Department of Biology and Chemistry
Biology Capstones
The purpose of the biology capstone is for students to demonstrate their cumulative knowledge in the biological sciences. The biology capstone is designed to prepare students for their future field of study, whether it is in a professional degree program, research position in a laboratory, graduate school, or another biology-related field. The biology capstone was designed to fit the diverse needs and interests of students obtaining a degree in biology.
Keep in mind that different capstone courses are offered during Fall and Spring semesters. The best way to decide what capstone options are right for you is to create, and frequently update, a learning plan with your advisor. This will help you complete all the correct prerequisites for the capstone that will be most beneficial to you.
CSUMB's science majors present their capstone projects at Capstone festivals twice a year: at the Spring Capstone festival in May, and at the Fall Capstone festival in December. These diverse, exciting talks and poster presentations by Biology seniors are open to all students and the public.
Spring 2023 Capstone Festival
The Department of Biology and Chemistry's Fall 2022 Capstone Festival will be taking place on Friday, May 19th at 1:00 PM in the Tanimura and Antle Library, Room 1188. It will be available to watch over Zoom as well.
You can join us in celebrating the work of our graduating seniors via Zoom on this date. Stay tuned for more details!
Spring 2020 Virtual Capstone Festival Schedule
8:50 AM | Guests admitted into Zoom
9:00 AM | Welcome & Meeting Guidelines by Arlene Haffa (MS, PhD) & Aparna Sreenivasan (MS, PhD)
9:15 AM | Poster Presentation Links to Videos and Guidelines on Breakout Rooms by Aparna Sreenivasan (MS, PhD) and Jenn Kato (MS)
Course-based Capstones
- Biology 461 - Eukaryotic Molecular Biology. Capstone Instructor: Aparna Sreenivasan MS, PhD.
- Determining the evolutionary relationships between D. ananassae and D. melanogaster. Madeleine Hayman, Aparna Sreenivasan PhD
- Influence of LCB1 Temperature Sensitivity on Early G1 Checkpoint in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Clarissa Hernandez, Kayla Thibault, Aparna Sreenivasan PhD
- Biology 421 - Microbiology Research. Capstone Instructor: Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Enzymatic Analysis of Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Mexican-Free-tailed Bat Guano and Big Brown Bat Guano. Tiana McNair, Bloo Navarrete, Nathalie Solorzano, Cristina Vasquez, Abigail Smith, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Biofertilizers: Bacterial Analysis of Bat Guano Isolated from Bats Native to Monterey County. Adrian Trevino, Jikriz Carza, Sean Spencer, Rachel Franklin Tarnasky, Raul Padilla, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Comparative Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance of Bacillus aerius, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus stratosphericus Between Bat Guano and the Natural Environment. Marissa Hunter, Kaylee Wehunt, Skye Horner, Ally Schade, Mariah Melicia, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Strains of Bacilli Bacteria Isolated from Bat Guano are Beneficial for Plant Growth. Miguel Chavez, Matthew Cox, Christian Diaz, Thy Khong, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Antibiotic Resistance of Bacillus Bacteria Isolated from Bat Guano. Nancy Ayala, Haylee Both, Alexis Marshall, Jessica Reeves, Natalie Reeves, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Does a Difference in Diet Between Chiroptera and Non-Human Primates Relate to the Bacteria Present in their Digestive Tract? Erwin Calderon, Kayla Joseph, Kiara Jones, Isaac Martinez, Rory Raggio, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Bacteria Isolated from Bat Guano will have Characteristics Beneficial to Plants. Maria Tomasa Clara, Grace Nunn, Taylor Perez, Elvin Sarmiento, Sukjeet Kaur, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Bacteria: A Result of Diet Nutrition. Jennifer Rios, Jack Soriano, Marilyn Perez, Kate Udani, Melanie Yu, PhD, Arlene Haffa, PhD, Jennifer Kato, MS.
- Biology 461 - Eukaryotic Molecular Biology. Capstone Instructor: Aparna Sreenivasan MS, PhD.
See capstone requirements in the Biology Requirements page.