Program Description  
 
Home > Program Description < Facililties and Resources | Graduate Financial Support
Tuition and Fees | Faculty | Graduate School Applications
The Marine and Estuarine Science Program is a specialization of existing graduate programs in the Biology Department and the Department of Environmental Sciences. Students participating in MESP must apply and be admitted through one of these departments. The application process allows students to be considered by either or both academic units. The choice of advisers reflects the student's primary research interests. The departmental affiliation of those faculty members determines which department to apply to. It is, therefore, critical to the application process that a prospective student be familiar with the research interests of the faculty. For an application to be complete, all references, two official transcripts, GRE scores and a Statement of Purpose must be on file in the Graduate School. Students in both academic programs (i.e., environmental sciences and biology) can work with the faculty and staff at SPMC to complete their thesis research. However, the chair and 1 other member of the thesis committee must be from the academic unit through which the student is admitted.

 Department of BiologyDepartment of Environmental Sciences
Application datesMaster's candidates matriculated through the Biology Department (M.S. in biology) are admitted fall only; spring quater by petition. The deadline for priority consideration is February 1. Master's candidates matriculated through Environmental Sciences (M.S. in environmental science) are admitted fall quarter only. For priority consideration, completed applications should be received by February 1.
PrerequisitesBS/BA and departmental permission. Upper-division courses:
  • Genetics
  • Cell biology
  • Ecology
  • Biometrics
  • Supporting introductory course work in organismal biology

Deficiencies must be removed prior to advancement to candidacy.

BS/BA and college-level course work including:
  • Year of general chemistry
  • Quarter or organic chemistry
  • Year of general biology
  • Ecology
  • Calculus
  • Statistics

Missing prerequisites will be required upon admission

GREGraduate Record Exam-General Test Graduate Record Exam-General Test
Program45 credits minimum including:
  • Biol 501 - Fund of Biol Res (3)
  • Biol 505 - Cur Res in Mar Sci (1)
  • Biol 525 - Res Mentorship (4)
  • Biol 598 - Essentials of Biol Grad Studies (2)
  • Elective courses (12-21)
  • Biol 690 Thesis Research (12-36)
  • Written thesis
  • Departmental seminar and a final oral examination by the thesis committee
45 credits minimum including:
  • Esci 501 - Research in Env Science (3)
  • Biol 505 - Cur Res in Mar Sci (1)
  • 29 credits of elective coursework including 3 courses chosen from the marine and estuarine science specialization
  • Esci 690 - Thesis Research (12)
  • Written thesis
  • Departmental seminar and a final oral examination by the thesis committee

Degree candidates in both the Biology Department and the Department of Environmental Sciences will submit a thesis based on original and independent research on a problem approved by the student's thesis committee. The thesis committee will conduct a final oral examination. Degree candidates will present a seminar based on thesis results to an appropriate academic audience. The degree will be granted by the Graduate School through the academic unit in which the student is matriculated.

Students interested in MESP must apply for admission to a Western Washington University academic unit. If you are applying to BOTH the Environmental Sciences and Biology programs, you MUST include TWO application forms, TWO application fees and TWO MESP-Adviser Selection forms (i.e., one application must specify Biology and the other Environmental Sciences). You need submit only one set of supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, GRE scores). Be aware that each department will make an independent decision, which will result in two separate notification letters. You may only accept admission to one program. If you are accepted to both programs, you will choose the one through which you wish to matriculate.

Applicants to the Marine and Estuarine Science Program are strongly advised to contact potential advisors before submitting an application. This will help you identify the appropriate academic unit and could increase your chances of acceptance.

Western Washington University
Marine and Estuarine Science Program