Biology Graduate Program
Biology Grad Program Contact:
Graduate Program Advisor
Department of Biology
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225-9160
Admission and Application Procedure
There are no rigid prerequisites for admission, and the program will accept graduate students with specialization in any area of biology, as well as other disciplines. However, students entering the program will usually have a background in the biological sciences, such as cell biology, molecular biology, botany, zoology, physiology, genetics, ecology, and/or biostatistics.
Incoming graduate students are expected to have the course preparation that is equivalent to a typical bachelor's degree in biology as described in Western's catalog. Deficiencies in these areas may be remedied by coursework.
Application Procedure
Submit your application online through the Graduate School's website portal. In addition to the online application, applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, three letters of reference, and a letter of intent describing research interests and identifying potential faculty advisors. Prospective students should contact potential graduate faculty advisors before applying.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are NOT required.
Application priority deadline: February 1
Admission quarter: Fall
Prospective Graduate Student Information
Prospective students should contact Biology Graduate Faculty members about being a potential advisor before applying to the program. Faculty who are accepting students for Fall 2026 are listed below.
Visit the prospective student page to learn about Biology Graduate Faculty who will accept students for Fall 2026: Prospective Graduate Student Information.
Program of Graduate Study
The Master of Science degree in Biology is a thesis-based program 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 their specific needs and objectives.
Each graduate student has a thesis committee comprised of their faculty advisor as chair and two additional faculty members. The committee serves to direct and advise the graduate student in research and thesis writing. Faculty in related departments such as Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, and Math may serve on thesis committees, enabling graduate students to pursue interdisciplinary research. Thesis research ranges over a broad spectrum of topics reflecting the strengths and interests of the 24-member Biology Graduate Faculty.
Two years are usually needed for completion of the program of study. Information about program requirements are available in Western's catalog.
Faculty interests span four program areas:
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Biology
- Organismal Biology
Visit the Faculty Directory to find out more about our faculty's research.
We are happy to work with students whose interests span multiple realms of biology to develop interdisciplinary research. In those situations, having co-advisors from different fields is often beneficial.
Marine and Estuarine Science M.S.
In addition to the Master of Science in Biology, a Master of Science in Biology, Marine, and Estuarine Science (MESP) degree option is available within the Biology Graduate Program. This cooperative program draws upon faculty expertise from various academic units including the Biology Department, College of the Environment, and 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. Additional program information is available on the MESP webpage.
Financial Support
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available to the most promising applicants, renewable for up to six quarters of support, depending on satisfactory performance as a laboratory instructor. In addition, some Biology graduate students have been supported by faculty research grants, summer teaching assistantships, and internal fellowships.
The Biology Department strives to support students while they complete their graduate studies. Research and travel assistance can be requested to help defray costs. We encourage students to reserve some support for travel, so they can present their work at a meeting or conference before they graduate. Students are responsible for the management of their research awards.
Visit Research & Travel Support for more information.
The University Environment
Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, a city of 97,000 in the northwestern corner of the state, near the Canadian border. WWU has an enrollment over 14,500 students and is organized into six undergraduate Colleges, a College of Education and a Graduate School. The hilltop campus of 180 acres combines a stunning blend of art and nature with views of the San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains. The backdrop for the campus is Sehome Hill Arboretum, featuring a 135-acre coniferous forest. The natural setting of the campus and its award-winning architecture make Western Washington University a stimulating and enjoyable place for work and study.
Within the region are three national parks (North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, and Olympic), three national forests, and hundreds of miles of marine shoreline within Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Three freshwater lakes are in close proximity to campus. The sagebrush desert and grasslands of Central Washington are easily accessible via three scenic mountain passes.
Excellent recreational facilities are available at nearby scenic state parks: Birch Bay, Larrabee, and Deception Pass, as well as at the Mt. Baker ski area.
For a small city, it boasts a multitude of parks and a diverse array of restaurants and a ready supply of fresh organic produce at a cooperative grocery, as well as two farmers markets. In addition, the large metropolitan cities of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle (WA) and Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), each about 90 minutes from Bellingham, offer extraordinary cultural activities and shopping opportunities.