Program director
Stephen G. Dunbar
By the end of the program, the graduate should be able to:
Assistantships for research and/or teaching are available in the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences on a competitive basis. Further information can be obtained, including contact information, from the department web page at http://www.llu.edu/medicine/ebs/index.page?. Qualified students are also encouraged to seek fellowships from federal and private agencies with the help of their advisors.
For information about requirements and practices to which all graduate students are subject, the student should consult the relevant sections of this catalog and of the school in which this program is housed.
All graduate students in residence must register for and attend seminars (BIOL 607) at this university each quarter.
Students are urged to select a research project early in their programs, in consultation with faculty members and approved by the department. A written research proposal and oral defense of the student's proposed research should be completed early in the third quarter of study. A comprehensive plan for completion of the degree will be approved at that time.
This program is designed for M.S. degree students to finish within the normative time of two years. In certain circumstances, students may require slightly more time for completion. Students who are past the normative time for completing their degrees must register for two units without a tuition waiver each quarter, until they complete their degrees. After their normative time, students may request a one-year grace period that must be approved by the department faculty.
The written thesis must be a completed significant, original research paper, formatted in the style of an appropriate scientific journal—since the manuscript is likely to be submitted for publication.
In addition to Loma Linda University admission requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:
Required:
Recommended:
*Some of these courses may be taken during residence at this University, with the approval of the EBS admissions committee.
It is also recommended that applicants contact the department at ebs@llu.edu.
Applications are accepted at any time, although students are usually admitted for Autumn Quarter. Review of applications begin in February for Autumn Quarter admission. Research assistantships are competitively awarded.
A total of 48 units of courses and research is required, including at least 36 at or above the 500 level. See below for a list of courses.
All values below are in quarter units
| Required | ||
| Additional courses beyond those listed below will be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor | ||
| BIOL 502 | Orientation to Graduate Biology | 1 |
| BIOL 545 | Genetics and Speciation | 4 |
| BIOL 558 | Philosophy of Science 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 607 | Seminar in Biology 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 616 | Research and Experimental Design | 2 |
| BIOL 617 | Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship | 2 |
| BIOL 664 | Science Communication Outreach 4 | 1 |
| Select one or more course(s) from any of the following areas for at least 6 units | 6 | |
| Biological systems | ||
| Ecological Physiology | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Physiology and Molecular Genetics of Microbes | ||
| Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Paleobotany | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Techniques in Vertebrate Ecology | ||
| Biodiversity and Conservation | ||
| Organismal | ||
| Mammalogy | ||
| Invertebrate Paleontology | ||
| Vertebrate Paleontology | ||
| Biology of Marine Invertebrates | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Paleobotany | ||
| Taphonomy | ||
| Religion | ||
| REL_5__ | Graduate-level Religion | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Additional courses required by the student's guidance committee to complete the total units required for the degree 3 | 8 | |
| Neuroscience GS | ||
| Cell Structure and Function GS | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | ||
| Research | ||
| Typically research units will be graded each quarter and can be repeated for additional credit | ||
| BIOL 698 | Thesis Research (1-8) | 15 |
| Total Units | 49 | |
BIOL 559 Philosophy of Science and Origins required for students who have taken BIOL 475 Philosophy of Science and Origins or equivalent
Each quarter in residence; 0.5 unit per quarter (Total units required may very depending on the number of quarters a student is on campus.)
In addition to this list, courses may also be chosen from unused courses listed above for biological systems, ecology, and organismal biology. When choosing elective, keep in mind that a minimum of 44 units for the M.S. degree must be numbered 500 or above.
Fulfills service learning requirement
Students may apply for advancement to candidacy by completing Form A, which requires:
An oral presentation and defense of the thesis, including final oral examination on the student's field of study, are required.
All courses applied toward a graduate degree must have a grade of B or higher.
Two (2) years — based on full-time enrollment; part time is permitted.
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