Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program

The Department offers a Master of Science degree in Biology. The program provides an expanded opportunity for students to prepare themselves for biological careers not normally open to students with only an undergraduate major in biological sciences, prepares students for further graduate work leading to the Ph.D. degree, and allows students to meet the requirements for continuing certification in secondary education while concurrently earning an M.S. degree in Biology. We offer both thesis and non-thesis options; most students pursue the thesis option.

Several faculty members in our department also serve as thesis committee members for students in the Resource Management graduate program. The M.S. program in Resource Management is intended to provide skills in management, budgetary assessment, policy analysis and formulation, and resource appraisal to students with prior education and experience in resource related technical fields. The Natural Resource Management track focuses on the management of land, water, energy, and other natural resources.

Admission into the Graduate Program within the Department of Biological Sciences is competitive. You can do several things to improve your chances of acceptance. First, before applying, contact a member of the faculty with whom you share scientific interest. Although many faculty maintain active research programs, not all accept graduate students each year, so even the very best application will be unsuccessful if mistimed. Second, if the faculty member is accepting students, send them information about your academic background and career interest. At the minimum, this information should include your undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, relevant work experience, and career goals. If you live nearby, consider a campus visit. Only after you have made contact with a member of the faculty do we recommend sending your formal graduate application to the university. Applications received from prospective students who have not made contact with a member of the faculty are rarely successful.

Master's candidates receiving their diplomas during the graduation ceremony at Central Washington University, June 2005. Back row: Robert Weaver, Biology; Nate Palmatier, Chemistry; Yinshan Jia, Chemistry; Front row: Dawn Myers-Evert, Biology; Jennifer Key, Chemistry; Lyssa Sakaley, Biology.