Sample Program Schedule
M.A. Science and Religion Modular Degree
Part-Time Status
Please note that the following schedules are suggestions. Students may take greater or lesser workloads per semester (academic advising suggested). Please contact your academic advisor,
Christy Brown, for more details at 562-906-4570.
Option I: Starting in Fall Term
Fall Term, Year I
CSSR 510 MD/ Research Methodologies (1) *
CSSR 519 MD/ Old Testament/Hebrew Literature (3) CSSR MD/ Elective of choice (2)
Total Units: 6
Spring Term, Year I (Track I Residency Classes)
CSSR 516 MD/ Authority of Scriptural Traditions (1)
CSSR 529 MD/ Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion (1) CSSR 530 MD/ Darwin, Evolution, and Design (1)
CSSR 540 MD/ Metaphysics and Epistemology (1) CSSR MD/ Elective of choice (2)
Total Units: 6
Summer Modules, Year I (Track I Residency Classes)
Attend Biola’s campus for the residential component of the following courses:
MD/ Authority of Scriptural Traditions
MD/ Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion MD/ Darwin, Evolution, and Design
Fall Term, Year II (Track I Residency Classes)
CSSR 516 MD/ Authority of Scriptural Traditions (1)
CSSR 529 MD/ Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion (1) CSSR 530 MD/ Darwin, Evolution, and Design (1)
CSSR 540 MD/ Metaphysics and Epistemology (2) Total Units: 5
Spring Term, Year II (Track II Residency Classes) CSSR 541 MD/ Christian Thought I (1) CSSR 542 MD/ Christian Thought II (1)
CSSR 547 MD/ Philosophy and Theology of Science (1) CSSR 631 MD/ Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design (1) CSSR 651 MD/ Intelligent Design Seminar (1)
CSSR MD/ Elective of choice (2) Total Units: 7
Summer Modules, Year II (Track II Residency Classes)
Attend Biola’s campus for the residential component of the following courses:
MD/ Christian Thought I MD/ Christian Thought II
MD/ Philosophy and Theology of Science MD/ Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design MD/ Intelligent Design Seminar
Fall Term, Year III (Track II Residency Classes) CSSR 541 MD/ Christian Thought I (1) CSSR 542 MD/ Christian Thought II (1)
CSSR 547 MD/ Philosophy and Theology of Science (2) CSSR 631 MD/ Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design (1) CSSR 651 MD/ Intelligent Design Seminar (1)
Total Units: 6
Spring Term, Year III
CSSR 520 MD/ New Testament Literature: Gospels or Epistles (3) CSSR 514 MD/ History of Christian Thought (3)
Total Units: 6
Total Units: 36
Graduate with the Master of Arts in Science and Religion!
*It is highly recommended to take Research Methodologies during the first semester.
Option 2: Starting in Spring Term
Spring Term, Year I (Track I Residency Classes) CSSR 510 MD/ Research Methodologies (1) *
CSSR 516 MD/ Authority of Scriptural Traditions (1)
CSSR 529 MD/ Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion (1) CSSR 530 MD/ Darwin, Evolution, and Design (1)
CSSR 540 MD/ Metaphysics and Epistemology (1) Total Units: 5
Summer Modules, Year I (Track I Residency Classes)
Attend Biola’s campus for the residential component of the following courses:
MD/ Authority of Scriptural Traditions
MD/ Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion MD/ Darwin, Evolution, and Design
MD/ Metaphysics and Epistemology Fall Term, Year I (Track I Residency Classes)
CSSR 516 MD/ Authority of Scriptural Traditions (1)
CSSR 529 MD/ Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion (1) CSSR 530 MD/ Darwin, Evolution, and Design (1)
CSSR 540 MD/ Metaphysics and Epistemology (2) CSSR MD/ Elective of choice (2)
Total Units: 7
Spring Term, Year II (Track II Residency Classes) CSSR 541 MD/ Christian Thought I (1) CSSR 542 MD/ Christian Thought II (1)
CSSR 547 MD/ Philosophy and Theology of Science (1) CSSR 631 MD/ Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design (1) CSSR 651 MD/ Intelligent Design Seminar (1)
Total Units: 5
Summer Modules, Year II (Track II Residency Classes)
Attend Biola’s campus for the residential component of the following courses:
MD/ Christian Thought I MD/ Christian Thought II
MD/ Philosophy and Theology of Science MD/ Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design MD/ Intelligent Design Seminar
Fall Term, Year II (Track II Residency Classes) CSSR 541 MD/ Christian Thought I (1) CSSR 542 MD/ Christian Thought II (1)
CSSR 547 MD/ Philosophy and Theology of Science (2) CSSR 631 MD/ Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design (1) CSSR 651 MD/ Intelligent Design Seminar (1)
Total Units: 6
Spring Term, Year III
CSSR 519 MD/ Old Testament/Hebrew Literature (3) CSSR MD/ Elective of choice (2)
CSSR MD/ Elective of choice (2) Total Units: 7
Fall Term, Year III
CSSR 520 MD/ New Testament Literature: Gospels or Epistles (3) CSSR 514 MD/ History of Christian Thought (3)
Total Units: 6
Total Units: 36
Graduate with the Master of Arts in Science and Religion!
Science and Religion Modular Degree Information
Curriculum WorksheetPlease see attached document.
Track I and II Residency Classes (20 units)
Tracks I and II provide modular students with 20 units of required classes. Each 2-unit class begins in the Spring semester with a 1-unit, 4-week intensive on Blackboard (Biola’s online bulletin board), continues with a 3-day Summer Residency on Biola’s campus, and concludes with another 1-unit, 4-week intensive on Blackboard in the Fall semester. The Summer Residency is held for 2 weeks each summer, typically in late June to early July. Students attend lectures from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and again from 7:00-9:00 pm Monday-Saturday. Cultural events and fellowship times are also scheduled. No course work is assigned during the Residency.
It is highly recommended to take Tracks I and II in the order indicated in this document. Students who cannot take 5 classes per semester or cannot attend the full 2-week
residency each summer can approach the degree at a slower pace by taking 1-4 residency classes at a time.
Completion of both Tracks results in earning 20 of 36 required credits for the degree. For a sample schedule, please see the attached Track I and II Residency Schedule document. Specialized Distance Classes (16 units)
In addition to 20 units of Residency classes, modular students must also complete: CSSR 510 MD/ Research Methodologies (1)
CSSR 514 MD/ History of Christian Thought (3) CSSR 519 MD/ Old Testament/Hebrew Literature (3)
CSSR 520 MD/ New Testament Literature: Gospels OR Epistles (3)
Electives (6) (e.g. Defending the Faith, Weekend Seminars, Arranged Courses, special electives as scheduled)
Specialized Distance Courses, with the exception of Weekend Seminars, require no time on campus. All Specialized Distance Courses are conducted within a single semester.
Class Delivery Methods
Blackboard (online bulletin board)
Track classes, as well as Research Methodologies, are conducted via Blackboard and require weekly discussions, reading assignments, tests, and essays. Research Methodologies is available each semester, whereas the Spring sections of Track classes must be completed before the Summer and Fall sections.
Audio Recording
Defending the Faith, the Old and New Testament Survey courses, and History of Christian Thought are audio-recorded classes conducted independently by the student. A
coordinating professor will grade tests, essays, and other assignments and be available for questions/interaction. Available each semester. Materials fee.
Weekends at Biola
Weekend Seminars are 2-unit, 16-24 hour lecture courses held Thursday-Saturday on Biola’s campus (and occasionally out-of-state locations). These classes require reading assignments and essays/projects that are completed outside of the lecture dates and graded by a coordinating professor. 2-3 Weekend Seminars are offered per semester and topics vary.
Arranged Courses: Directed Study, Project, Internship, Thesis
Arranged Courses are specialized independent studies conducted between a student and professor. Topics, learning objectives, and assignments are selected on a case-by-case basis and are typically proposed by the student. Available each semester.
Transfers/waivers
Students may transfer up to 12 units from other accredited institutions. Transferred classes that are normally offered as residential classes in the Science and Religion program will reduce the student’s residency requirements by an equivalent number of units. Classes may be waived if a student has taken similar courses in an undergraduate or
graduate program. Waived courses must be replaced by an equal number of elective credits offered through the Science and Religion program.
Transfers/waivers are determined by Biola University’s Office of the Registrar. Syllabi/Course Outlines
Syllabi contain detailed information on the learning objectives, requirements, and expectations of each course. Sample syllabi and course descriptions are available for advising purposes upon request.
