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Tracing the 12,000 Year Pedigree of Beer

The Sequoia of Spiders

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College of Sciences (COS)

A graduate in cap and gown on a stage faces a packed audience of other graduates.

SDSU's top 10 degrees among 2026 graduates

More than 13,600 San Diego State University degree candidates have the opportunity to participate in the university’s 2026 commencement weekend.

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SDSU to award honorary doctorate to life sciences executive

Gregory T. Lucier will receive the degree at the College of Sciences commencement ceremony.

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Class of '26: Three biology graduates find pathways to their dreams

Cesar Daniel Edeza, Isaac Torres and Melissa Sicairos Bobadilla took full advantage of a program geared to transfer students pursuing STEM degrees.

More College of Sciences (COS)

SDSU / UC Riverside Evolutionary Joint Doctoral Program

As the organizing principle of biology, the study of Evolutionary Biology remains on the cutting edge of current biological studies and research. Students will receive training under the guidance and supervision of SDSU faculty who specialize in Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Molecular and Cell Biology, as well as participation from UC Riverside Faculty who specialize in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. Students also take an academic year of residence at the UC Riverside campus, providing them with hands-on experience and expertise from faculty in various topics, including molecular evolution, genomics, paleontology, population biology, and systematics, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of evolutionary biology.

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Major Areas of Study

Biodiversity Studies

Research biodiversity from genetic to ecological levels, focusing on California ecosystems.

A spiny lobster hides in seagrass habitat.

Comparative & Integrative Biology

Study connecting various biological aspects within an evolutionary ecological framework.

A Free-Atmosphere CO2 Enrichment ring deployed at Sky Oaks Field Station.

Evolutionary Ecology

Examine the evolution of species interactions and their environmental relationships over time.

Molecular Evolutionary Biology

Study biological molecule evolution and its link to organismal development and diversity.

Calisoga phylogeographic structure.ASTRAL tree showing relationships of primary phylogenomic lineages. Node circles denote local posterior probability support, colored in grayscale with values.

Phylogenetics

Investigate evolutionary history for classification and study speciation and extinction processes.

Western Tanager. Bright yellow bird with red head on pirch in tree.

Population and Conservation Genetics

Study gene pool diversity and evolutionary forces driving genetic variation patterns.

SoxB1-2 Regulates Sensory Neuronal Differentiation Through Chromatin Remodeling in the Regenerative Flatworm, Schmidtea mediterranea

Formulation, Purification, and Application of Phages to Combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The Role of MEF2 and the Invertebrate Ortholog of Mkx, CG11617, in Myogenesis

Research Excellence

Our doctoral students regularly publish in prestigious journals. Here are some of their recent publications:

Tofflemire, M. A., Epperly, K. L., Burns, K. J., & Klicka, J. (2024). Integrative phylogeography and ecological niche analysis reveal insight into the evolutionary history and taxonomy of the Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 136(2), 143-165.
Heptinstall, T. C., R. A. Rosales-Garcia, R. M. Rautsaw, E. P. Hofmann, A. de Queiroz, L. Canseco- Márquez, and C. L. Parkinson. 2024. Size Doesn’t Matter: Body size is not linked to diet specialization in garter snakes (Squamata: Natricidae: Thamnophis). Journal of Herpetology. 58(2):1-11.
Heptinstall, T.C. , Boudreau, M. R., Powers, R., VerCauteren, K. C., Miller, R. S., & Brook, R. K. (2024). Potential landscape connectivity for invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) across the northern prairies of North America. Biological Invasions, 1-14.
Essner, R.L., Jr., R.E. Pereira, D.C. Blackburn, A.L. Singhstrong>, E.L. Stanley, M.O. Moura, A.E. Confetti, and M.R. Pie. (2022). Semicircular canal size constrains vestibular function in miniaturized frogs. Science Advances 8: eabn1104.
Weinell, Jeffery, Daniel J. Paluh, Amber L. Singhstrong>, David C. Blackburn, Rafe M. Brown. (2019). Myersophis alpestris (Myers’ Mountain Snake) reproduction. Herpetological Review: 50(1):164-165.