Biology Graduate Program

Degrees Offered

The graduate program leading to a thesis-based Master of Science degree in Biology is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge in advanced biology and the opportunity to conduct creative and independent research. Each student develops a flexible course of study individually arranged to meet his or her specific needs and objectives.

The major professor and two other faculty members comprise the thesis committee, and they serve to direct and advise the graduate student in research and writing the results of the thesis topic. Faculty in related departments such as Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, and Math may serve on thesis committees, enabling graduate students to pursue interdisciplinary research.

In addition to the Biology M.S. degree, a Marine and Estuarine Science M.S. degree option is available within the Biology M.S. Program (www.ac.wwu.edu/~mesp/). This cooperative program draws upon faculty expertise from various academic units including the Biology Department, Huxley College of the Environment, and the Shannon Point Marine Center.

Students graduating from this program have an understanding of coastal marine and estuarine environments, biota and topical management issues, and fundamental biological, chemical and physical oceanographic processes.

GRADUATE COURSES IN BIOLOGY
The Biology Graduate Program offers numerous graduate courses, in topics ranging from developmental biology to biological oceanography. The core graduate curriculum features courses that provide training in teaching, giving scientific presentations, and developing research projects.

Other courses may be taken from the Huxley College of Environmental Studies, the Department of Chemistry, and other supporting disciplines. See the WWU Catalog (http://www.wwu.edu/depts/gradschool/catalog/index.shtml) for a complete listing of regularly-scheduled graduate courses.