Cannabis Biology & Chemistry, Master of Science
The graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Cannabis Biology & Chemistry allows individuals interested in the field of cannabis to gain a graduate degree in the science associated with cannabis. The program is beneficial to students who desire to work on the scientific side of the cannabis industry. The program can be tailored to individual student needs and future directions (doctoral program, analytical laboratory, research laboratory, etc.). The majority of the coursework is centered around cannabis, but elective courses will expand the student's knowledge in scientific areas beyond cannabis.
Specific Admission Requirements
Admission to the Cannabis Biology and Chemistry MS program (CBC MS) is in accordance with Colorado State University Pueblo and the Department of Chemistry requirements for master’s programs as specified in the University’s Catalog. The application file for admission to the CBC MS program must include:
- A completed Cannabis Biology and Chemistry MS application form (online);
- A letter of intent explaining your expectations and purpose for obtaining the MS in CBC;
- Transcript(s) documenting an undergraduate GPA of 3.000 or higher;
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty addressing the student's qualifications and potential to succeed in the program; and
- An interview (in-person or remote) with graduate faculty of the Chemistry Department and Biology Department, and the Chemistry / Biochemistry / CBC MS Program Director.
GRE scores are optional and may be used to supplement your application.
Program Goals
The objective of the program is to prepare students for career in the scientific side of the cannabis industry. Graduates will be well versed in several scientific aspects of cannabis (separations, pharmacology, etc.) and will be prepared to undertake a career in the industry, or government, or to further their education in a doctoral program. Since the program requires the completion of a thesis, graduates will have full understanding of the application of the scientific method to scientific research, especially in the area of experimental design, experimentation, and data-driven decision making. Graduates will also be adept at preparation and presentation of scientific materials.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of a CBC-MS degree, students will:
- Evaluate the scientific literature and use it in their courses and their research applied to cannabis science.
- Effectively communicate scientific research, both their own and information from the research literature, in written and oral fashions.
- Demonstrate or explain use of advanced chemical and biological principles applied to the emerging field of cannabis science.
- Develop and master 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.
- 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.
- Disseminate, in collaboration with faculty, the products of the CBC-MS program within the CSU Pueblo community and with communities outside of the University in activities using their professional expertise.
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 Program Requirements
Specific Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBC 510 | Foundations in Graduate Studies | 3 |
| CBC 589 | Thesis Defense | 1 |
| CBC 593 | Seminar | 1 |
| CBC 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
Additional Core Requirements
Students must complete 10 credit hours from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBC 501 | Medicinal Plant Biochemistry | 3 |
| CBC 513 | Cannabis Physiology & Growth | 3 |
| CBC 513L | Cannabis Physiology & Growth Lab | 1 |
| CBC 522 | Natural Products Extraction & Analysis | 3 |
| CBC 522L | Natural Products Extraction & Analysis Lab | 1 |
| CBC 563 | Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology | 3 |
Additional Requirements
The elective coursework must be at the 500 level or above and is approved by the student's thesis committee. The courses should be selected to benefit the student and to prepare the student for their desired path after completion of the MS degree. These elective courses can include, but are not limited to, the CBC courses not completed as part of the Core requirements or approved Chemistry and Biology graduate courses. The following list provides examples of courses that may be counted as Elective courses.
Students must complete at least 9 credits of the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 540 | Advanced Biotechniques | 2 |
| BIOL 540L | Advanced Biotechniques Lab | 2 |
| BIOL 548 | Biological Statistics | 3 |
| BIOL 585 | Plant Taxonomy | 2 |
| BIOL 585L | Plant Taxonomy Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 512 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 512L | Biochemistry II Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 513 | Molecular Basis of Disease | 3 |
| CHEM 519 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| CHEM 519L | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 525 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 525L | Environmental Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| CHEM 529 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 591 | Special Topics | 1 |
Specific Graduation Requirements
The program requires that all students complete 30 credit hours of graduate coursework. A set of common core coursework, totaling 11 credit hours, must be completed by all students in the program. Additional core coursework comes from completion of at least ten credit hours in the listed CBC courses. To complete the degree, students must complete at least nine credit hours of elective graduate coursework that is approved by the student's thesis committee. The elective coursework can be completed in Chemistry, Biology, Math, Engineering, or any graduate subject approved by the student's thesis committee. Included in the core courses is six credits of Thesis Research and a one credit Thesis Defense. All students must write and successfully defend a thesis based on their research.
All students must maintain a minimum GPA of a 3.000, and students must have a 3.000 GPA in all coursework that is approved by their thesis committee.
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.
Electives shown in the planning sheet are for illustration only and exceed the number of elective credits required for graduation. Work with your faculty advisor to select those courses (as shown below or other approved electives) most appropriate for you.
Thesis Option Only
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CBC 510 | Foundations in Graduate Studies | 3 |
| CBC 513 | Cannabis Physiology & Growth | 3 |
| CBC 513L | Cannabis Physiology & Growth Lab | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| CBC 501 | Medicinal Plant Biochemistry or ELECTIVE | 3 |
| CHEM 599 | Thesis Research or CBC 599 | 1 |
| ELECTIVE | 2 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| CHEM 599 | Thesis Research or CBC 599 or BIOL 599 | 2 |
| Credits | 2 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CBC 522 | Natural Products Extraction & Analysis | 3 |
| CBC 522L | Natural Products Extraction & Analysis Lab | 1 |
| CBC 563 | Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacology | 3 |
| CBC 593 | Seminar | 1 |
| CHEM 599 | Thesis Research or CBC 599 or BIOL 599 | 1 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| ELECTIVE or CBC 501 | 3 | |
| CHEM 599 | Thesis Research or CBC 599 or BIOL 599 | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Summer | ||
| CHEM 589 | Thesis Defense or CBC 589 | 1 |
| Credits | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |