{"id":1085,"date":"2019-04-15T23:59:16","date_gmt":"2019-04-16T06:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/?page_id=1085"},"modified":"2026-06-16T12:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T19:51:47","slug":"biology-ms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/biology\/biology-ms\/","title":{"rendered":"Biology (MS)"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":423,"featured_media":0,"parent":745,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1085","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","page_tags-biology","page_tags-degree"],"acf":{"primary_content_copy":"<h2>About<\/h2>\n<p>The Master of Science in Biology Program provides a demanding and rewarding experience in biology, leading to competent scholarship and research capability. The department emphasizes research as a basic component of graduate study. A variety of research specialties are available within the department, including aquatic and riparian ecology, fisheries biology, embryology, physiology, exercise physiology, wildlife biology, mycology, plant ecology, microbiology and immunology. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/biology\/faculty-staff\/\">contact page<\/a> provides more information on faculty research interests.<\/p>\n<p>Graduates of the biology program either continue in PhD programs, or are employed in various biological fields with federal, state, tribal and local agencies, environmental consulting firms, private conservation organizations, public and private schools or private industry. For more information, see our <a href=\"#careers\">careers section below<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/apply.ewu.edu\/register\/biology\">Request Info<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"#application\">Application Requirements and Essays<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"#curriculum\">Curriculum &amp; Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n","background":{"ID":2709,"id":2709,"title":"SeedBankSamples","filename":"seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","filesize":783942,"url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/biology\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006\/","alt":"Seed growing samples in the greenhouse","author":"423","description":"","caption":"","name":"seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":745,"date":"2019-07-22 21:59:31","modified":"2019-08-26 23:27:17","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":2560,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006-225x300.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006-768x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006-768x1024.jpg","large-width":768,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","1536x1536-width":1152,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","2048x2048-width":1536,"2048x2048-height":2048,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":225,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":300,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":300,"gform-image-choice-md-height":400,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/07\/seed-bank-samples-ewugreenhouse_2006.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":450,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":600}},"title":"Master of Science in <br>","bold_title":"Biology","content":"","secondary_nav_menu_type":"menu","secondary_nav_menu":"biology","blocks":[{"acf_fc_layout":"copy-with-image","layout":"small-image","show_left":false,"module_background_color":"off-white","title":"Student Spotlight","copy":"<p>Sam Caruso, a first-year student in the Master of Science in Biology program at Eastern Washington University, is studying the population dynamics of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the lower Pend Oreille River.<\/p>\n<p>EWU\u2019s applied learning opportunities are helping him develop expertise that can someday lead to work reintroducing salmon to the Spokane River and its tributaries.<\/p>\n<p>Caruso is building technical fisheries skills by designing and conducting field research while working alongside partners like the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and regional state and federal agencies.<\/p>\n<p>Those experiences are paired with leadership, as he serves as the vice president of EWU\u2019s American Fisheries Society student chapter, connecting undergraduate students to fieldwork and various professional opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/news\/scholarships-fuel-future-fisheries-science\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","image":{"ID":88104,"id":88104,"title":"Sam-Caruso-photo","filename":"Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","filesize":241443,"url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/biology\/biology-ms\/sam-caruso-photo\/","alt":"Sam Caruso holds a Westslope Cutthroat Trout","author":"1542","description":"","caption":"","name":"sam-caruso-photo","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1085,"date":"2026-03-25 23:43:16","modified":"2026-03-25 23:43:39","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1024,"height":794,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo-300x233.jpeg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":233,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo-768x596.jpeg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":596,"large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","large-width":1024,"large-height":794,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":794,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":794,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":233,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":310,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/Sam-Caruso-photo.jpeg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":465}},"youtube_video_id":"","video_orientation":"horizontal","image_alt":"Student Sam Caruso holds a Westslope Cutthroat Trout ","secondary_image":"Geo-texture-Red.svg","background_vertical_alignment":"center","background_horizontal_alignment":"center","background_crop":"chevron","component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Student Spotlight","identifier":"spotlight","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","module_background_color":"white","copy":"<h2>Application and Admission Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>Applicants to the MS in Biology must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree in biology, or related natural science, from an accredited college or university. Students, who have deficiencies for admission or deficiencies, as determined by their graduate committee, may be allowed to make up deficient course work while enrolled in graduate school.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prior to completing the application, find which faculty member shares your research interest by reviewing the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ewu.edu\/cstem\/departments\/biology\/biology-faculty-and-staff?mode=full\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biology Faculty page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Please contact the faculty member who shares your research interest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you wish to apply for a graduate teaching fellowship, all application materials must be completed by <strong>February 10th.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you have questions regarding the master&#8217;s program, please contact <a href=\"mailto:biologymasters@ewu.edu\">biologymasters@ewu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><b>Application Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bachelor&#8217;s degree from a regionally accredited university<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A calculated GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded post-secondary credits<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>All Applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Personal Statement: Please upload a two-page, double-spaced personal statement on your research and career goals and why you want to enter the biology MS program at EWU.<\/li>\n<li>You must provide contact information for two educational or professional references who have agreed to submit letters of recommendation for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Teaching Fellowship Applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A one-page Application Essay that describes the areas you would be most proficient as a biology teaching assistant and why. Please list any teaching assistantships or other teaching experience you may have. Please give dates, places and a description of your duties. If none, please enter none.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply\/graduate\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/p>\n","no_wrapper":false,"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Application Requirements and Essay Prompts","identifier":"application","navigable":true}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","module_background_color":"off-white","copy":"<h2>Applied Learning Opportunities<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-88600 img-fluid alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/48325116601_a1a21fc971_c-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/48325116601_a1a21fc971_c-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/48325116601_a1a21fc971_c-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/48325116601_a1a21fc971_c.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Applied Laboratory Work:<\/b>\u00a0Build practical, career-ready skills by working in labs that mirror professional lab environments.<b><\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Classroom-Based Applied Learning\/Simulation:<\/b> Practice decision-making through simulations, case studies, role playing, and other hands-on activities in the classroom.<\/li>\n<li><b>Community-Based Projects:<\/b>\u00a0Team up with local organizations on projects that allow you to solve problems and make a difference.<\/li>\n<li><b><b>Fellowship: <\/b><\/b>Enhance your learning with extended periods of full-time work as a professional researcher.<\/li>\n<li><b>Field Work: <\/b>Take your learning outside the classroom to research sites like wildlife refuges or field camps.<\/li>\n<li><b>Research:<\/b>\u00a0Collaborate with professors on real-world research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.<\/li>\n<li><b>Service-Learning Experiences:<\/b>\u00a0Work on critical issues\u2014such as food security, poverty, or climate change\u2014that connect community service with what you\u2019re learning in class.<\/li>\n<li><b>Student Employment &amp; Leadership at EWU:<\/b>\u00a0Gain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, athletics, or clubs.<\/li>\n<li><b>Volunteerism:<\/b>\u00a0Give back to your community while gaining experience, building connections, and seeing how you can apply your classroom knowledge to make an impact in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","no_wrapper":false,"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":true,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"catalog-degree","module_background_color":"off-white","degree_url":"https:\/\/catalog.ewu.edu\/stem\/biology\/biology-ms\/","show_curriculum_and_requirements":true,"replace_curriculum_and_requirements_text":false,"curriculum_and_requirements_replacement_text":"","show_general_education":false,"show_plan_of_study":true,"show_student_learning_outcomes":false,"additional_sections":false,"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Curriculum","identifier":"curriculum","navigable":true}},{"acf_fc_layout":"two-column-explicit","module_background_color":"white","include_header":true,"include_images":false,"intro_title":"Where Do Our Graduates Find Jobs?","intro_title_style":"h2","sub_heading":"Our graduates are employed throughout Washington and across the country! They often find jobs in the following areas:","intro_title_position":"centered","include_intro_copy":false,"intro_copy":"","columns":[{"image":false,"title":"Research Laboratories","heading_tag":"h3","show-hr":false,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Batelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory<\/li>\n<li>University of Washington Medical School<\/li>\n<li>Washington State University<\/li>\n<li>University of Iowa<\/li>\n<li>University of Idaho<\/li>\n<li>University of Arizona<\/li>\n<li>Rainier Clinical Research Center<\/li>\n<li>Hollister Stier<\/li>\n<li>Pfizer Pharmaceuticals<\/li>\n<li>Signature Genomics<\/li>\n<li>Darigold Quality Lab<\/li>\n<li>National Science Foundation Long-Term Ecological Research Lab<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"Education","heading_tag":"h3","show-hr":false,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>K-12 schools<\/li>\n<li>Everett Community College<\/li>\n<li>Spokane Community College<\/li>\n<li>Spokane Falls Community College<\/li>\n<li>Altus Oklahoma Community College<\/li>\n<li>Great Falls College of Technology<\/li>\n<li>Seattle Central College<\/li>\n<li>South Puget Sound Community College<\/li>\n<li>Eastern Washington University<\/li>\n<li>Whitworth College<\/li>\n<li>Gonzaga University<\/li>\n<li>University of Arizona<\/li>\n<li>Harper College<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"State &amp; Federal Agencies","heading_tag":"h3","show-hr":false,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Washington Department of Ecology<\/li>\n<li>Washington Department of Fish &amp; Wildlife (Olympia, Spokane, Yakima, and Tri-Cities)<\/li>\n<li>Kalispel Department of Natural Resources<\/li>\n<li>Wyoming Fish &amp; Game Department<\/li>\n<li>Oregon Department of Parks &amp; Recreation<\/li>\n<li>Idaho Department of Environmental Quality<\/li>\n<li>United States Forest Service<\/li>\n<li>United States Department of Fish &amp; Wildlife<\/li>\n<li>Bureau of Land Management<\/li>\n<li>Army Corps of Engineers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"Tribal Resource Management","heading_tag":"h3","show-hr":false,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Upper Columbia United Tribes<\/li>\n<li>Coeur d&#8217;Alene Tribe<\/li>\n<li>Colville Confederated Tribes<\/li>\n<li>Kalispel Tribe<\/li>\n<li>Nez Perce Tribe<\/li>\n<li>Spokane Tribe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"Private Conservation Organizations","heading_tag":"h3","show-hr":false,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Ducks Unlimited<\/li>\n<li>Pheasants Forever<\/li>\n<li>The Nature Conservancy<\/li>\n<li>Land Stewardship Programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"Other","heading_tag":"h3","show-hr":false,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Spokane Urban Forestry Program<\/li>\n<li>County Conservation Districts<\/li>\n<li>Syringa Ecological Consulting<\/li>\n<li>Private Plant Nursery Operator<\/li>\n<li>Veterinary Services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"}],"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"Careers","identifier":"careers","navigable":true}},{"acf_fc_layout":"two-column-explicit","module_background_color":"off-white","include_header":true,"include_images":false,"intro_title":"What Do Our Graduates Do?","intro_title_style":"h2","sub_heading":"Our graduates work in all sorts of areas! The following are just some of the jobs they have:","intro_title_position":"centered","include_intro_copy":false,"intro_copy":"","columns":[{"image":false,"title":"","heading_tag":"h2","show-hr":true,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Fisheries Biologist<\/li>\n<li>Water Quality Manager<\/li>\n<li>Veterinarian<\/li>\n<li>High School Teacher<\/li>\n<li>Interpretive Park Ranger<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"","heading_tag":"h2","show-hr":true,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Microbiology Lab Quality Control Specialist<\/li>\n<li>Land Stewardship Specialist<\/li>\n<li>Ecological Consultant<\/li>\n<li>Medical Technology Specialist<\/li>\n<li>Physical Therapist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"image":false,"title":"","heading_tag":"h2","show-hr":true,"copy":"<ul>\n<li>Community College Instructor<\/li>\n<li>Research Associate<\/li>\n<li>College\/University Faculty<\/li>\n<li>Game Warden<\/li>\n<li>Clinical Research Coordinator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"}],"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"What Do Our Graduates Do?","identifier":"graduates","navigable":true}}],"background_vertical_alignment":"center","background_image_type":"custom","component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},"page_hide_sidebar":false,"text_style":"regular","readability_aid":"overlay","page_enable_page_nav":true,"intro_title":"","page_override_title":"","page_persona_bar_default_tab":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/423"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1085"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88726,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1085\/revisions\/88726"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cstem\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}