MLASC-MS - Laboratory Animal Science (MS)
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Program Overview
The Master of Science (MS) in Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree program in the Department of Comparative Medicine is a flexible, one- to two-year graduate program designed for students who want to pursue advanced careers in biomedical research, focusing on animal modeling and biomethodology, laboratory animal science, organizational management and facility design, regulatory and compliance issues, and animal welfare.
The program’s academic courses are designed to build a solid foundation for a successful career in laboratory animal science and biomedical research. Graduates find employment in pharmaceutical companies and academia or pursue advanced degrees or training in medical or veterinary schools. The program is designed to allow students to customize their academic research experience.
The Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree program may also be taken by Stanford undergraduates as a coterminal master’s degree program.
Graduate Degrees describes university requirements for the master’s degree.
Admissions Information
External Applicants and Current Stanford Graduate Students
Review the information and instructions on the University Graduate Admissions website. Submit your application online at the University Graduate Admissions website.
Admissions Deadline: Application deadlines are listed on the Laboratory Animal Science webpage. For more information, contact compmed-mlas-info@stanford.edu.
Items which must be included in the online application:
Completed Online Application Form
Resume or CV
Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
GRE is not required
Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages, 1-inch margins, 12-point font, single-spaced)
The statement of purpose should succinctly describe the reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of the student’s background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
Three letters of recommendation; at least one of the two reference letters should come from a science-related faculty member or professor.
The Registrar assesses a $125 application fee at the time of applying.
Coterminal Applicants
The coterminal degree program allows current Stanford University undergraduates to study for a master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree(s) in the same or a different department. See Coterminal Degree for additional information.
Go to the Stanford Registrar’s Office Applying to Coterm website.
Review the eligibility requirements, deadlines, and fees.
Complete the online Coterm Application.
The Registrar assesses a $125 application fee at the time of applying.
For additional questions, contact Venessa Juarez, Student Services Officer, at venessaj@stanford.edu.
University Coterminal Requirements
Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described at Graduate Degrees.
After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transferring courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case-by-case basis.
In this master’s program, courses taken three quarters before the first graduate quarter or later are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career. No courses taken before the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.
Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.
The university requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The university also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
All courses must be taken at the 100 level or above
36 of 45 units must be 200-level or above
All graded courses must achieve a grade of C or higher
Adhere to university minimum for an overall GPA (3.0)
CompMed 210 and 211 MUST be taken for a letter grade
Students must complete at least 45 units of academic work. All required courses must be completed and will count toward the 45-unit minimum. The remaining units can be used as research credit (course) or electives, as approved by each student’s research mentor.
Per university policy, the master’s degree must be completed within three years.
COMPMED 200 must be taken twice.
Students must complete a master’s thesis, which may take the following form:
Original analysis of original data
A comprehensive literature review with a meta-analysis of data or a critical reanalysis of data
Evaluation of a methodological problem using actual data
A comprehensive literature review with a grant proposal (NIH style format) for a new study to bridge a gap in the existing knowledge.
Students must present their research to the department.
While not required, students are encouraged to publish a research paper that would meet the thesis requirement.
In addition to the required coursework, enroll in research units with your PI.
Students should enroll in COMPMED 260 quarterly with their PI.
Students interested in taking COMPMED 299 or 399 should speak with their PI before enrolling.