Master of Science - Plant Biology (Non-Thesis)

Washington State University (WSU) offers a Master of Science in Plant Biology program including a thesis, or a non-thesis option. Plant Biology students generally focus on research in the broad areas of plant physiology, ecology, evolution, systematics, and molecular biology.

Learning Outcomes:

To direct students for successful and productive careers in biological sciences, WSU will facilitate:

• Achievement of the highest level of expertise in biological sciences, master knowledge of these fields and apply that knowledge to address novel and emerging  problems.
• Presentations of student research to national and international audiences through both peer-reviewed and popular publications, professional meetings and  conference proceedings.
• Participation in professional organizations.
• Development of professional foundations through activities such as teaching, internships, fellowships, and preparation of grant applications.

To prepare students to be leading researchers in the fields of biological sciences by training graduate students to do the following:

• Become independent researchers by developing expertise in their chosen area, thereby enabling original contributions that extend beyond their degree program.
• Apply sound research methods and tools to problems in their area of study.
• Communicate their research clearly and professionally in both written and oral forms.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of previous and current research in their field of expertise and be able to demonstrate clearly such knowledge.

Train students to be highly effective teachers in the fields of biological sciences by:

• Providing a teaching training course to all students in the program.
• Encouraging students to become engaging instructors in their chosen fields using modern pedagogical techniques.
• Teaching students to incorporate emerging scientific discoveries in lectures, thereby keeping the classroom experience cutting-edge for students.
• Teaching students to review and revise classroom materials to enhance the learning experience for students.

To enhance visibility of the master’s and doctoral programs in biological sciences nationally and internationally, WSU aims to:

• Attract, secure, retain and graduate high-quality students.
• Provide ample support and resources for fellowships, research, travel to conferences.
• Place graduates in academic and professional positions in the U.S. and internationally.
• Attract, retain, and support research-active faculty.

Student Opportunities:

This program offers teaching training and grant writing courses. Other professional development opportunities include weekly reading groups, ecolunch meetings, a graduate student research symposium and frequent graduate seminars.

Career Opportunities:

Most students continue into PhD positions. Other students pursue careers at community colleges, as secondary teachers, or in Federal or State governments.