Cal State Hayward Catalog 2004-2005

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Graduate Programs

Biological Science
 * Department Information
 * M.S. in Biological Science
 * Certificate in Biotechnology
 * Graduate Courses
 * Footnote
Department Information

Department of Biological Sciences
College of Science
Office: North Science 429
Phone: (510) 885-3471
 
Professor Emeritus: Richard E. Tullis
 
Professors: Christoph W. Baysdorfer, Stephen C. Benson, Beverly A. Dixon, Lynne O. Elkin, Donald A. Gailey, Christopher L. Kitting, Maria C. Nieto, Susan B. Opp, Richard A. Symmons (Chair)
 
Associate Professors: Michael S. Hedrick, Carol R. Lauzon
 
Assistant Professors: Caron Inouye, Laura Marschall, Erica L. Wildy
 
Lecturers: D. Gail DeLalla, Michele A. Graham, David C. Rosen
 
Graduate Coordinator: Susan B. Opp
 
 
Please consult the 2005-2006 online catalog for any changes that may occur.
M.S. in Biological Science

The Master of Science degree in Biological Science offers students the opportunity to obtain advanced academic and research experience in specialized areas of biological science.
 
Career Opportunities
Biological Science is a fast-changing, exciting field offering students numerous options for rewarding careers and future advancement. Examples of M.S. study areas in the department are environmental biology, general ecology, population biology, marine ecology, insect ecology, plant and animal ecology, physiological biology, cell and molecular biology, plant and animal physiology, microbiology, genetics, and immunology.
 
Faculty
The Biological Science faculty is comprised of 16 full-time professors at Cal State Hayward. The faculty are committed to excellence in teaching and research, and many of the faculty have federal, state, and private research grant support.
 
Related Programs
The Biotechnology Certificate Program within the department is a post-baccalaureate program emphasizing cellular, molecular, and immunological techniques. With careful planning, this certificate may be combined with the M.S. in Biological Science degree. Contact the Biological Sciences Department for application forms and deadlines for this program.
 
The M.S. degree in Marine Science is offered at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, located on Monterey Bay, for students from Cal State Hayward and seven other California State University consortium schools. Graduate students from Cal State Hayward may also take such courses at Moss Landing as are appropriate for their degree objectives. Contact the Biological Sciences Department for application forms and deadlines for this program. See Marine Sciences in the graduate section of this catalog.
 
Research Facilities
Department facilities for student research and study include invertebrate, vertebrate, and entomology museums; herbarium; greenhouse; insectary; histology, transmission and scanning electron microscope labs; radiation hot lab; microbiology facilities including those for anaerobic culture; cell culture facilities; animal rooms; molecular biology labs; and DNA sequencing facilities. Local field opportunities may be found at a wetlands field station at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the brackish and salt water marshes of the Hayward Regional Shoreline of San Francisco Bay, and a 35-acre oak-grassland preserve located immediately adjacent to the Hayward campus and contiguous with Garin Regional Park (one of the East Bay Regional Parks).
 
Research Support
Research space is available to all "Classified Graduate" students, usually in the major advisor's research lab. Limited funds for graduate research supplies are available each year from the department budget. Graduate research grants are available annually on a competitive basis through Academic Programs and Graduate Studies and can be used to purchase supplies or pay travel expenses for graduate research. In addition, research assistantships are available for some students through faculty research grants and the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program. Teaching assistantships may become available for a given quarter. Financial aid within the department is limited. Contact the Financial Aids Office regarding other assistance from the University Work-Study Program, loans, scholarships, etc.
 
Admission Requirements
 
1. The M.S. degree program in the Department of Biological Sciences is open to graduates of accredited institutions who have a four-year baccalaureate degree in any field of the biological sciences and who have achieved a GPA of at least 2.75 in all undergraduate work and an average of 3.00 in all biological science courses taken as an upper division student. Normally, all applicants should have completed undergraduate courses equivalent to those required of all biological science majors at Cal State Hayward.
 
2. In addition to filing the university application and fee, students must make application to the Department of Biological Sciences for admission to graduate standing in the M.S. degree program. Application forms are available through the department office or by accessing the Biology Department website. Students are encouraged to obtain information about research interests of the faculty and to contact faculty members who could potentially serve as thesis advisors. In addition to the GPA requirements for admission mentioned in #1, the department requires that the following be sent directly to the Department of Biological Sciences:
 
• departmental application
• GRE scores of the General Test
• three letters of reference
 
Applicants must have taken basic courses in biological and physical sciences and mathematics/statistics; areas omitted, if any, will be treated as course deficiencies and must be completed by the time of classification (see below). No action will be taken by the department until the application file is complete; this is the applicant's responsibility. Students with less than the minimum GPA (see above), with other undergraduate majors, or with course deficiencies may request special consideration from the departmental Graduate Committee.
 
3. All students admitted to the program will be admitted as "Conditionally Classified Graduate" students.
 
4. At the time of admission the student will be assigned an interim advisor who will aid the student during the first portion of his or her residence in the program.
 
5. Those students applying for admission to the program with the intent of obtaining a M.S. degree in Marine Sciences from work done at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories must gain admission into "Conditionally Classified Graduate" status as stated above. However, the classification procedures as stated below WILL NOT apply for these students; instead, once admitted to the program as "Conditionally Classified Graduate" students, they will follow MLML's classification procedures (see Marine Science chapter in the graduate section of this catalog).
 
6. Any student not admitted to the program because of incomplete applications, deficiencies, or failure to meet time deadlines is urged to enroll in the university as an "Unclassified Post-baccalaureate" student pending completion and consideration of the application for classification.
 
7. No more than 13 quarter units of courses applicable toward the master's degree completed before admission to the program may be counted toward the degree.
 
Note: Although not an admission requirement, the Writing Skills Test (WST) must be taken during the first quarter of admission to the program and must be passed to become a fully "Classified Graduate" student.
 
Degree Requirements
A "Conditionally Classified Graduate" student must become a fully "Classified Graduate" student in the program as set forth in 1, 2, 3, and 4 below and within the specified time limits or the "Conditional Classification" will expire and the student will be placed in "Unclassified Post-baccalaureate" status.
 
1. Establish a graduate advisory committee by the end of the second quarter after admission to the program. Two faculty members from the Department of Biological Sciences will serve as members of the committee. One faculty member from the department will normally be the major advisor in guiding the student in graduate training. One to two other members of the committee will be chosen in consultation with the major advisor. The committee will advise on and approve the student's final program including any work and research units counted toward the degree. This advisory committee will also administer the oral examination at the completion of the thesis.
 
2. Complete basic course deficiencies. If the student lacks basic courses in biological or physical sciences, or mathematics/statistics, these courses must be completed by the end of the fourth quarter following admission to the program. In addition, the student's advisory committee may also determine that there are other course deficiencies to be completed.
 
3. Research proposal. Students wishing to be a fully "Classified Graduate" must submit a formal research proposal to the departmental Graduate Committee for either Plan A or Plan B. It must be approved by the student's advisory committee (item 1 above) and submitted to the Graduate Coordinator by the first day of the quarter in which the student wants to begin taking thesis units. If the work is to be done in an off-campus location, a letter of agreement must be included that indicates a mutual understanding and responsibility between the off-campus supervisor, Cal State Hayward, and the student. The department office or Graduate Coordinator has examples of these proposals and their format.
 
4. University Writing Skills Requirement. The Writing Skills Graduation Test must be passed. (See Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Studies chapter at the beginning of the graduate section of this catalog.)
 
It is the responsibility of the student to establish a graduate advisory committee, take the qualifying examination, and complete course deficiencies within the time limits stated above.
 
Advanced to Candidacy
The student must have:
 
1. attained "Classified Graduate" standing
 
2. completed at least 12 quarter units of satisfactory work beyond the baccalaureate degree suitable for inclusion in an M.S. program in Biological Science as approved by the student's graduate advisory committee. At least 3 quarter units of graduate level coursework in residence at Cal State Hayward must be included. (Satisfactory work in a graduate program is that showing a GPA of 3.00 in all courses; no grade below "C" may be counted in this program.)
 
3. received from his or her advisory committee approval of either a Plan A or Plan B individual research program.
 
Curricular Requirements
The M.S. programs in biological science provide for the degree to be obtained under either Plan A (University Thesis) or Plan B (Departmental Thesis).
 
Plan A, University Thesis (45 units)
A total of 45 quarter units is required beyond the baccalaureate with a GPA of 3.0 or above and no grade lower than "C" in courses included in the program, and with specific requirements as follows:
 
1. University Thesis (9 units)
Complete copies of the University Thesis must be submitted, in accordance with the rules set forth by the Office of the Associate Vice President, Curriculum and Academic Programs and the Dean of Graduate Programs, to the chair of the candidate's advisory committee by the sixth week of the quarter at the end of which the degree is desired.
 
2. Graduate courses (14-36 units) in area of special concentration option or in areas related to it as approved by the student's advisory committee; included must be at least one graduate seminar in the area of special concentration. (May include a maximum of 4 units of Independent Study (BIOL 6900); in certain circumstances exceptions may be granted by the departmental Graduate Committee.)
 
3. Upper division courses (0-22 units) taken as a graduate student and approved by the advisory committee as appropriate to the student's objective.
 
4. An oral examination administered by the advisory committee covering the candidate's area of specialization and thesis research. This examination will be publicized and open to all faculty.
 
Plan B, Departmental Thesis (45 units)
A total of 45 units is required beyond the baccalaureate with a GPA of 3.0 or above and no grade lower than "C" in courses included in the program, and with specific requirements as follows:
 
1. A review paper satisfactory to the advisory committee based on intensive study and analysis of the scientific literature on a topic approved by the major professor, with or without supplementary field or laboratory work. Not more than 4 units of Departmental Thesis (BIOL 6909) for preparation of the paper may be included in the program approved by the advisory committee for the degree. (The final copy of the paper must be circulated among the members of the advisory committee at least two weeks prior to the oral examination.)
 
2. Graduate courses (19-41 units) in area of special concentration or in areas related to it as approved by the student's advisory committee; included must be at least one graduate seminar in the area of the concentration.
 
3. Upper division courses (0-22 units) taken as a graduate student and approved by the advisory committee as appropriate to the student's objective.
 
4. An oral examination administered by the advisory committee covering the candidate's area of the option and review paper. This examination will be publicized and open to all faculty.
 
 
Note: The following standards will apply to BIOL 6909 for use as a Plan B requirement:
 
Format: Typewritten and referenced in appropriate scientific fashion; a title page with the student's advisory committee's signatures must be included; specific format used is up to the discretion of the major advisor.
 
Binding: Bound in fiberboard or other satisfactory binders for permanent storage.
 
Records: The department will retain a copy of the Departmental Thesis in its files.
 
Technical: Typed on 16-pound white paper and with general "thesis" quality, i.e., no strike-overs, etc. Sufficient left-hand margins (1 1/2") should be left for binding.
 
Approval: Form and style--department; content--advisory committee.
 
Granting the Degree
Upon successful completion of the above requirements for the degree under Plan A (including completion of the University Thesis) or under Plan B (including completion of the Departmental Thesis), the department will recommend that the candidate be granted the degree.
 
Other Degree Requirements
In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the university requirements for graduation which are described in the Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Studies chapter at the beginning of the graduate section of this catalog. These requirements include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five-year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 GPA, and the University Writing Skills requirement.
Certificate in Biotechnology

This certificate program consists of 28 units and is designed to give recognition to students who complete a curriculum emphasizing cellular, molecular, and immunological techniques. This is an appropriate capstone for biology or chemistry students and is preparatory for careers in industrial and academic biological research, development, and production. The Biotechnology Certificate Program requires 28 units of advanced work. The laboratory courses, important to this program, emphasize a "hands-on" approach with close faculty supervision. In addition to experimental techniques, safety standards and quality control are also stressed. Courses are scheduled in a non-conflicting pattern so that a full-time student entering this program can complete the requirements in one academic year. There are over 300 biotechnology companies in the Bay Area with a growing demand for employees skilled in the technical subjects herein outlined. Seven faculty members from the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry share the responsibility for this program and play an active role in arranging employment interviews for students who successfully complete this certificate program.
 
Admission to the Program
The Certificate Program in Biotechnology is open to undergraduates and graduates of accredited institutions who have a degree major in any field of biological sciences or chemistry and who have achieved a GPA of at least 2.75 in the major and at least 3.0 in the prerequisite courses. Applicants failing to meet these criteria may petition the Biotechnology Committee for a waiver of these requirements.
 
Prerequisites
Applicants must have major in biology or chemistry, and have completed the courses listed below or their equivalents. Participants in this program will be selected by the Biotechnology Committee of the Department of Biological Sciences.
 
BIOL 1401 Molecular and Cellular Biology, or equivalent (taken within last 3 years)
 
BIOL 3121 Principles of Genetics or equivalent (taken within last 3 years) (Note: BIOL 3120 has been discontinued.)
 
BIOL 3122 Principles of Developmental Genetic Analysis or equivalent (taken within last 3 years)
 
BIOL 3405 Microbiology or equivalent
CHEM 4411 General Biochemistry or equivalent
 
Continued Participation in the Program
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program for continued participation and pass a comprehensive examination upon completion of the program.
 
Students who have a baccalaureate degree and wish to combine the Biotechnology Certificate with an M.S. in Biological Science should be aware that only 13 units earned prior to admission to the Master's Program may be applied to a graduate degree. Students wishing to pursue the M.S. degree in Biological Science must also complete the application process to be considered for the M.S. degree.
 
Curricular Requirements
 
Required Courses (28 units)
BIOL 4450 Cell Culture Techniques (4)
BIOL 4480 DNA Sequencing and Sequence Analysis (3)
BIOL 6140 Recombinant DNA Techniques (4)
BIOL 6146 PCR Technology (3)
BIOL 6151, 6152 Cell and Molecular Biology I, II (5, 5)
CHEM 6430 Protein Chemistry Techniques (4)
Graduate Courses

Biology Courses
The course prefix for the following courses is BIOL.
 
6120  
 
Environmental Experimental Analysis (4)
Advanced applications of graphic modeling, experimental design, direct and remote monitoring, and modern statistical analyses of ecological/physiological experiments. Prerequisites: graduate standing in biology or consent of instructor. Two hrs. lect., 1 hr. disc., 3 hrs. lab/field.
 
6140  
 
Recombinant DNA Techniques (4)
Recombinant DNA methodology and its analytical and industrial applications. Laboratory studies include nucleic acid isolation, vector characterization, restriction endonuclease reactions, recombinant DNA construction, transformation, and "blotting" procedures. Prerequisites: BIOL 3405 or equivalent, biochemistry, and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with CHEM 6140. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab.
 
6146  
 
PCR Technology (3)
Laboratory course covering theory and applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Introductory experiments examining the role of PCR reagents and the variability of reaction parameters, including computer assisted primer design. Advanced experiments investigating the utility of PCR in such applications as nucleic acid probe synthesis, amplification of cloned and genomic DNA, library screening, RAPD analysis, RNA PCR, and forensics. Prerequisites: BIOL 6140, 6151, and consent of instructor. One hr. lect., 6 hours lab.
 
6151,  
6152
  
 
Cell and Molecular Biology I, II (5, 5)
The cellular and molecular biology of eucaryote cells emphasizing membrane structure and function, structure of genetic material, control of gene expression, and protein synthesis, cell division and differentiation. Prerequisites: BIOL 4455 or equivalent, and at least one quarter of biochemistry.
 
6160  
 
Community and Ecosystem Ecology (4)
Structure, dynamics and distributional aspects of ecological communities and energy flow relations in whole ecosystems. Lectures and intensive field work in selected communities, with emphasis on those of central California. Prerequisite: BIOL 3110 or equivalent. Recommended: advanced taxonomic courses in zoology. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. field (or lab).
 
6170  
 
Population Ecology (4)
Factors affecting reproduction, age composition, turnover, density and dispersion, and their fluctuations in time among populations of animals and plants, with brief comparisons from studies of plants. Prerequisite: BIOL 3110 or equivalent. Genetics, statistics and advanced zoology and/or botany courses recommended. Three hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab. and/or field trips.
 
6340  
 
Environmental Microbiology (4)
Key positions that microorganisms occupy in nature and their effects on global ecosystems; includes bioremediation, disease transmission/public health, biogeochemical cycling, plant-animal-insect-microbe interactions. Required project, designed, implemented and analyzed by student. Prerequisite: BIOL 3405. Not open to students with credit for BIOL 4340.
 
6350  
 
Conservation Biology (4)
Principles and theories of conservation biology, including biodiversity, extinction, habitat fragmentation, captive-breeding programs, restoration ecology, role of humans in western U.S. Graduate project required. Not open to students with credit for BIOL 4350. Prerequisites: BIOL 1401, 1402, 1403; BIOL 3110 or equivalents. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab.
 
6510  
 
Physiological Animal Ecology (4)
The adaptation of an organism to its environment: osmoregulation, and water balance, oxygen intake in different habitats, metabolism and the environment, environmental adaptation of various sense organs, special sensory modalities, cyclic reproductive physiology and its adaptive significance, physiological stress and its role in population control, and thermal physiology and ecology. Prerequisites: BIOL 3110, 3150, 4570, 4575, 4580. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab., field trips.
 
6511  
 
Applied Neurobiology (2)
Basic principles of neurobiology demonstrated using laboratory experiments that include intracellular and extracellular nerve recording, membrane potentials, action potentials, sensory and motor neural processing, nerve tracing, and histology. Required scientific paper based upon an independent research project. Not open to students with credit for BIOL 4511. Prerequisite: BIOL 4510 or consent of instructor. Six hrs. lab.
 
6512  
 
Applied Neurobiology (4)
Basic principles of neurobiology demonstrated using laboratory experiments that include intracellular and extracellular nerve recording, membrane potentials, action potentials, sensory and motor neural processing, nerve tracing, and histology. Required scientific paper based upon an independent research project. Prerequisite: BIOL 4510 or consent of instructor. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab.
 
6520  
 
Mammalian Physiology Laboratory (3)
Advanced treatment of regulatory mechanisms in mammalian organ systems. Laboratory techniques of anesthesia, surgery, instrumentation and data analysis. Emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal physiology. Terminal project required. Not open to students with credit for BIOL 4520. Prerequisites: BIOL 3150 or equivalent. One hr. lect., 6 hrs. lab.
 
6530  
 
Ecological Methods (4)
Methods of design and analysis of ecological studies, including sampling techniques, field and laboratory measurements, and computer-aided data analysis including introductory modeling. Required ecological field project, designed, implemented and analyzed by student. Prerequisites: BIOL 1401, 1402, 1403 or equivalents; BIOL 3110, and graduate standing. Recommended: statistics course. Three hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab/field.
 
6610  
 
Transmission Electron Microscopy (2)
Theoretical principles of tissue preparation and function of electron lenses. Special techniques such as negative staining, freeze fracture, cryomicrotomy, autoradiography and immunochemistry will be discussed. Techniques of quantitative data analysis and experimental design. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor.
 
6611  
 
Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory (2)
Applied techniques of transmission electron microscopy. Students will learn to operate the electron microscope and perform research on biological structures. Prerequisites: BIOL 6610 and permission of instructor. A miscellaneous course fee will be charged for materials. Please consult the quarterly Class Schedule for the current fee. Six hrs lab.
 
6613  
 
Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)
Theoretical and practical applications of scanning electron microscopy emphasizing techniques used in biology and geology. Use of energy-loss spectroscopy, back scattering, secondary electrons, and aujer electrons. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. A miscellaneous course fee will be charged for materials. Consult the quarterly Class Schedule for the current fee. Two hrs. lect./demonstration, 3 hrs. lab.
 
6801  
 
Graduate Seminar-Ecology (3)
A seminar in ecology, with a different theme or subject area to be chosen each year. Course based on papers presented by students enrolled. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: graduate standing in biology or consent of instructor.
 
6811  
 
Graduate Seminar-Physiology (3)
A seminar course dependent upon papers presented by students enrolled. The specific subject area of physiology will be chosen each year. Prerequisite: graduate standing in biology or consent of instructor. May be repeated once for additional credit.
 
6821  
 
Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Biology (3)
A seminar course involving presentation and discussion of current research literature in cell and molecular biology. The specific subject matter will be at the discretion of the instructor. Prerequisite: graduate standing in biology or consent of instructor. May be repeated once for additional credit.
 
6831  
 
Graduate Seminar in Microbiology (3)
A seminar course based on papers presented by students enrolled. A different subject area in microbiology will be chosen each quarter of offering. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor.
 
6898  
 
Cooperative Education (1-4)
Supervised work experience in which student completes academic assignments integrated with off-campus paid or volunteer activities. May be repeated for up to 8 units, 4 units of which are applicable to a biology graduate degree. Prerequisites: at least 3.0 GPA; departmental approval of activity. (A)
 
6900  
 
Independent Study (1-4)
 
6909  
 
Departmental Thesis (1-4)
Development and writing of a research paper for submission to the department which specifies its format. Supervision by a departmental committee, at least one of whom must be a Cal State Hayward faculty member. Oral defense normally required. CR/NC grading only. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
 
6910  
 
University Thesis (1-9)
Development and writing of a formal research paper for submission to the university in the specified bound format. Supervision by a departmental committee, at least one of whom must be a Cal State Hayward faculty member. Oral defense normally required. CR/NC grading only. Prerequisite: graduate standing. Maximum of 9 units per student. (See also "University Thesis Writing Guide," available in WA 859.)
 
6999  
 
Issues in Biological Science (2-4)
Readings, discussion, and research on contemporary and/or significant issues in biological science. May be repeated for credit when content varies.
 
 
Marine Science Courses
See the Marine Science chapter for descriptions of the following courses. (The course prefix for the following courses is MSC.)
 
Offered at the Moss Landing Marine LaboratoriesFootnote HAYCAT-FOOTDIG
 
6202  
 
Oceanographic Instrumentation (6)
6204  
 
Sampling and Experimental Design (6)
6206  
 
Molecular Biological Techniques (6)
6208  
 
Scientific Methods (6)
6211  
 
Ecology of Marine Birds and Mammals (6)
6212  
 
Advanced Topics in Marine Vertebrates (6)
6221  
 
Advanced Topics in Marine Invertebrates (6)
6231  
 
Biology of Seaweeds (6)
6233  
 
Advanced Topics in Marine Ecology (1.5-6)
6234  
 
Advanced Biological Oceanography (6)
6271  
 
Population Biology (4.5)
6272  
 
Subtidal Ecology (6)
6273  
 
Marine Environmental Studies of the Gulf of California (6)
6274  
 
Advanced Topics in Oceanography (1.5-6)
6280  
 
Scientific Writing (3)
6285  
 
Graduate Seminar in Marine Science (3)
6900  
 
Independent Study (1.5-6)
6910  
 
University Thesis (1.5-6)
Footnote

Footnote HAYCAT-FOOTDIG  Courses listed under Marine Science at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories are offered on a semester basis in the Fall and Spring. Semester units have been converted to quarter units.
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Last Updated: September 8, 2008