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The Coterminal Master of Science Degree Program
Effective January 1, 2008 the name of the department changed from Biological Sciences to Biology. All new coterm students who applied and were admitted after January 1, 2008 will be admitted as Biology MS students instead of Biological Sciences MS students.
The Coterminal Masters Program is for current Stanford undegraduates only. It is intended for students who want to work in depth on course studies and/or research. For a list of general requirements, please read our section of the Bulletin.
On this page:
Admissions Requirements
Admissions Procedures
Degree Requirements
Useful Links
Documents and Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions Requirements
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Complete Coterminal M.S. applications should be turned into the Student Services Office in Gilbert 108, and must include the following:
- Application for Admission, Preliminary Program Proposal and Course Transfer form
- Statement of Purpose - should explain why student wishes to enter the program and what the student plans to accomplish while in the program. The statements should also supply information about the student's science capabilities if his or her undergraduate academic record does not accurately reflect them. For example, if the GPA is slightly under 3.0, the student should explain any changes that may indicate improvement in coursework.
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members, preferably from Stanford Biology faculty (Recommendation form is not required; a letter will suffice). Letters should be submitted to:
Subcommittee on the Coterminal Degree Program
Student Services Office, Department of Biology
Gilbert Building, Room 108;
371 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-5020
- Unofficial Stanford transcript showing coursework in Math, Chemistry, Physics and Bio Core classes as outlined in the Biology undergraduate major requirements
- Official general GRE score print-out
Admissions Procedures
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Applications should be submitted within the first three weeks of the quarter prior to the quarter in which you wish to begin the Coterm Program. (For example, if you wish to start the program in Winter, apply within the first three weeks of Autumn)
Application Deadlines
April 18, 2008 - to start Coterm in Autumn 2008-2009
October 10, 2008 - to start Coterm in Winter 2008-2009
January 23, 2009 - to start Coterm in Spring 2008-2009
April 17, 2009 - to start Coterm in Autumn 2009-2010
The Subcommittee on the Coterminal Degree Program evaluates applications on a quarterly basis (excluding Summer quarter). Applicants will be notified of the admission decision in writing, typically 3-4 weeks after the application deadline. If a student is approved for admission into the coterminal program, the student must respond to the Department within the same quarter the offer of admission was made.
Once a student is admitted, the coterminal application may not be deferred to a later quarter. If an admitted student wishes to begin the coterminal MS program after the quarter in which he/she was admitted, he/she will be required to re-apply at that later quarter and will not be guaranteed admission.
Degree Requirements
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The MS program consists of Department of Biology and/or Hopkins Marine Station course work, approved out-of-department electives, and foundational breadth courses totaling at least 45 units at or above the 100-level, distributed as follows:
- A minimum of 23 of the 45 units must be courses designated primarily for graduate students (at the 200-level or higher)
- A minimum of 36 units must be chosen from the offerings in the Department of Biology (BIO), Hopkins Marine Station (BIOHOPK), the list of approved out-of-department electives, foundational breadth courses, and/or research and teaching.
- a maximum of 18 of the 36 units may be a combination of Biology research, directed reading, and/or teaching (BIO 198, 198X, 290, 290X, 291, 300, 300X; BIOHOPK 175H, 198H, 290H, 300H).
- a maximum of 9 units may be foundational breadth courses in chemistry, mathematics, statistics, computer science, and/or physics beyond the level required for the undergraduate degree in Biology and at least at the 100-level.
- The remaining 9 units may be other Stanford course work relevant to a student's professional development. Students are required to petition for courses that fall into this category using the General Petition form.
Each candidate designs a coherent program of study in consultation with her or his department advisor. Although there are no specific courses required, program proposals must adhere to department parameters.
A program proposal, signed by the student's faculty advisor and approved by the chair of the MS committee, must be filed by the third week of the first quarter of enrollment. Students may only take 6 units CR/NC and must receive a grade of "B-" or better in all courses taken for the degree.
Useful links
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Documents and Forms
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Coterm Information Packet - Background and application information for the coterm program
MS Handbook - comprehensive guide to the MS program
Approved Out-Of-Department Electives - list of non-BIO courses that can be used toward the MS degree
General Petition - form to be used when requesting a substitution, exemption or other exception to the MS degree requirements
BIO 300X petition - form to be used when applying for research credit with a non-Biology faculty member
MS Degree Checklist - form to be used to assist students with formulation of Program Proposal
Program Proposal - outline of course plan for MS degree - must be submitted to Student Services by the third week of first quarter, and each quarter thereafter (if there are changes)
Stanford Graduate Student Handbook - comprehensive guide about graduate studies and student life at Stanford
Faculty Office Hours - list of current faculty office hours for Spring 07-08 
Frequently Asked Questions
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- When can I apply for the Coterm program?
- Can I count courses toward both my undergraduate degree and my Coterm?
- Do I need to write a thesis?
- How long does it typically take to complete the program?
- How do I know what needs to be petitioned?
- How do I petition?
- What if I need to petition before I've been admitted?
- When is the Program Proposal due?
- How do I find an advisor?
- Where do MS graduates go after finishing the program?
1. When can I apply for the Coterm program? Once you have completed 120 units towards graduation, but at least one quarter prior to graduating with your undergraduate degree. Please see "Admissions Procedures" above for specific quarterly deadlines.
2. Can I count courses toward both my undergraduate degree and my Coterm?
No - you must decide which courses will count toward your undergraduate degree and which courses will count toward your coterm. You cannot double count courses between two programs. You will be required to submit a program proposal and Course Transfer Form, which will clarify what courses are being taken for your coterm.
3. Do I need to write a thesis? The department does not have an MS with thesis option, but students can do a thesis, and have it evaluated by their advisor and one additional reader.
4. How long does it typically take to complete the program? You are required to take 45 units for the Coterm program. This typically takes 3 quarters to complete.
5. How do I know what needs to be petitioned?
Any course that is not listed as a BIO or BIOHOPK course, or any course that is not on the list of Approved Out-of-Department Electives must be petitioned.
6. How do I petition?
To petition for inclusion of a course in your MS program, you will need to submit a General Petition to the Student Services Office. Your petition should include the course description and/or syllabus, as well as a brief statement explaining your request. Petitions must be signed by your MS faculty advisor before submitting. Only one request per petition.
7. What if I need to petition before I've been admitted?
If you need to petition for a course prior to being admitted, submit the paperwork to Student Services without a faculty advisor signature.
8. When is the Program Proposal due?
The Program Proposal is due by the end of the third week of your first quarter in the program. If you change your course plans after submitting the initial proposal, you are required to resubmit a new Program Proposal. This helps the Student Services Office track whether or not your plans meet the requirements for the MS degree.
9. How do I find an advisor?
There are several ways to find an advisor. You might want to start by reviewing the list of Biology faculty. You can also pick up a copy of the most recent Faculty Research and Publications brochure in Gilbert 108, so you can match yourself up with someone according to research/interest area.
10. Where do MS graduates go after finishing the program?
MS graduates have wonderful career and educational opportunities after finishing our program. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to be a lab coordinator, work for a non-profit environmental organization, work in biotech licensing, teach, and to medical school. These are just a few examples of what you can do with an MS in Biology.
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