology Concentration Requirements

• Seminar in Microbiology (Biology 884) .......................................... 1 unit
• Advanced Microbiology (Biology 864) ............................................ 2 units
• At least one graduate laboratory course in microbiology chosen from:
  • Cell and Tissue Culture (Biology 739) .................................4 units
  • Electron Microscopy (Biology 741) .................................... 4 units
  • Experiments in Gene Engineering (Biology 744) ................ 4 units
• Immunochemistry (Biology 755) ...................................................... 3 units

Coordinator: Dr. Megumi Fuse

The M.S. degree in Physiology and Behavioral Biology is designed to provide students with a broadly based foundation in course work and practical experience in conducting a focused laboratory and/or field research project. Courses cover human physiology, comparative physiology, reproductive physiology, plant physiology, ecological physiology, histology, neuroscience, endocrinology, and animal behavior. Students are expected to complete a program of 30 units of course work, perform a research project under the guidance of a Physiology and Behavioral Biology advisor, write a master's thesis, and present a thesis seminar to the Biology faculty. Faculty research interests include muscle physiology, space physiology, cellular and systems neuroscience, marine ecological physiology, marine and terrestrial mammalian physiology, animal communication, and animal behavior. On campus, the teaching and research facilities include a variety of laboratories for biochemical, electrophysiological, anatomical, and behavioral studies.