Program Description: The goals of the biology program are to teach students advanced topics and to provide them an experience in conducting original research (M.S.). This instruction prepares students for one of the following: teaching in secondary schools (M.A.Ed., M.A.T.) or community colleges (M.A.Ed.), working as professional biologists (M.S.), or moving on to doctoral programs (M.S.).

Graduate students work with faculty whose research interests include aquatic ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, ecosystem modeling, ecology, floristics, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, parasitology, plant development, plant physiology, plant systematics, and population genetics. Students with an interest in biodiversity may pursue an emphasis in the program.

The department maintains research affiliations with the Mountain Aquaculture Research Center, Highlands Biological Station, International Biosphere Reserves, and national forests and parks within the region.

Further, special opportunities exist for a biochemistry option as well as a cooperative Ph.D. with Bowman Gray School of Medicine.

Information on the M.A.Ed. and M.A.T. programs can be found in the College of Education and Allied Professions.

Admission Requirements

• Graduate School Admission Requirements
• Program Admission Requirements 
  • GRE General Exam
  • Candidates must hold an undergraduate major or minor in biology with appropriate supporting courses in other sciences
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in junior-senior level courses in the major
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • M.A.Ed. in Comprehensive Education - Biology applicants must hold or be eligible for the North Carolina "A" license in biology
  • MS in Biology applicants must submit (as part of the online application) a statement of purpose which includes: identification and discussion of the main area of biology in which the applicant is interested; the names of two faculty with whom the applicant desires to perform theses research in that area.

Application Deadline: None

Prerequisites: None

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Number of Graduate Faculty: 10

Number of Students: 25

Location of Course Offerings: Cullowhee

Graduate Program Director:
Dr. Sabine Rundle
Department of Biology
828-227-3783
rundle@email.wcu.edu

Related Websites:

• Biology Department
• Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) - Graduate Catalog Information
• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) - Graduate Catalog Information
• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) - Program Coordinator's page