Department of Earth and Biological Sciences

Graduate degree programs

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

The Department of Earth and Biological Sciences (EBS) within the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University offers Master of Science degrees in biology, geology, and natural sciences; Doctor of Philosophy degrees in biology and earth science; and Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and environmental sciences. 

The goal of the department is to provide students with the best possible opportunities for graduate study in these areas, with strong preparation for careers in the application of research in or teaching of biology, geology, paleontology, or earth systems science.

Student life

Information on student life contained in this CATALOG is brief. The Student Handbook more comprehensively addresses University and school expectations, regulations, and policies, and is available to each registered student, who needs to be familiar with the contents of the Student Handbook and the School of Medicine's "Orange Book" of Student Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures. Additional information regarding policies specific to a particular school or program within the University is available from the respective school.

Financial information

Tuition

Tuition, fees, and other cost-of-attendance items are located on the Find a Program webpage.

Residence requirements

Minimum requirements include one year of full-time residence at Loma Linda University, completing at least 32 of the last 48 units; or a minimum of 45 total units of coursework for the degree at Loma Linda University. 

Scholarships and discounts for earth and biological sciences undergraduate students

Tuition, fees, and other cost-of-attendance items are located on the Find a Program webpage.

  • Academic scholarships based on test results< >American College Test (ACT) score of 30 or above: $1,600 (or 16 percent of tuition). For a student who maintains a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.5, renewable for successive years.Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): The student must maintain a 3.5 cumulative G.P.A., renewable for successive years. If a student qualifies for both an ACT and an SAT scholarship, the scholarship with the largest dollar value will apply.National Merit Finalist Scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition.
  • National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship covers 34 percent of tuition.
  • National Merit Commended Scholarship covers 20 percent of tuition.
  • Renewable G.P.A. scholarships (eligibility based on G.P.A. at the end of previous academic year): If a student is eligible for a National Merit Scholarship and/or an ACT scholarship, as well as a G.P.A. scholarship, the scholarship with the largest dollar value will apply.
  • G.P.A. between 3.75 and 4.00, $1,480 per year (or 15 percent of tuition).
  • G.P.A. between 3.50 and 3.74, $1,180 per year (or 12 percent of tuition).
  • G.P.A. between 3.25 and 3.49, $900 per year (or nine percent of tuition).

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

  • The sum of scholarships and other financial awards should not exceed cost for tuition and fees.
  • If a student qualifies for more than one scholarship or reduced tuition award, the award with the largest dollar value applies.
  • Scholarship or tuition reduction will be applied as a credit to the student's tuition account at the rate of one-third of the total per quarter and is available to full-time students only.
  • Loss of scholarship money may result when a student does not maintain the minimum cumulative G.P.A. required by the particular scholarship.
  • The deadline for verifying with Student Financial Services that the student qualifies for a scholarship for the academic year is the last day of final tests for the first quarter.
  • The scholarships and reduced tuition awards listed here apply only to students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences.

Note: Determining the amount of scholarships and awards at Loma Linda University is influenced by FAFSA data. State and federal grants, as well as other grants and subsidies, will be applied before Loma Linda University scholarships and discounts; therefore, some students may be eligible to receive only a portion of their scholarship awards.

Graduate students

Financial aid

Research and teaching assistantships are available at the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences on a competitive basis. Further information can be obtained by contacting the department at ebs@llu.edu. Qualified students are also encouraged to seek fellowships and grants from federal and private agencies with the help of their advisors.

In addition to Loma Linda University admission requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

Application procedure

  1. The application instructions, available on the Web at llu.edu/central/apply, allow students to apply online and begin an application, as indicated in the general University section.
  2. A personal interview is often desirable and is recommended by the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences. The interview should be arranged with the coordinator of either the Geology Program or the Biology Program.

Acceptance procedure

  1. When the program that the student wishes to enter has evaluated the applications and made its recommendation, the dean of the school in which the program is housed takes official action and notifies the applicant. The applicant must respond affirmatively before becoming eligible to register for programs within the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences
  2. As part of registration, accepted students will be asked to file with Student Health Service a medical history with evidence of certain immunizations.
  3. New students are required to pass a background check before they register for courses.

From master's to Ph.D. degree

A graduate student at this University may proceed first to a master's degree. If at the time of application the student wishes to qualify for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, this intention should be declared—even if the first objective is a master's degree.

If after admission to the master's degree program a student wishes to go on to the doctoral degree, an abbreviated application should be completed and submitted—along with appropriate supporting documents—to the school in which the program is housed. If  the master's degree is sought, the student will be expected to complete that degree before starting any doctoral activity for credit. A student who bypasses the master's degree may be permitted, on the recommendation of the guidance committee and with the consent of the dean, to transfer courses and research that have been completed in the appropriate field and are of equivalent quality and scope to their doctoral program.

Undergraduate programs

Admission requirements

In addition to Loma Linda University admission requirements, the applicant must also complete specific program prerequisites. High school and college subject requirements for each program are outlined in the respective programs. 

To be eligible for admission, applicants must have completed a minimum of 96 quarter units or 64 semester units at an accredited college or university. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all transfer courses unless otherwise specified in specific program requirements; C- grades are not acceptable for transfer. An overall college G.P.A. of at least 2.5 to 3.0 is expected, depending on the program to which the student applies.

Graduate degree requirements

Admission requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university is a prerequisite for admission to graduate programs in the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences. Transcripts of the applicant's scholastic record should show appropriate preparation, in grades and content, for the curriculum chosen. Since there is some variation in the pattern of undergraduate courses prescribed by different programs, the applicant should note the specific requirements of the chosen program. Deficiencies may be fulfilled while enrolled; and prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation.

Scholarship

Applicants are expected to present an undergraduate record with a grade point average of B (3.0) or better in the overall program and in the major field. Depending on program-specific criteria, some students with an overall grade point average between 2.5 and 3.0 may be admitted provisionally to graduate standing, provided the grades during the junior and senior years are superior or there is other evidence of capability for completing the program.

Graduate Record Examination

Scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for application for admission to many degree programs. New test scores are needed if it has been more than five years since the last test was taken. Applicants are advised to request information specific to their proposed program of study.

For complete information about the GRE, please visit their website at http://www.ets.org/gre/; or write to Educational Testing Service, 1947 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94701 (for the West); and P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541 (for the East). For GRE publications (including study materials), call 800/537-3160.

Chair

Suzanne E. Phillips

Primary faculty

Leonard R. Brand

Ronald L. Carter

Stephen G. Dunbar

Monte Fleming

William K. Hayes

George Jackson

Ana María Martínez Ardila

Kevin E. Nick

Torrey Nyborg

Suzanne E. Phillips

Secondary faculty

V. Leroy Leggitt

Earnie Schwab

Ryan Sinclair

Ubaldo Soto

Adjunct faculty

Gordon J. Atkins

Stanley M. Awramik

Roberto E. Biaggi

Douglas R. Britton

Benjamin Clausen

Raul Esperante

Christine Jackson

Matthew McLain

Ronald Nalin

Ariel Roth

Timothy G. Standish