Biology degrees Catalog
Back(MS, PhD)
STEPHEN G. DUNBAR, Program Coordinator
FACULTY
Gordon J. Atkins
Leonard R. Brand
H. Paul Buchheim
Ronald L. Carter
Robert A. Cushman
Stephen G. Dunbar
Raul Esperante
Hansel M. Fletcher
Robert Ford
H. Thomas Goodwin
William K. Hayes
David A. Hessinger
W. William Hughes
Michael A. Kirby
Kevin E. Nick
Junichi Ryu
John F. Stout
The Biology Program leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees is offered by the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences in the School of Science and Technology. These curricula provide a broad and unified approach to the life sciences, and also specialization—as evidenced by the conduct of significant, original research and in the selection of courses related to the area of research interest. Study in various areas, from molecular biology to natural history, is available to the student seeking preparation for teaching or for research in modern biology. Some areas of specialization are: animal behavior, animal physiology, molecular systematics, ecological physiology, behavioral ecology, conservation biology, marine biology, and paleontology.
Objectives
The Biology Program strives to:
- Instill in students the values of honesty, scientific integrity, careful research, and critical, independent thinking.
- Provide the tools and intellectual environment in which biologists can attain their highest potential in scholarship, research, and teaching.
- Challenge graduate students to consider the relationships among science, faith, and societal responsibility.
Student financial aid
Research and teaching assistantships are available from the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences on a competitive basis. Further information can be obtained from the chair of the department. Qualified students are also encouraged to seek fellowships from federal and private agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health.
General requirements
For additional information about requirements and practices to which all graduate students are subject, the student should consult Section II of this CATALOG, and general information pertinent to the School of Science and Technology.
BIOLOGY - MS
Admission
Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the School of Science and Technology. Expected undergraduate preparation includes a bachelor’s degree with a biology major or equivalent from an accredited college or university, statistics, precalculus (required), calculus (recommended), one year of general physics, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, and biochemistry (recommended). Students pursuing the MS degree are urged to select a research project with a primary faculty member from the department.
CURRICULUM
The following constitutes the curriculum for the Master of Science degree in biology. A minimum of 48 quarter units of academic credit is required. Of the 48 units, 30 must be in biology and cognate science subjects (as approved by the guidance committee), with 40 at or above the 500 level, (exclusive of research), including:
BIOL 545 Genetics and Speciation (4)
BIOL 558 Philosophy of Science and Origins (4)
BIOL 607 Seminar in Biology (1 unit each quarter in residence) (3+)
BIOL 616 Research and Experimental Design (2)
BIOL 617 Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship (2)
One course from each of the following areas:
BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Cell or molecular biology
Physiology
Advanced genetics
Microbiology
Biochemistry
ECOLOGY
Marine biology
Biogeography
Behavioral ecology
Biodiversity and conservation
Techniques in vertebrate ecology
Plant ecology
ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
Behavioral ecology
Marine invertebrates
Mammalogy
Advances in sociobiology
Paleontology
Remaining units to complete a total of 48 quarter units must include:
Additional courses required by the student’s guidance committee
Research, 4-12 units
Thesis, 2 units, including final oral examination and defense
Thesis research, 4 units minimum; will be graded each quarter and can be repeated for additional credit
Religion, 3 units
Seminar attendance requirements
Attendance at all departmental seminars is required of students while in residence at Loma Linda University.
Research proposal
A written research proposal and an oral defense of the student’s proposed research should be completed by the end of the third quarter of study. Questions will typically focus on the student’s research area, but may expand to other areas, as appropriate.
Advancement to candidacy
Students may apply for advancement to candidacy after:
- completing all deficiencies and prerequisites,
- selecting a research committee,
- completing an approved written research proposal,
- passing the oral defense of the research proposal,
- being recommended by the program faculty (should be completed by the end of the third quarter of study),
- completing and submitting Form C.
Thesis
The written thesis must demonstrate the completion of significant, original research and must be written in publishable paper format.
Defense of thesis
An oral presentation and defense of the thesis, including final oral examination on the student's field of study, are required.
BIOLOGY - PhD
Admission
The successful applicant must meet the general admission requirements of the School of Science and Technology. Undergraduate preparation should include a bachelor’s degree in biology (MS recommended), statistics, precalculus (required), calculus (recommended), one year of general physics, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, and biochemistry (recommended).
CURRICULUM
The following constitutes the curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in biology.
A minimum of 72 quarter units of academic credit for courses, seminars, and research beyond the master’s degree is required, i.e., a minimum of 120 units beyond the baccalaureate degree, including the following required courses:
BIOL 545 Genetics and Speciation (4)
BIOL 558 Philosophy of Science and Origins (4)
BIOL 607 Seminar in Biology (1 unit each quarter in residence) (6+)
BIOL 616 Research and Experimental Design (2)
BIOL 617 Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship (2)
BIOL 545 Genetics and Speciation (4)
BIOL 558 Philosophy of Science and Origins (4)
BIOL 607 Seminar in Biology (1 unit each quarter in residence) (6+)
BIOL 616 Research and Experimental Design (2)
BIOL 617 Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship (2)
Two courses from each of the following areas:
BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Cell or molecular biology
Physiology
Advanced genetics
Microbiology
Biochemistry
ECOLOGY
Marine biology
Biogeography
Behavioral ecology
Biodiversity and conservation
Techniques in vertebrate ecology
Plant ecology
ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
Behavioral ecology
Marine invertebrates
Mammalogy
Advances in sociobiology
Paleontology
The required 72+ units must also include selections from the following:
Additional courses required by the student’s committee:
Research, 10-25 units
Dissertation, 2 units
Dissertation research, 4 units minimum; will be graded each quarter and can be repeated for additional credit
Religion, 3-unit course beyond master’s degree level, 9 units
Graduate-level statistics
Seminar attendance requirements
Attendance at all departmental seminars is required of students while in residence at Loma Linda University.
Recommended
Teaching is recommended during at least one quarter. This experience may be obtained in the laboratory or it may include presenting several lectures for a course.
Research proposal
A written research proposal and an oral defense of the proposed research should be completed by the end of the third quarter of study. Questions will typically focus on the student’s research area but may expand to other areas, as appropriate.
Comprehensive examinations
An oral and a written comprehensive examination are given near completion of the formal course work. The purpose is to measure the student’s knowledge of the various fields of biology, philosophy of science, and preparation for research. These examinations should be completed by the beginning of the third year of study.
Advancement to candidacy
The student may apply for advancement to doctoral candidacy after:
- completing all deficiencies and prerequisites,
- passing the comprehensive examinations,
- selecting a research committee,
- completing an approved written research proposal,
- passing the oral defense of the research proposal, and
- being recommended by the department faculty.
Dissertation
The written dissertation must demonstrate the completion of significant, original research and must be written in publishable paper format.
Defense of dissertation
An oral dissertation presentation and defense are required.
ROSARIO BEACH SUMMER COURSES
In cooperation with the Walla Walla College Marine Station in Anacortes, Washington, facilities are available for marine courses and research by students of this program. Some of the available courses are listed below.
BIOL 455 Comparative Physiology (5)
BIOL 458 Marine Biology (5)
BIOL 459 Marine Invertebrates (5)
BIOL 460 Marine Ecology (5)
BIOL 462 Ichthyology (5)
BIOL 463 Marine Botany (5)
BIOL 508 Physiology of Algae (5)
BIOL 516 Behavior of Marine Organisms (5)
BIOL 455 Comparative Physiology (5)
BIOL 458 Marine Biology (5)
BIOL 459 Marine Invertebrates (5)
BIOL 460 Marine Ecology (5)
BIOL 462 Ichthyology (5)
BIOL 463 Marine Botany (5)
BIOL 508 Physiology of Algae (5)
BIOL 516 Behavior of Marine Organisms (5)