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Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology M.S.

Introduction

The Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department offers a master of science (M.S.) degree in microbiology and environmental toxicology (METX). The METX M.S. degree can be attained through Plan I thesis (coursework and thesis, minimum 40 credits) or Plan II (coursework and capstone project, minimum 40 credits). In addition, METX offers a fifth-year Plan I (thesis) M.S. degree path when earned contiguous with an appropriate bachelor of science (B.S.) degree at UC Santa Cruz. The METX M.S. degree combines core courses and electives to provide interdisciplinary training in microbiology, toxicology, and environmental health sciences. Graduates from the program are exceptionally prepared to take research or management positions in organizations concerned with microbial and environmental health-related sciences. Graduates may also pursue fields in education or enter doctoral programs in biological and environmental health sciences or related fields.

Requirements

Course Requirements

Plan I (coursework, research, and thesis) M.S. degree

Prospective students who are interested in research careers, or gaining research experience prior to entering a doctoral program, may consider the thesis M.S. degree (Plan I).

Two required core courses:
METX 200Interdisciplinary Approaches in Environmental Toxicology

5

One course from the following:
METX 205Scientific Grant Writing

5

METX 245AScientific Communication in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology A

5

Two courses from the following:
METX 201Sources and Fates of Pollutants

5

METX 202Cell and Molecular Toxicology

5

METX 206AAdvanced Microbiology

5

METX 210Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bacterial Pathogenesis

5

METX 238Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

5

METX 250Environmental Microbiology

5

METX 270
/CHEM 270/BME 270
Drug Action and Development

5

Any additional courses

As recommended by your first-year Advising Committee

Each quarter, students must enroll in:
METX 292Introductory Graduate Seminar

0

And one of the following:
METX 299AThesis Research

5

METX 299BThesis Research

10

METX 299CThesis Research

15

Each quarter, students must enroll in the lab meeting associated with their primary instructor (1):
METX 281CTopics in Environmental Microbiology

2

METX 281MTopics in Molecular Toxicology

2

METX 281O
/BIOL 280O
Topics in Bacterial Pathogenesis

2

METX 281SCellular and Organismal Responses to Toxicants

2

METX 281VTopics in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Innate Immunity

2

METX 281YBiofilms: Processes and Regulation

2

METX 281JMechanisms of Virulence and Resistance to Infectious Disease

2

METX 281RTopics in Genome-Environment Interactions

2

Plan II (Coursework and Capstone) M.S. Degree

The Plan II coursework M.S. degree may be of interest to students interested in interdisciplinary graduate training in microbiology and environmental health-related fields, but with career goals other than research, such as government service, non-profit NGOs, and private sector biotech and environmental health companies.

Required core course:
METX 200Interdisciplinary Approaches in Environmental Toxicology

5

Two courses from the following:
METX 201Sources and Fates of Pollutants

5

METX 202Cell and Molecular Toxicology

5

METX 206AAdvanced Microbiology

5

METX 210Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bacterial Pathogenesis

5

One course from the following:
METX 238Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

5

BIOL 217Influence of Environment and Experience on Brain Development

5

At least one additional course

At least one additional course approved graduate-level METX course or from another department.

At least one additional approved general elective course

From METX or from another department

Each quarter, students must enroll in the following course:
METX 292Introductory Graduate Seminar

0

Winter and Spring Quarter Capstone Courses

Both of the following courses:

METX 245AScientific Communication in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology A

5

METX 245BScientific Communication in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology B

5

Other Requirements

Plan I (coursework, research, and thesis) M.S. degree

Literature review 

Under direction of the student's advisor, write a literature review of the current state of the field of the proposed dissertation research. The written review will be handed in to the student's advisor at the end of the summer of the first year.

Department seminars

Give a 20-minute departmental seminar in the first academic year and one 50-minute departmental seminar on thesis work during the spring of the second year.

Master's comprehensive examination

The master's comprehensive exam is a presentation and defense of the student's master's research proposal, including relevant background knowledge. The examination will not be specifically course-based, but will draw on knowledge from courses. This examination is taken in the fall quarter of the second year.

Thesis

Students are required to submit a thesis for fulfillment of the degree requirements. The thesis should be submitted to the student's master's reading committee one month before the due date.

Plan II (coursework and capstone) M.S. degree

Capstone Writing Project:

Plan II M.S. students will also complete a capstone writing project (METX 245A and METX 245B) to be completed under the guidance/mentorship of a faculty member in the department. As an example, capstone projects may include a scientific research proposal or a substantial review article.