Program Description

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 with the choice of advisers reflecting the student's primary research interests. The advisers' departmental affiliation determines the department(s) to which the applicant must apply.

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. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors before applying.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are NOT required. 

Students in both environmental science and biology programs can work with faculty and staff at the Shannon Point Marine Center to complete their thesis research. However, the thesis committee chair must be from the academic unit through which the student is admitted and the degree will be granted by the Graduate School through the academic unit in which the student is matriculated.

Application and program requirements

RequirementsDepartment of BiologyDepartment of Environmental Sciences
Application DatesMaster's candidates matriculated through the Biology Department (M.S. in biology) are admitted fall quarter only. 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.
Prerequisite

Bachelor's degree and departmental permission. 

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 undergraduate coursework may need to be corrected; consult with your potential advisor.

BS/BA and college-level coursework including:

  • One year of general chemistry, one year of general biology, and one course in statistics or data analysis, or;
  • One year of general chemistry, one year of physics, two courses in calculus, one course in statistics and one additional physical science or engineering course, or;
  • Commensurate coursework as approved by proposed faculty mentor. 

Missing prerequisites will be required upon admission.

Program

45 credits minimum including:

  • BIOL 520 - Essentials for Biology Graduate Studies (3)
  • BIOL 521 - Introduction to Biology Research (1)
  • BIOL 522 - Research Proposal Development + Writing (4)
  • BIOL 523 - Research Presentation (1)
  • BIOL 526 - Research Ethics in Graduate Studies (1)
  • BIOL 690 - Thesis Research (1-12)
  • Written thesis
  • Departmental seminar and a final oral examination by the thesis committee

45 credits minimum including:

  • ESCI 501 - Research in Environmental Science (3)
  • 30 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

Application Process

Students interested in MESP must apply for admission to a Western Washington University academic unit. If you are intending to apply to Environmental Sciences and Biology, please contact the WWU Graduate School office prior to submitting the second application and you will be provided with an application fee waiver code you can use to avoid paying multiple application fees. You only need submit only one set of transcripts. Each department will make an independent decision resulting 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.