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).
Required core courses (2):
| METX200 | Interdisciplinary Approaches in Environmental Toxicology | 5 |
One course from the following (1):
| METX205 | Scientific Grant Writing | 5 |
| METX245A | Scientific Communication in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology A | 5 |
Two courses from the following:
| METX201 | Sources and Fates of Pollutants | 5 |
| METX202 | Cell and Molecular Toxicology | 5 |
| METX206A | Advanced Microbiology | 5 |
| METX210 | Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bacterial Pathogenesis | 5 |
| METX238 | Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease | 5 |
| METX250 | Environmental Microbiology | 5 |
| METX270
/CHEM 270/BME 270
| Drug Action and Development | 5 |
At least one
At lease one additional approved graduate-level METX course or from another department.
Any additional courses
Any additional courses as recommended by your first-year Advising Committee.
Each quarter, students must enroll in at least the following:
Each quarter, students must enroll in the lab meeting associated with their primary instructor (1):
| METX281C | Topics in Environmental Microbiology | 2 |
| METX281M | Topics in Molecular Toxicology | 2 |
| METX281O
/BIOL 280O
| Topics in Bacterial Pathogenesis | 2 |
| METX281S | Cellular and Organismal Responses to Toxicants | 2 |
| METX281V | Topics in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Innate Immunity | 2 |
| METX281Y | Biofilms: Processes and Regulation | 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:
| METX200 | Interdisciplinary Approaches in Environmental Toxicology | 5 |
Two courses from the following:
| METX201 | Sources and Fates of Pollutants | 5 |
| METX202 | Cell and Molecular Toxicology | 5 |
| METX206A | Advanced Microbiology | 5 |
| METX210 | Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bacterial Pathogenesis | 5 |
One course from the following:
| METX238 | Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease | 5 |
| BIOL217 | Influence of Environment and Experience on Brain Development | 5 |
At least one graduate-level course
At least one additional approved graduate-level METX course or from another department.
At least one general elective
At least one additional approved general elective METX course or from another department.
Each quarter, students must enroll in the following course:
| METX292 | Introductory Graduate Seminar | 0 |
Winter and Spring Quarter Capstone Courses
Both of the following courses:
| METX245A | Scientific Communication in Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology A | 5 |
| METX245B | Scientific 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 adviser, 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 adviser 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.