The 3+2 Plan is available to the highest performing students who desire to complete a graduate degree in conjunction with their undergraduate degree. The 3+2 Plan allows students to satisfy some of the Bachelor of Science requirements with graduate level coursework. This allows students to complete the two degrees in shorter time than doing the degrees consecutively. Please see the CBC-BS and the CBC-MS programs in the catalog for SLOs specific to the degrees.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Be able to understand and evaluate the scientific literature and use it in their courses and their research applied to cannabis science.
2. Be able to effectively communicate scientific research, both their own and information from the research literature, in written and oral fashions.
3. Students will understand advanced chemical and biological principles applied in these fields and how those principles can be applied to the emerging field of cannabis science.
4. Develop and master the scientific problem solving skills required to define and solve basic or applied original scientific questions, propose appropriate experimental design, and effectively employ the scientific method.
5. Actively engage in research/internships and discourse with the faculty engaged in scientific cannabis research in the Biology or Chemistry Departments and other STEM disciplines.

Outcomes Assessment Activities

• The faculty will use a variety of methods for evaluating student learning outcomes. These include required student enrollment in CBC 510 Foundations in Graduate Studies (3 credit hours), which involves faculty directed instruction and practice in searching, evaluating, and discussing scientific literature, instruction in experimental design, and dissemination of scientific research results. Students completing this degree program will give a public research seminar, CBC 593 Seminar (1 credit hour), that will be evaluated by cognizant faculty members. A written research thesis or internship report will be publicly presented and defended by students to demonstrate proficiency in their area of study and these will be evaluated by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. Students will collaborate with faculty to present the results of their thesis research or internship project within the greater Southern Colorado region, give seminars/posters on campus or at appropriate scientific meetings, publish the results of their research in peer reviewed scientific journals, or disseminate information through other appropriate media.

Specific Admission Requirements

Students in the 3+2 program are expected to successfully complete the requirements for both the BS and MS degree in five academic years. This is shorter than the typical six years that are necessary to complete BS and MS programs independently. Students must apply to the 3+2 program during the Spring semester of their junior year or the Fall semester of their senior year and meet the course requirements listed below. Students applying to the 3+2 program must have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and a minimum 3.25 GPA in their chemistry, biology, and CBC courses.

The application file for admission to the CBC MS 3+2 plan must include:

1. A completed Cannabis Biology and Chemistry MS application form;
2. A letter of intent explaining your expectations and purpose for obtaining the MS in CBC;
3. A CSU Pueblo transcript documenting an undergraduate GPA of 3.000 or higher;
4. Three letters of recommendation addressing the student's qualifications and aptitude to succeed in the program; and
5. An interview with graduate faculty of the Chemistry Department and Biology Department, and the Chemistry / Biochemistry / CBC MS Program Director.

Specific Program Requirements

Program Overview

Students in the 3+2 BS-CBC/MS-CBC program must complete:

• The requirements for a BS in Cannabis Biology & Chemistry including specific concentration courses. 
• The requirements for the MS in Chemistry including thesis or non-thesis options.

It is expected that students take any 400/500 level courses at the 500 level once they are enrolled in the 3+2 program plan.

Undergraduate Requirements

Specific Core Requirements

All other requirements for CBC Concentrations are the same as for the regular undergraduate degrees. For more information, consult the programs listed:

• Cannabis Biology & Chemistry: Analytical Concentration, Bachelor of Science
• Cannabis Biology & Chemistry: Natural Products Concentration, Bachelor of Science

Graduate Requirements

Specific Major Requirements

Additional Major Requirements

Students must complete 10 credit hours of the following:

Additional Program Requirements

In addition to the major courses for the graduate program and those specific to the concentration, students must also take graduate elective credits that are approved by the student's thesis committee. The number of elective credits depends on the concentration. For the Analytical concentration, a minimum of six graduate elective credits must be completed; for the Natural Products concentration, a minimum of nine graduate elective credits must be completed. 

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.

Enrollment in CHEM 121 requires successful placement exam score or completion of CHEM 111 with a grade of C or better, and completion of MATH 120 with a grade of C or better, or mathematics placement above MATH 120.  The placement exam is administered through the Testing Center - contact them to make arrangements.

Year 5