Metabolic Biology - MS Track

Program Outline

1st Year Students

Course Requirements. First semester courses will be chosen at the New Student Orientation. For the second semester, students will work with the Head Graduate Advisor to select courses.

Lab Rotations.Research represents the major focus of graduate education. Many first year activities are directed toward introducing new students to various research opportunities to enable them to identify their research interests and Primary Instructor (PI). Research rotations are particularly important in this regard. Students, in consultation with the Head Graduate Advisor, choose their rotations depending on availability of faculty research space and resources.The approximate rotation schedule is:

First Rotation: Mid-September through Mid-November

Second Rotation: Mid-November through Mid-February

Following each rotation, students submit a written report and make a short oral presentation in NST 211.

Wednesday Seminar Series. All students are required to attend the Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology Wednesday Seminar Series.

2nd Year Students

Thesis Committee Meetings. Once the student has identified and been accepted to a particular lab, the time comes for forming the Thesis Committee, which monitors student’s research progress and makes recommendations for experimental design of the research project.

Advancement to Candidacy. In Spring of the second year, following the deadline, students submit an Application for Candidacy.

Presenting in Graduate Research Colloquium (NST 292). Prior to their Master's Thesis Defense, students present their project at NST 292.

Master's Thesis Defense. After having presented at NST 292, students have their final meeting with the Guidance Committee where they defend their thesis.

Filing your Master's Thesis. Following The Guidelines for Submitting a Master’s Thesis is essential for successful completion of a M.S. degree. Thesis must be filed no later than the deadline stated by the Graduate Division.

Transferring to a Ph.D. track. During Spring semester of second year, Guidance Committee can make a recommendation for a student to change tracks from Master's to Ph.D. If the recommendation is approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee, the student begins following the Ph.D. Program Outline starting with an Oral Qualifying Examination.

Career and Job Information. UCB excellent career counseling for those who are beginning to think about what they will be doing once the M.S. is earned. We encourage all our students to think about career options and to check out the Career Center’s Graduate Student Services as part of their graduate studies experience and preparation for post-graduate life.