Biological Sciences at WSU Tri-Cities

Biology Program Director: Dr. R. Gene Schreckhise

Biology Program Coordinator: Carol Coker

Adjunct Faculty: Charles Brandt, Lezlie Couch, Michael Crowder, Dennis Dauble, Janelle Downs, David Geist, Kathleen McGrath, William Rickard, Lee Rogers, Sally Simmons, John Strand, Dennis Strenge, Burton Vaughan

Affiliate Professor: Antone Brooks, Gene Schreckhise

Associate Scientist: Steven Link - Shrub Steppe Web page

Undergraduate Program

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Options: General Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

NOTE: Extension of the existing BS Biology degree to the Tri-Cities campus is being requested, but is not yet authorized. Sufficient upper division coursework is currently available at the Tri-Cities campus to complete the requirements for this degree as listed in the Washington State University Catalog.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit formal applications and official transcripts of all college work. Because WSU Tri-Cities offers only upper division courses, students contemplating a science degree must complete lower division coursework at a community college or other 4 year college/university and transfer these credits to WSU. Students should consult the WSU science advisor to ensure appropriate course selection.

Degree Requirements

A total of 120 credit hours are required for the Bachelor of Science in Biology.  Of these credit hours, a minimum of 40 must be 300-400-level, and a minimum of 40 must be in biological sciences. This is a rigorous program requiring courses in chemistry, physics, calculus and statistics, in addition to biology.

Students must also meet the WSU General Education Requirements, some of which are typically transfered from a community college or university.  The College of Sciences has additional requirements, which includes foreign language.  The foreign language requirement is satisfied by two years of one foreign language in high school or one year in college.

Minor in Biology

Students interested in obtaining a Minor in Biology must take a minimum of 20 hours in biology courses, including Biol 106, 107, 301 and 8 additional hours at the 300-level or above.  No more than 2 hours in Biol 495, 495 or 499 may be included in the 20 hours. At least 10 credit hours must be earned in residence at WSU.

Graduate Program

Master of Science in Biology

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate program in biology is based on satisfying the requirements for admission to the WSU Graduate School and the School of Biological Sciences. Applicants must submit formal applications, departmental application supplements, official transcripts of all college work, three letters of recommendation, and scores of the general aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination.

A basic background in biological sciences is necessary for admission along with supporting course work in the physical sciences including mathematics (up through calculus), organic chemistry, introductory biochemistry, and general physics.

Degree Requirements

Graduate degrees are research degrees. Students are expected to conduct research under the direction of an advisory committee. The Master of Science in Biology is a multi-disciplinary degree program at WSU Tri-Cities; students may obtain this degree entirely through studies at WSU Tri-Cities. Degree requirements include a total of 30 semester hours including fulfillment of the thesis requirement. A minimum of 21 semester hours must be in graded course work. A minimum of 9 semester hours of Biol 700 credit is required. No more than 3 semester hours of 300-level course work may be included, and these can only be in supporting work outside the major area.

The Masters Committee

Unlike the BS degree, the MS degree does not have a prescribed course of study. The graduate program is structured around the interaction of the student with a faculty committee that advises the student on coursework and examines the student for evidence of advanced learning and competency. Therefore, the key to a successful graduate experience is appropriate selection of an advisory committee. The student needs to become familiar with faculty members who can serve on the committee. In particular, the student will first select a Committee Chair who can help the student in completing the committee. A minimum of three faculty members form the committee, and two of these faculty must be members of the graduate faculty. Additional regulations on Masters committees can be obtained from the Graduate School and from academic departments which may have requirements in addition to those of the Graduate School.

Thesis and Non-thesis Options

Study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Biology is offered at WSU Tri-Cities. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. A thesis generally involves conduct of a project involving field and/or laboratory research under the direction of the student's committee. It is preferred that the thesis report be developed as a submittable scientific journal paper. The non-thesis option requires completion of a special project which may be an in-depth review of scientific literature pertaining to the student's area of interest. The student chooses the option and the committee sets the criteria for successful completion.

Research Focus Areas

The focus area of the Masters degree depends on the faculty available to direct the student. Terrestrial and aquatic ecology are currently active areas and a new emphasis in systems biology is being developed (follow the link for further information).

Some courses may be available over the Washington Higher Education Telecommunication System (WHETS).

Courses

Course hours are after title. Some courses may be available over the Washington Higher Education Telecommunication System (WHETS).

School of Biological Sciences - Biol

Undergraduate

330 [B] Principles of Conservation 3
332 Systematic Botany 4 (2-6)
353 Mammalian Physiology 4 (3-3)
372 General Ecology 4 (3-3)
405 Principles of Organic Evolution 3
411 Limnology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management 3
412 Biology and Management of Fishes 3(2-3)
413 Fish Ecology 3
423 Ornithology 4 (2-6)
428 Mammalogy 4 (2-6)
438 Animal Behavior 3 (2-3)
440 Stable Isotope Theory and Methods 3 (2-3)
460 Plant Ecophysiology 3
462 Community Ecology 3
463 Field Ecology 2 (0-6)
465 Field Stream Ecology 2
480 Writing in Biology 2
495 Internship in Biology V 2-4
499 Special Problems V 1-4

Graduate

505 Principles of Organic Evolution 3
530 Statistical Ecology 4 (2-6)
538 Animal Behavior 3 (2-3)
560 Plant Ecophysiology 3
562 Community Ecology 3
563 Field Ecology 2 (0-6)
600 Special Projects or Independent Study
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination

Electron Microscopy - E Mic
507 Electron Microscopy Laboratory 4(2-6)
586 Special Projects in Electron Microscopy 2(0-6) or 3(0-9)
587 Special Topics in Electron Microscopy 1

Environmental Science - ESRP
404 The Ecosystem 3
504 Ecosystem Management 3

School of Molecular Biosciences - MBioS
301 General Genetics 4
303 Introductory Biochemistry 4
401 Introduction to Cell Biology 3

Natural Resource Sciences - NATRS
301 Forest Plants and EcosystemsI 3 (2-3)
302 Arid Land Plants and Ecosystems 3 (2-3)
450 Conservation Biology 3

For more information contact:

Carol Coker
West 263B
WSU Tri-Cities
2710 University Drive
Richland, WA 99354-1671
(509) 372-7306

Dr. Gene Schreckhise
West 263A
WSU Tri-Cities
2710 University Drive
Richland, WA 99354-1671

(509) 372-7323

Links: