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Historically, the Master of Science degree signifies that the recipient has completed an integrated course of study and has taken the opportunity to become involved in research activities.
General
The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 30 units of graduate work, which includes required foundational coursework, additional coursework as determined on an individualized basis by the student's Master's Committee, and research units. Typically, students are able to attain their Master's degree in two years, barring exceptional circumstances.
Upon completion of the student's graduate units and with approval from the student's Master's Committee, the student will choose one of three options as the final requirement for the M.S. degree. The three options are:
- a master's thesis,
- a "1st author" research publication ready for submission to a peer reviewed journal,
- a comprehensive oral examination administered by the student's Master's Committee.
Coursework
Part of the student's course requirements consist of the following courses, in which the student must attain a "B" letter grade or better:
- PSIO 503 - Cellular and Molecular Physiology
(5 units, Fall Semester)
- PSIO 603 - Systems Physiology
(8 units, Spring semester)
- PS 696c - Student Forum
(1 unit, taken each academic semester until graduation)
- Student Forum meets every two weeks. It is an opportunity for graduate students to give talks and receive peer evaluation from Physiology students and faculty to improve their public speaking skills.
Students will select additional courses in consultation with their Master's Committee, with a goal of developing a study plan that is individually tailored to the student's particular interests and that will satisfy Graduate College requirements.
Research Units
Participation in research, under the supervision and guidance of a faculty member, allows students to learn valuable skills, to gain experience in the research "process", and to organize and present research results in both written and oral formats.
All Master's Students in the Master's program are expected to participate in research and are encouraged to take advantage of the excellent opportunities to experience the research process in the variety of different labs associated with the Physiological Sciences program.
Master's Committee
By the beginning of the student's second semester in the program, the student will select a formal Master's Committee. This Committee will consist of a major advisor and two additional members from the faculty of the Physiological Sciences program.
The responsibilities of the Master's Committee will be to help the student develop a specialized study plan catering to the student's particular interests, select additional courses based upon this study plan, monitor the student's academic progress, and advise the student in the final degree requirement.
The Committee should meet for the first time near the beginning of the student's second semester to establish and/or review the student's curriculum plan. The Master's Committee should then meet once per semester thereafter. The Committee will meet during the student's final semester to help the student choose how they will meet their final requirement for completion of the degree, and will preside over the student's thesis or oral exam.
Sample Graduate Career
This table represents a sample career of a generic Master's student (with a Research assistantship), and is subject to change depending on the student's Financial Aid package and the study plan developed by the student and their Master's Committee.
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1st Year
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Fall:
PSIO 503 - Cellular & Molecular Physiology (5 units)
PS 696c - Student Forum (1 unit)
Research units
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Spring:
PSIO 603 - Systems Physiology (8 units)
PS 696c - Student Forum (1 unit)
Research units
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2nd Year
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Fall:
Form Master's Committee
PS 696c - Student Forum (1 unit)
Additional Courses
Research units
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Spring:
PS 696c - Student Forum (1 unit)
Additional Courses
Research units
Final degree requirement
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Many Master's students are required to assume roles as teaching or research assistants to maintain their financial aid, in addition to satisfying the coursework required for a Master's degree.
 Back to Degree Requirements
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