Master's Degree Requirements

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Systems Engineering Plan I - Thesis Option

MS Plan I requires a minimum of 30 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of:

  1. Core courses (3 units)
    • EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
    • EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
  2. Elective Course (27 units)
    • 17 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
      1. 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
      2. Remaining 5 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
    • Remaining units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
      1. A minimum of 6 units of EBS 290C, 299 Research
      2. For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course in Biological/Life Sciences should be included.
      3. Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165
  3. Written thesis based on research and public presentation (exit seminar). Thesis should be signed by three thesis committee members.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biological Systems Engineering Plan II - Comprehensive Exam Option

MS Plan II requires a minimum of 36 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of:

  1. Core courses (3 units)
    • EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
    • EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
  2. Elective Course (33 units):
    • 24 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
      1. 18 of which must be graduate units
        • 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
        • Remaining 6 units can be graduate units within or outside of engineering
      2. Remaining 6 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
    • Remaining 9 units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
      1. For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course from life sciences should be included.
      2. No more than 9 units of EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research can be used
      3. Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
  3. Oral Comprehensive Examination before a committee of three faculty members

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

M. Eng. plan requires a minimum of 36 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of:

  1. Core courses (3 units)
    • EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
    • EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
  2. Elective Course (33 units):
    • 24 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
      1. 18 of which must be graduate units
        • 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
        • Remaining 6 units can be graduate units within or outside of engineering
      2. Remaining 6 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
    • Remaining 9 units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses, or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
      1. For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course from life sciences should be included.
      2. No more than 9 units of EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research can be used
      3. Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
  3. Written engineering report based on a project and oral comprehensive examination before a committee of three faculty members.

Thesis and Comprehensive Examination Requirements

Please click here for more information about the thesis or comprehensive examination.

Download the Graduate Program Degree Requirements for More Information

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