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Department of Biological Sciences
Science Building, Room 338
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7537
(509) 963-2731
biology@cwu.edu
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Biology Graduate Program
Our Mission
The Biology Graduate Program prepares enlightened, responsible, and productive scientists with essential skills, a deep understanding of their discipline, respect for diversity, and the ability to think critically and communicate clearly.
We offer a Master of Science in Biology degree; please note that we do not offer a Ph.D. degree. Our program, which typically requires two years, provides advanced training and expertise in biology through coursework, research, and a strong academic environment.
Our graduates go on to be:
Technicians in research labs
Biomedical researchers in academic, government, and industrial labs
Field biologists in federal, state, local, and tribal agencies
Biologists with environmental and other consulting firms
Educators at K-12 schools and community colleges
Doctorates in the sciences (Ph.D.) and professional fields (e.g., M.D., DVM, and other advanced medical degrees)
Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator
Program Outcomes
Our graduate students will:
Design a program of study to enhance their knowledge in their chosen area of specialization and to bolster areas deemed deficient in their undergraduate education.
Formulate an area of interest within biology and demonstrate historic and current knowledge of that area.
Design a research project, which will serve as the basis of the thesis.
Defend and Support the results of their graduate research in the form of a professional level thesis.
Program Requirements
We help students design a course of study, comprising 14 credits of required graduate courses, 16 credits of research (BIOL 595 and BIOL 700), and 15 elective credits (total, 45). Students are mentored through the process of conducting original, independent research by their faculty advisor and thesis committee members. We support two thesis formats: a traditional thesis, and a journal-ready manuscript option.
Biology Faculty
Biology faculty are active in research in many areas of Biology, including Ecology & Evolution, Physiology & Organismal Biology, and Cell & Molecular Biology.
Clay Arango, Associate Professor
Stream ecosystem ecology, nitrogen cycling, human-ecosystem interactions
Daniel Beck, Professor
Ecology, behavior, and physiology of reptiles in the Pacific NW, southwestern USA, and western Mexico
April Binder, Associate Professor
Reproductive biology focused on hormonal control of ovarian function and development
Lucinda Carnell, Professor
Regulation of behavior in the nematode, C. elegans
David Darda, Professor
Evolutionary vertebrate morphology, herpetology
Jennifer Dechaine, Associate Professor
Plant evolutionary genetics
Blaise Dondji, Professor
Cellular immune responses to hookworm and Leishmania infections
Kristina Ernest, Professor
Terrestrial ecology: small mammals, species interactions, connectivity
Jason Irwin, Professor
Physiological and ecological aspects of cold tolerance in insects and amphibians
Paul James, Professor
Ecology & fisheries biology
Jim Johnson, Professor
Mycology, molecular systematics, molecular ecology and amphibian disease
Sarah Oppelt, Assistant Professor
Aspects of metabolism and how it influences cell fate
Holly Pinkart, Professor / Department Chair
Microbial ecology and physiology, microbes of saline alkaline lakes
Mary Poulson, Professor
Plant physiology, photosynthesis, and photosynthetic responses to the environment
Wayne Quirk, Professor
Sensory Physiology
Ian Quitadamo, Professor
Neuro-cognitive basis of critical thinking, assessment of science learning
Linda Raubeson, Professor
Phylogeny of conifers, chloroplast genome evolution, conservation and ecological genetics of local plants
Alison Scoville, Associate Professor
Ecological and evolutionary genomics, rapid evolution and conservation biology
Gabrielle Stryker, Associate Professor
Protozoan parasites, paraflagellar rod proteins in kinetoplastids, cell motility, immunology
Lixing Sun, Professor
Ecology and evolution of animal behavior (especially communication systems), primatology
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Funding Your Graduate Program
Many of our graduate students are supported by teaching assistantships, which are normally guaranteed for two years (six quarters), given adequate research progress and satisfactory teaching evaluations. Please note that while some students need more than two years to finish their degree, financial support (through graduate assistantships) is available only during the first two years. Applicants who would like to be considered for a teaching assistantship must complete an assistantship application form (in addition to the application for admissions). Research assistantships and summer stipends are occasionally available on a competitive basis, as are other sources of funds related to specific externally-funded projects.
For information on graduate tuition and fees, assistantships, grants and fellowships, scholarships, financial aid, and student employment, please see the Graduate Student Funding section of CWU's Graduate Studies and Research webpage.
CWU Graduate Student Fellowships and Grants
Washington State Distinguished Fellowship in Biology
The Botanical & Mycological Research Fund
Kittitas Audubon Research & Tuition Scholarship
CWU Graduate Student Research Support Award
CWU Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship
CWU Retirement Association (CWURA) Graduate Student Scholarship
CWU Office of International Studies and Programs Tuition Waiver
CWU Graduate Student Travel Funds
See Also: CWU Scholarship Office
External Research Funding Sources
Northwest Scientific Association Student Research Grants
The Wildlife Society Grants & Scholarships (Washington State Chapter)
Washington Native Plant Society Conservation Grants
Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology, Student Scholarships
Sigma Xi, Grants-in-Aid of Research
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Graduate Student Research
Thesis titles of recent graduates: https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/biotheses/
| 2021-2022 Cohort | |
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Maddisen Bell B.S., Biology, Eastern Washington University Researching: Sexual selection and competition or bargaining amongst males to select females Mentor: Dr. Lixing Sun |
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Zarha Dillon-Zuppelli Researching: Pediocactus nigrispinus (Snowball cactus) demography and soil crust associations Mentor: Dr. Mary Poulson |
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Ryan Garcia B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Plant conservation genetics using Ranunculus triternatus as a model organism. Mentor: Dr. Linda Raubeson |
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Thomas Luehl B.A. Environmental Science, New College of Florida Researching: The spread of native mycorrhizae on the I90 wildlife overcrossing Mentor: Dr. Johnson |
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Andy Rashid B.S., Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Omaha Researching: Inflammatory response in the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease state Mentor: Dr. Sarah Oppelt |
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Kyle Sease B.S., Biology, Biomedical Specialization, Central Washington University Researching: Phthalates, their derivatives, and their influence on neuronal cells Mentor: Dr. Carnell |
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Adrian Slade B.S., Biological Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Specialization, Central Washington University Researching: Impact of solar arrays on ectotherm ecology and survival in the Mojave Desert |
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Lauren Taracka B.S., Biological Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Specialization, Central Washington University Researching: movement patterns and genetics of Alligator Lizards at the I90 Snoqualmie Pass East Wildlife Overcrossing.
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Anne Tolo B.S., Biology, Pacific Lutheran University Researching: The social hierarchies in crickets Mentor: Dr. Lixing Sun |
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Omar Torres B.S., Environmental Science, Specialization in Natural Resource Management Researching: Trout monitoring for the I90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Mentor: Dr. Paul James |
| 2020-2021 Cohort | |
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Jasmine Ruiz B.S., Biology, Ecology and Evolution Emphasis, Washington State University Researching: Analysis of Clark's Nutcracker Diets Using Stable Isotopes Mentor: Dr. Allison Scoville |
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J. Shah B.S., Biology, Central Washington University Researching: Microplastic prevalence in freshwater ecosystems Mentor: Dr. Clay Arango |
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Aimee Taylor B.S., Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. University of California, Davis Researching: Bull trout movement and migration patterns in Lake Kachess. Mentor Dr. Paul James |
| 2019-2020 Cohort | |
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Cortnea Austin Mentor: Dr. Ian Quitadamo |
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Jenna Chapman B.S., Earth & Environmental Science, Washington State University Researching: small mammal ecology on the 1-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project Mentor: Dr. Kris Ernest |
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Rachel Davey Mentor: Dr. April Binder |
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José Garrido B.S., Ecology, Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Appalachian State University. Researching: Two distinct populations of Jalisco Mud Turtles (Kinosternon chimalhuaca), and tracking them to understand the differences within their population structures to determine their movement ecology in Mexican neotropical dry forests. Mentor: Dr. Dan Beck |
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Jocelyn Wensloff B.S., Environmental Science, Freshwater Ecology Emphasis, Western Washington University Researching: Pacific lamprey and their ecological role in transporting marine derived nutrients. Mentor: Dr. Clay Arango |
2018-2019 Cohort |
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Josh Johnson B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: social mobility, behavioral biology, olfactory communication and group decision making. Mentor: Dr. Lixing Sun |
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Danielle Kuchler B.S., Biology Teaching, Central Washington University Researching: science education, critical thinking, multidisciplinary teaching strategies. Mentor: Dr. Ian Quitadamo |
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Alex McCarrel B.S., Environmental Studies, Linfield College Researching: Fry emergence and ensuing juvenile development of Kokanee Salmon in the presence of North American beaver dams. Mentor: Dr. Paul James |
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Anneliese Myers B.S. Biology and B.A. Chemistry, Whitworth University Researching: The effect of landscape fragmentation on amphibian populations. Mentor: Dr. Jason Irwin |
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Jim Robertson B.S., Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Washington State University Researching: Microbiome of common hops, Humulus lupulus. Mentor: Dr. Alison Scoville |
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Jordan Ryckman B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Small mammal monitoring on the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project. Specifically, genetic diversity and habitat preference of shrews. Mentor: Dr. Kris Ernest |
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Lauren Segarra B.S., Bio/Ecology, Appalachian State University Researching: Physiological traits of drought and nutrient stressed sunflower. Mentor: Dr. Jenny Dechaine |
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Nick Werner B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Effects of induced polycystic ovary syndrome in NAG-1 transgenic mice. Mentor: Dr. April Binder |
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Dana Whitmore B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Ectomycorrhizal diversity in soils on and around the I-90 wildlife crossing structure. Mentor: Dr. Jim Johnson |
| 2017-2018 Cohort | |
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Katie Boyd B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Serotonin signaling and adaptation in C. elegans. Mentor: Dr. Lucinda Carnell |
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Naomi Bryant B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Endogenous gene tagging of pfr2 and pfr5 in Trypanosoma cruzi using CRISPR/Cas9. Mentor: Dr. Gabrielle Stryker |
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David Farr B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Development of software for genome-wide statistical analysis, comparison of evolutionary divergence, and epigenetic mechanisms associated with plant defense in E. guttata. Mentor: Dr. Alison Scoville |
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Thomas McIntyre B.S., Environmental Science, Northeastern University Researching: Stress levels of pikas along the I-90 corridor of the Central Cascade Range. Mentor: Dr. Kris Ernest |
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Enrique Reyes B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: The validity of the assumption that the stool microbiome is an adequate proxy for intestinal microbial composition, by comparing the microbial communities of different portions of the gut and stool using 16s rDNA data. Mentor: Dr. Holly Pinkart |
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Bikesh Shrestha B.A. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cornell College Researching: Effects of 5 a-Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on mice gut microbiome -- a study of sex differences and hormonal effects on gut microbiome composition. Mentor: Dr. Holly Pinkart |
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Mark Young B.S., Biological Sciences, and B.A., Music, Central Washington University Researching: Effects of microbiome assemblage on plant productivity and stress tolerance in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Mentor: Dr. Mary Poulson |
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Victoria McPherson B.S., Microbiology, University of Washington Researching: Evaluation of anthelmintic properties and toxicity of pure compounds isolated from Dalea Spp. (Plantae: Fabaceae). Mentor: Dr. Blaise Dondji |
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| 2016-2017 Cohort | |
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Frank Addeo B.A., Studio Art, Marist College Researching: Yeast biodiversity, natural history, and fermentation characteristics in brewing. Mentor: Dr. Steve Wagner Frank is the Director of the Craft Brewing and Distilling Program at South Puget Sound Community College |
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JD Brooks B.S., Biology, Southern Oregon University Thesis: Coloration, camouflage, and sexual dichromatism in the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Mentor: Dr. Dan Beck |
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Casey Croshaw B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University M.S., Biology, Central Washington University (Winter 2017) Thesis: Characterizing Low nutrient stress resistance in crop sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). Mentor: Dr. Jenny Dechaine Casey is a Biological Science Technician for the U.S. Forest Service. |
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Logan Kral B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Entomology and plant pathology; cold-tolerance of insects. Mentor: Dr. Jason Irwin |
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Zach Lessig B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Western Spruce Budworm as a resource subsidy to stream salmonids. Mentor: Dr. Clay Arango |
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Alan McNolty B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Antibody-dependent enhancement of visceral leishmaniasis. Mentor: Dr. Gabrielle Stryker |
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Lindsay Millward B.S. Biology, Belmont University Thesis: Small mammal microhabitat use and species composition at a wildlife crossing structure compared with nearby forest. Mentor: Dr. Kris Ernest |
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Troy Peterson B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: The behavior and ecology of the Colorado Checkered Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis neotesselata) in Washington State. Mentor: Dr. David Darda |
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Caitlin Wilkes B.S., Biological Science, University of Missouri, Rolla Researching: Sea Star Wasting Disease Mentor: Dr. Lixing Sun |
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| 2015-2016 Cohort | |
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Therese Balkenbush B.S., Biology, Southern Oregon University Thesis: Using plastome data to resolve lower level relationships in gymnosperms. Mentor: Dr. Linda Raubeson |
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Corey Brumbaugh B.S. Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Thesis: Life In The Dirt. Corey is a Pest Control Technician at Crazy Frog Pest Control, Tri-Cities, WA. |
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Joey Chase B.S., Natural Resources, Cornell University Thesis: Impacts of wildfires on rattlesnake growth and movement. |
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Jacob Darley B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: Phage therapy, specifically the efficacy of bacteriophage treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. |
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Izak Neziri B.S., Biology Teaching, Central Washington University Researching: Stream ecology, ecosystems Izak currently teaches at Olympic High School in Bremerton, WA. |
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Connor Parrish B.S., Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University Thesis: Shedding light on urban streams: the impact of buried stream sections on Brook Trout movement in an urban ecosystem. Connor is a Project Manager at Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group. |
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Brandon Rossi B.S. Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Researching: avian and terrestrial ecology Brandon is a Junior Biologist at Stell Environmental (Yakima Training Center). |
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Naomi Sibayan B.S., Biological Sciences, Central Washington University Thesis: Cold tolerance, diapause, and survival of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorphia halys). Naomi is currently a Temporary Research Associate II at Synthetic Genomics. |
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How To Apply
New students are normally accepted for entry in the fall of our academic year (mid-September). Applications for fall quarter priority admission and assistantships are due by February 1st. Admission is a two-step process. Applicants must first meet the general requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. This includes a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (in the last 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours). If applicable, please also read the School of Graduate Studies and Research information for international students before applying.
Applicants must then meet the specific requirements of the Department of Biological Sciences:
- An undergraduate degree in biology or closely related field. Deficiencies in the student’s undergraduate training as determined by the Department of Biological Sciences at the time of admission to the program must be removed without graduate credit during the first year of graduate study.
- A faculty member must be willing to serve as the applicant’s graduate faculty advisor. Prior to completing your application, contact prospective faculty advisors to ask if they are interested in taking new students.
Please Note: GRE scores are no longer required by The Department of Biological Sciences.
All applications go through the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
A complete application for Biology will include the following:
- CWU School of Graduate Studies and Research Application (including $75 application fee; waivers are available).
- Statement of objectives. The Statement of Objectives is limited to 500 words and serves as a sample of your writing abilities.
Please address the following points within your statement:
What is your motivation for seeking a graduate degree in Biology and how will a M.S. in Biology help you reach your career goals?
Describe your research interests in Biology, indicate potential faculty advisor/s, and describe previous research experience and any relevant skills or training.
Provide an example of how you have shown persistence in overcoming obstacles to reach an academic or career objective you set for yourself.
3. Letters of recommendation (3)
4. Official transcripts
5. Curriculum Vitae (academic resume)
6. English proficiency for international students for whom English is a second language. Several options are available to satisfy this requirement. Please see: http://www.cwu.edu/masters/prospective-international-students#english
FAQ
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Contact Us
For further information about our graduate program, please contact:
Dr. Jason Irwin
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Biology
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7537
Irwinj@cwu.edu