The Portland State Biology graduate program offers M.S.T, M.A., M.S, and Ph.D degree options. Admission into our program is highly competitive. Our 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. Our students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to be successful contributors to the scientific community.
Our campus is located in the heart of downtown Portland, and our program draws top graduate students from around the world. Our 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 the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), Oregon Health & Science University, and Oregon State University.
Biology MA/MS
- 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, and 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.
Biology Continuing Teaching License
- The requirements for the continuing teaching license include satisfactory completion of 45 credits of upper-division and graduate work earned subsequent to receipt of a bachelor’s degree. The 45 credits are in addition to those required for the initial teaching license.
- For the continuing endorsement in biology, the student must take at least 15 credits of adviser-approved graduate-level work distributed to strengthen the student’s background in science. Although no specific courses in science are required for the continuing endorsement, combined undergraduate and graduate preparation must include at least 36 credits in biology and must include specific courses.
- Each student’s program is tailored to meet the needs of the individual and the requirements of the continuing endorsement and the continuing license. See Licensure for the required education courses.
Biology Ph.D.
- Prospective Ph.D. students are required to take Bi 698 Graduate Research Prospectus, Bi 699 Graduate Grant Writing, and Bi 520 Ethical Practice in the Life Sciences in the fall, winter, and spring quarters following admission to the program.
- Students must also complete 6 credits of Bi 607 Seminar, 27 credits of Bi 603 Dissertation, and 39 credits of coursework at the 500/600 level and above.
- The student must also have taken a departmental comprehensive exam by the fifth quarter after entering the program, followed the next quarter by a formal defense of their Ph.D. prospectus. Successful completion of the degree is contingent on the completion of original research, and presentation of results in a public oral defense and production of a formal dissertation that is submitted to and approved by the student’s research committee and the Graduate School.
- Students must complete their degree within seven years of entry into the program.