Graduate Advising

When Should I Talk to an Advisor?

Graduate students are expected to meet with their program advisors and coordinators to discuss courses and file various documents. Filling out a Degree Completion Plan, Program of Study, and Petition for Adjustment of Academic Requirements requires the aid of a student’s Advisor.

Meet our Advisors

		First Name	Last Name	Suffix	Display Name	Title	Email	Phone	Office	Profile URL	Alt Text	Image URL	Page Slug
	Kat Zumstein Graduate Programs Coordinator kzumstein@sdsu.edu 619-594-4628 Life Science 104	Kat	Zumstein		Kat Zumstein	Graduate Programs Coordinator	kzumstein@sdsu.edu	619-594-4628	Life Science 104	https://biology.sdsu.edu/people/kat-zumstein	Closeup of Kat Zumstein	https://biology.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/profiles/kat-zumstein-300.jpg
	Ricardo Zayas, Ph.D. M.S. Program Advisor: Cell and Molecular Biology M.S. Program Advisor: Microbiology Professor of Biology rzayas@sdsu.edu 619-594-2698 Life Science 306	Ricardo	Zayas	Ph.D.	Ricardo Zayas, Ph.D.	M.S. Program Advisor: Cell and Molecular Biology M.S. Program Advisor: Microbiology Professor of Biology	rzayas@sdsu.edu	619-594-2698	Life Science 306	https://biology.sdsu.edu/people/ricardo-zayas	Closeup of Ricardo Zayas	https://biology.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/profiles/ricardo-zayas-300.jpg
	Chun-Ta Lai, Ph.D. M.S. Program Advisor: Ecology Professor of Biology chun-ta.lai@sdsu.edu 619-594-0678 PS 154A / 154	Chun-Ta	Lai	Ph.D.	Chun-Ta Lai, Ph.D.	M.S. Program Advisor: Ecology Professor of Biology	chun-ta.lai@sdsu.edu	619-594-0678	PS 154A / 154	https://biology.sdsu.edu/people/chun-ta-lai/	Closeup of Chun-Ta Lai	https://biology.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/profiles/chun-ta-lai-300.jpg
	Kevin Burns, Ph.D. Department of Biology Graduate Advisor M.S. Program Advisor: Evolutionary Biology Professor of Biology kburns@sdsu.edu 619-594-0538 LSN 231, 233	Kevin	Burns	Ph.D.	Kevin Burns, Ph.D.	Department of Biology Graduate Advisor M.S. Program Advisor: Evolutionary Biology Professor of Biology	kburns@sdsu.edu	619-594-0538	LSN 231, 233	https://biology.sdsu.edu/people/kevin-burns	Closeup of Kevin Burns	https://biology.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/profiles/kevin-burns-300.jpg

Master’s Degree Timeline

Students should consult the Biology Master’s Degree Timeline for a general overview of an average M.S. Biology program. For specific questions regarding courses, thesis proposals, etc., students should reach out to their program coordinator or the department graduate advisor.

Prepare for a Doctoral Program

For students interested in applying to an SDSU Doctoral program, visit the SDSU Doctoral Degrees page. For advice and guidance as to the next steps on the journey to a Doctorate, program coordinators and student’s professors are invaluable resources.

Canvas

Students with an SDSU ID can visit the Biology M.S. Homepage on Canvas for more information on advising and coursework.