Biology, MS

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Program Coordinator
James Johnson, PhD
Science Building, room 338J

Program Requirements
The coursework leading to the master of science in biological sciences will total at least 45 credits in the biological sciences and related subjects as outlined in an approved course of study filed with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The individual’s program of coursework and thesis problem will be developed in consultation with the student’s major advisor and other members of the student’s graduate committee. Two quarters in residence are required.

Examinations
Candidates must pass an oral examination covering topics in their area of specialization and coursework taken for their degree at least one quarter prior to graduation. The final examination will consist of a public seminar to present the results of the thesis or project research as well as an oral exam administered by the student’s thesis committee covering aspects of the thesis research.

MS Biology Core Requirements

BIOL 501 - Research Methods and Techniques Credits: (4)
BIOL 502 - Research Proposal Presentations Credits: (2)
BIOL 505 - Current Topics in Biology Credits: (2) (Must be taken for 6 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.)

Total Core Credits: 30

Department-approved electives - Credits: 15

Total Credits: 45

Biological Sciences Department Graduate Information

College of the Sciences
Ellensburg
Science Building, room 338
Mail Stop 7537
509-963-2731
Fax: 509-963-2730
www.cwu.edu/biology
See website for how this program may be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Tom R. Cottrell, PhD

Professors
Daniel D. Beck, PhD, physiological ecology and herpetology
Tom R. Cottrell, PhD, plant ecology
David M. Darda, PhD, evolutionary vertebrate morphology, herpetology
Kristina A. Ernest, PhD, terrestrial and community ecology
Paul W. James, PhD, ecology and fisheries biology
James E. Johnson, PhD, mycology, systematics
Sheldon R. Johnson, PhD, zoophysiology, mammalogy (emeritus)
Robert E. Pacha, PhD, microbiology (emeritus)
Holly C. Pinkart, PhD, microbiology, microbial ecology
Mary E. Poulson, PhD, plant physiology
Wayne S. Quirk, PhD, sensation and perception, neuroscience
Ian J. Quitadamo, PhD, science education, cell and molecular biology
Linda A. Raubeson, PhD, evolutionary biology and genetics
Stamford D. Smith, PhD, entomology (emeritus,)
Gabrielle Stryker, PhD, microbiology, immunology and parasitology
Lixing Sun, PhD, behavioral ecology and evolution

Associate Professors
Lucinda Carnell, PhD, molecular behavioral genetics
Jason T. Irwin, PhD, animal physiology
R. Steven Wagner, PhD, conservation genetics and herpetological science

Assistant Professors
Clay Arango, PhD, stream ecology and nitrogen biogeochemistry
April Binder, PhD, molecular developmental biology
Jennifer Dechaine, PhD, plant biology
Blaise Dondji, PhD, human physiology, microbiology, parasitology, immunology
Alison Scoville, PhD, ecological and evolutionary genomics

Lecturers
Lucy Bottcher, PhD, ecologist, herpetologist
Raymon Donahue, PhD, plant physiological ecology

Staff
Emil Babik, engineering technician
Jonathan Betz, instructional classroom support technician
Mary Bottcher, instructional classroom support technician supervisor
Eric Foss, instructional classroom support technician
Mary Knirck, secretary senior
Kariann Linnell, secretary supervisor
Jeff Wilcox, engineering technician
Mark Young, research technologist I

Program Description
The graduate program in biology is designed to provide training and expertise for those needing a terminal degree for entry-level biological science positions in state, federal, and tribal agencies, as well as for positions in private industry or teaching at the secondary or community college level. It serves other students by providing them with the skills and techniques required for further graduate study beyond the MS degree. Students considering further graduate study should work closely with their major advisor to design a program of coursework that meets the requirements for PhD programs. Graduate students in biology may tailor their program to emphasize a specific discipline within the biological sciences.

Admission
Admission is a two-step process. Applicants must first meet the general requirements for graduate study as determined by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, and then the specific requirements of the Department of Biological Sciences. Items needed to enroll:

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.
Students must submit GRE scores for the general test. Students applying to the masters in biology with a specialization in biomedical sciences may substitute MCAT scores for GRE scores.
International students for whom English is a second language must provide TOEFL scores to demonstrate English proficiency.
Students must arrange for a graduate faculty advisor in the Department of Biological Sciences to serve as their major advisor.

College of the Sciences Information

Administration and Organization

Dean
Tim Englund, PhD (Dean Hall, room 130)

Associate Dean
Mike Harrod (Dean Hall, room 130)

Associate Dean
Martha Kurtz, PhD (Dean Hall, room 130)

Staff
Brad Weekly, development officer
Velma Henry, administrative assistant
Cindy Klein, fiscal specialist
Janis Orthmann, administrative assistant
Colleen Falconer, program coordinator
Dannica Price, event coordinator

Mail Stop 7519
509-963-1866
Fax: 509-963-1977
www.cwu.edu/sciences

The College of the Sciences (COTS) is comprised of 13 departments and 12 interdisciplinary programs representing disciplines in the behavioral, natural, and social sciences, and mathematics. The departments and programs of the college offer undergraduate baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees, minors that supplement other degree programs, and a comprehensive range of service coursework. As an essential part of its mission, the college offers an extensive general education curriculum. The departments play a major role in Central’s Teacher Certification Programs, offering bachelors and master’s degrees for students preparing to be secondary teachers and providing coursework in educational foundations and discipline-specific content and methods.

Departments within the college are committed to teaching excellence, active engagement by faculty in research, scholarship and professional service activities, student involvement in research, community service, and employing practical applications of academic specializations.

Departments
All departments offer baccalaureate degree programs and, in some cases, minors, educational specialist degrees and master’s degrees. In addition to consulting department/program headings in this catalog, students are encouraged to contact individual departments and program offices directly.

Anthropology and Museum Studies: Kathleen Barlow, PhD, Dean Hall, room 356, 509-963-3201
Biological Sciences: James Johnson, PhD, Science Building, room 338, 509-963-2731
Chemistry: Levente Fabry-Asztalos, PhD, Science Building, room 302, 509-963-2811
Computer Science: Aaron Montgomery, PhD, Hebeler Hall, room 219, 509-963-1495
Geography: John Bowen, PhD, Dean Hall, room 301, 509-963-1188
Geological Sciences: Carey Gazis, PhD, Lind Hall, room 108B, 509-963-2701
Law and Justice: James Huckabay, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 300, 509-963-3208
Mathematics: Stuart Boersma, PhD, Bouillon Hall, room 108, 509-963-2103
Physics: Bruce Palmquist, PhD, Lind Hall, room 201A, 509-963-2727
Political Science: Todd Schaefer, PhD, Psychology Building, room 415, 509-963-2408
Psychology: Stephanie Stein, PhD, Psychology Building, room 421, 509-963-2381
Science Education: Bruce Palmquist, PhD, Science Building, room 107, 509-963-2929
Sociology: Delores Cleary, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 409, 509-963-1305

Interdisciplinary Programs
These programs offer specialized coursework, interdisciplinary baccalaureate majors or minors, master’s degrees or research, and public service functions.

American Indian Studies: Toni Culjak, PhD, Language and Literature, room 408D, 509-963-1531
Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education: Martha Kurtz, PhD, Dean Hall, room 130, 509-963-2135
Environmental Studies: Carey Gazis, PhD, Lind Hall, room 108B, 509-963-2701
or Pam McMullin-Messier, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 441, 509-963-2222
Ethnic Studies: Nelson Pichardo, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 440, 509-963-1348
Interdisciplinary Studies - Social Sciences: Steve Schepman, PhD, Psychology Building, room 429, 509-963-2389
Museum of Culture and Environment: Mark Auslander, PhD, Dean Hall, room 334, 509-963-3209
Primate Behavior and Ecology Program: Lori Sheeran, PhD, Dean Hall, room 335, 509-963-1434
Resource Management Program: Karl Lillquist, PhD, Dean Hall, room 319, 509-963-1184
or Steve Hackenberger, PhD, Dean Hall, room 349, 509-963-3224
Science Talent Expansion Program (STEP): Lucinda Carnell, PhD, Science, room 338G, 509-963-2821
Women’s and Gender Studies: Judith Hennessey, PhD, Farrell Hall, room 436, 509-963-1574

Affiliated Centers and Institutes
Center for Spatial Information and Research: Anthony Gabriel, PhD, Dean Hall, room 320, 509-963-1166
Center for the Environment: Anne Johnasen, PhD, Science, room 207D, 509-963-2164
Central Washington Archaeological Survey, Anthropology: Patrick McCutcheon, PhD, Dean Hall, room 340, 509-963-2075
or Steve Hackenberger, PhD, Dean Hall, room 349, 509-963-3224
Community Counseling and Psychological Assessment Center: Heath Marrs, PhD, Psychology Building, room 346, 509-963-2349
or Elizabeth Haviland, PhD, Psychology Building, room 118, 509-963-2371
Geodesy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array (PANGA) Data Analysis Facility: Tim Melbourne, PhD, Hebeler Hall, room 110A, 509-963-2799
Health Career Resources: Keith Monosky, PhD, Dorothy Purser Hall, room 108, 509-963-1145