Program Overview
Program Overview
The Portland State Biology graduate program offers M.S.T, M.A., M.S, and Ph.D degree options. Admission into the program is highly competitive. The multi-disciplinary faculty offers admitted graduate students the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research, gain professional teaching experience, and pursue an academically rigorous program that fosters professional research development.
Program Details
The program is designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to be successful contributors to the scientific community. The campus is located in the heart of downtown Portland, and the program draws top graduate students from around the world.
Research Areas
The research faculty expertise spans a broad range of disciplines within the field of Biology. Research is conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories and field locations, from the glaciers of Antarctica to the jungles of Central and South America and the bamboo forests of central China. Regional collaborators include public, state and federal agencies as well as other regional institutions, including:
- Oregon Zoo
- Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI)
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Oregon State University
Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of at least 45 credits of approved graduate-level courses required for a master's degree.
- Students must complete:
- Bi 598 Graduate Research Prospectus
- Bi 599 Graduate Grant Writing in the fall and winter quarters following admission to the program
- The student must complete at least 30 credits in the field of biology.
- No more than 9 credits may be in Bi 503 Thesis.
- No more than a total of 12 credits may be in Bi 501 and Bi 505 Reading and Conference.
- No more than a total of 9 credits may be in Bi 507 Seminar.
- A maximum of 12 credits may be programmed as electives in fields related to biology in consultation with the degree adviser.
- Successful completion of a final oral examination and a thesis is required.
- Full-time students must complete their degree within 4 years of entry into the program.