Science Division

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

The Master’s Program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

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The purpose of the M.A. program in EEB is to allow students to complete graduate-level research that is more directed and shorter-term than that done by doctoral students. Students in the M.A. program share some coursework requirements with Ph.D. students but do not take the Comprehensive or Qualifying exams. A Master’s thesis is required which typically leads to one publication in a peer-reviewed journal. 

Program Learning Outcomes

PLO 1. Demonstrate understanding of fundamental concepts, mastery of relevant experimental and theoretical techniques and empirical knowledge in their specific field. 

PLO 2. Identify a novel research project/problem, develop a plan to execute/solve it and complete the project with the goal of adding new knowledge to their field. 

PLO 3. Communicate fundamental knowledge of their field of research, as well as details of their own research in both written and oral form to expert and non-expert audiences.

Required Coursework

M.A. students must take BIOE 200A (Scientific Skills) & BIOE 200B (Organismal Biology) in the fall quarter of the first year, BIOE 200C (EcoEvo Bio) & 200D (Foundationa Papers) in the winter quarter of the first year, and three elective 200-level classes within their first two years. BIOE 281, 294, and 297 must be taken every quarter the student is in residence.  All students must be enrolled in at least 15 units per quarter, unless on approved Part-Time status.

The Thesis

Although the topic and nature (e.g. theory, field work) of the thesis is the domain of the student and the thesis reading committee, all theses must have a general introduction and summarization that gives it coherence as a report on the candidate’s research.

Normative Time

The target time for the Master’s program is two years. Students who fail to complete their theses within this time must request an extension from EEB-GAC. A written request signed by the student and advisor detailing the timetable to finish must accompany the Progress Report in the second year.  Multiple extensions are not automatic. 

The Master Thesis Project

The Thesis Proposal

Before beginning work on the master thesis project proposal, students are to complete a M.A. Thesis Reading Committee Nomination form (see Forms & Print Materials) and turn it in to the EEB Graduate Program Coordinator, no later than the end of the spring quarter of the first year. Students are to schedule their Thesis Proposal meetings with the EEB Graduate Program Coordinator no later than the fall quarter of the second year. Once the M.A. Thesis Reading Committee approves the thesis project proposal, students may begin work on the thesis manuscript.

The Thesis

The master thesis manuscript must have a general introduction and summarization that gives it coherence as a report on the candidate’s research. The master thesis manuscript is submitted to the students’ masters reading committee, defended in a closed oral examination, and presented in a departmental seminar by the end of the second year.

Masters students must submit their Application for the M.A. Degree form (see Forms & Print Materials) to the EEB Graduate Program Coordinator by the beginning of the quarter that they wish to graduate.

Students must submit their master thesis manuscript to their M.A. Thesis Reading Committee at least 30 days before the closed defense meeting (scheduled with the EEB Graduate Program Coordinator). It is recommended that students negotiate expectations with their committee for when comments on the thesis will be provided by at that time. Ideally, major concerns about the work should be shared with the student and advisor before the defense meeting, so that the defense is not the first time the student hears about problems that will require major revision. All members of the student’s M.A. Thesis Reading Committee should be in attendance at the closed defense meeting.  The external member of the committee may participate remotely, if their attendance would constitute financial or other hardship.

There are no formal rules governing the closed thesis defense.  However, to pass the defense it is required that all members agree that the thesis as written meets the standards of the University and Department.  If the Committee determines that the thesis meets its standards, at that time the Committee, with the exception of the Chair, may sign the title page of the student’s Masters thesis. If the committee determines that the thesis does not meet the standards, within one week the committee must produce a written document that lists the deficiencies and indicates a timeline for correcting the deficiencies.  If the thesis ultimately does not gain the committee’s approval the student will be dismissed from the program.  All dismissals will be reviewed by EEB-GAC. 

Finally, a formal, public research seminar will be presented by the student. This seminar should be scheduled with the EEB Graduate Program Coordinator for the regular time slot when possible, and may not be scheduled for less than a week after the closed defense meeting. It is important to leave enough time before the public seminar for the student to make changes to the thesis manuscript that are requested by the committee.

The M.A. Thesis Reading Committee Chair may sign the title sheet only after the research has been presented in a public seminar.

Publication

There is no requirement for publication but it is highly recommended that at least one thesis chapter be submitted as a paper to a refereed journal for publication by the time students defend their thesis projects.

Contiguous BS/MA Path

The Contiguous Bachelor’s/Master’s Path in EEB provides highly motivated undergraduate majors the opportunity to earn separate Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in as little as five years. This path provides the additional level of preparation and experience that students need to pursue careers in industry, government, or to increase their competitiveness for top PhD programs.

Are you a UCSC undergraduate doing undergraduate thesis research with an EEB advisor or co-advisor?

Ask your thesis advisor if they would recommend you to this program, and if they agree to continue serving as your Master’s advisor or co-advisor.

Students applying to this program will either be completing an EEB degree (i.e. Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology or Plant Science) or completing an undergraduate degree in a related field and have completed and done well in the EEB coursework relevant to their proposed research.

Applications to this degree program are completed in a two-step process.

In spring of the undergraduates’ junior year, they will complete the EEB department application form as described in the checklist below. If approved for the Fifth-Year Contiguous Bachelor’s/Master’s Path, students will go through the regular EEB Master’s Program application process in fall of their senior year. The criteria for admission to the EEB 4+1 Program will be the same as for all EEB Master’s Program applicants. Significant progress on the thesis research project combined with an excellent academic track record will indicate the preparedness of the student to undertake this accelerated Masters program.

 Please contact Judy Straub; jstraub@ucsc.edu if you have questions about this path or process. 

 Checklist for Bachelor’s/Masters students

1. Read the program information on the Five-Year Contiguous Bachelor’s/Master’s Path website, including requirements and deadline
2. By the middle of your junior year find a faculty reserach advisor. This must include at least one faculty from EEB as either your advisor or co-advisor who will assist you with your research project. Note that your research may develop either into an undergraduate senior thesis project or a Master’s research project

3. By spring of the junior year, complete your EEB department application for consideration to apply to the contiguous BS/MA program. This must include:

  1. a letter from the EEB faculty who agrees to be your Master’s advisor or co-advisor
  2. a brief description of your planned research
  3. a curricular plan that has been reviewed by your proposed EEB faculty advisor and any other proposed faculty co-advisors, eebadvising (or the appropriate advising for your undergraduate major at UCSC) and the EEB Graduate Program Coordinator to ensure you can complete all coursework required for both degrees in five years


4. In Fall quarter of your senior year, apply for admission through the UCSC Graduate Division portal to the Five-Year Contiguous Master’s Path only if you and your advisor consider that the research project has the potential to develop into a Master’s research thesis (due date Dec. 10).

  1. The statement of purpose must include proposed research plan for your Master’s thesis
  2. Additional materials will include a letter of recommendation from a ladder rank EEB faculty advisor or co-advisor stating that they approve this plan and agree to serve as your advisor or co-advisor for your Master’s research and thesis.

5. By end of senior year, complete all requirements for your Bachelor’s degree from UCSC and submit an undergraduate thesis, which includes a section on your proposed research extension (for the Master’s thesis), following the same guidelines as the existing Two-Year Master’s Program. This must be read and approved by your EEB ladder rank faculty advisor or co-advisor as well as any other co-advisors and Master’s committee members. Recommendation: enroll in a graduate level class during Winter or Spring quarter of your fourth year and also attend EEB graduate seminars (BIOE 294).

6. During the fifth (Masters) year, complete the graduate course and seminar requirements AND your Master’s thesis.

  1. Courses: Fall quarter = BIOE200A & BIOE200B & a graduate seminar (BIOE 215 or other 200-level class); Winter quarter = BIOE200C, BIOE 200D & a stats class, Spring quarter = final 200-level course (note 7 200-level courses in total).
  2. Establish a Masters thesis committee consisting of your research advisor (chair) plus two other ladder rank faculty
  3. Spring: By the beginning of April of your fifth year (at the latest), provide your advisor with a complete draft of your thesis. This allows time for you and your advisor to revise the thesis prior to giving it to the other thesis committee members. 
  4. Masters Thesis/ Masters Thesis Defense
    1. By the beginning of April of your fifth year (at the latest), provide your advisor with a complete draft of your thesis. This allows time for you and your advisor to revise the thesis prior to giving it to the other thesis committee members.
    2. Schedule your defense and public seminar with your Master’s thesis committee members through the departmental Graduate Coordinator.
    3. By the beginning of May (at the latest), email the thesis to your other thesis committee members.
    4. Submit the final version of your Master’s thesis and complete your final appointment with the Graduate Division.

If a student completes their UCSC Bachelor’s degree and is admitted to the Five-Year Contiguous Bachelor’s/Master’s Path, but does not successfully complete all requirements expected for this program, then they would revert to the existing Two-Year Master’s Program requirements. They must remain in good standing in the program and follow all existing guidelines of the Two-Year Master’s Program. The baseline assumption is that students admitted to the Five-Year Contiguous Bachelor’s/Master’s Path will be self-funded throughout their enrollment in the Master’s Program.

Last modified: Jun 20, 2025