The GABG degree requirements have been revised effective Fall 2025. Below provides the requirements for current students (prior to Fall 2025) and incoming students (beginning Fall 2025 and after). Timeline of degree requirement changes can be found here
Requirements for Plan I M.S. in Animal Biology
Requirements for Plan I M.S. current students enrolled prior to Fall 2025
1. A minimum of 30 units of course work (100 and 200 level).
Of that 30 units:
- At least 6 units should be graded graduate level (>200) course work.
- At minimum of 2 units should be Animal Biology 290, Graduate Research Seminar. ABG 298 fulfills one of the 290 seminar requirements.
- A minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 units should be Animal Biology 299, graduate research.
- A maximum of 6 units of ABG 290C, Research Conference. 1 unit per quarter should be taken.
2. Completion of an original research project written as a MS thesis signed by major professor and at least two additional thesis committee members. Ideally, the original data will be published as a scientific paper.
Requirements for Plan I M.S. Effective Fall 2025
1. A minimum of 30 units of course work (100 and 200 level).
Course deficiencies to be completed, as specified upon admission (if applicable)
- NPB 101 or ANS 100 Systemic Physiology or Animal Physiology 5 units
- BIS 101 Genes & Gene Expression 4 units
- STA 100 Applied Statistics 4 units
Of that 30 units:
- At least 6 units should be graded graduate level (>200) course work.
- At minimum of 2 units should be Animal Biology 290, Graduate Research Seminar. ABG 298 fulfills one of the 290 seminar requirements.
- A minimum of 6 and maximum of 18 units should be Animal Biology 299, graduate research.
- A maximum of 6 units of ABG 290C, Research Conference. 1 unit per quarter should be taken.
2. Completion of an original research project written as a MS thesis signed by major professor and at least two additional thesis committee members. Ideally, the original data will be published as a scientific paper.
Requirements for Plan II M.S. in Animal Biology
Plan II is not offered to incoming graduate students.
1. A minimum of 36 units of course work (100 and 200 level). Of that 30 units:
- At least 18 units should be graded graduate level (>200) course work
- A minimum of 9 additional units of graded course work (100 or 200 level)
- A minimum of 6 units should be Animal Biology 299, Graduate Research Units (per University regulations a maximum of 9 units will be counted toward the 36 unit requirement)
- A minimum of 2 units should be Animal Biology 290, Graduate Research Seminar
2. A paper written in scientific format and signed off by major professor.
3. Pass an oral exam covering the breadth of Animal Biology and an area of depth.