Biology Master of Science
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 you 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). You are mentored through the process of conducting original, independent research by your faculty advisor and thesis committee members. We support two thesis formats: a traditional thesis, and a journal-ready manuscript option.
Biology Graduate Student Handbook
Examples of Biology Graduate Student Research
See recent Biology Theses in the CWU Digital Commons Repository
Admission is a two-step process:
First, you must 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. All applications go through the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Then, you must 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.
A complete application to the Department of Biological Sciences will include the following:
- CWU School of Graduate Studies and Research Application (including $75 application fee; waivers are available).
- A Statement of Objectives: The statement 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.
- Letters of recommendation (3)
- Official transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (academic resume)
- English proficiency for international students for whom English is a second language. There are several options available to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
MS Biology Core Requirements
- BIOL 501 - Research Methods and Techniques Credits: (2)
- BIOL 502 - Research Proposal Presentations Credits: (2)
- BIOL 505 - Current Topics in Biology Credits: (2) (Must be taken for 4 credits)
- BIOL 595 - Graduate Research Credits: (1-10) (Must be taken for 10 credits)
- BIOL 602 - Research Presentations Credits: (2)
- BIOL 700 - Master’s Thesis, Project Study, and/or Examination Credits: (1-6) (Must be taken for 6 credits)
Online Availability
The program does not have a designated online only option.
Program Code: BIOLG
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