• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
• Build a strong foundation for graduate and professional schools.
• Benefit from educational opportunities that are enhanced by small class sizes and easy access to labs.
• Participate in faculty research projects and become familiar with research techniques and the operation of advanced equipment.
• Access a wide cross-section of experience in life-science disciplines.
• Learn from experts in all the major subdisciplines of biology, including cell biology, molecular evolution, plant genetics, photosynthesis, crop engineering, ecology, electron microscopy, and more.
• Take both traditional and specialized modern courses in the field.
• Study in modern and well-equipped instructional laboratories.

The certificate in quantitative biology combines a basic grounding in biological science with courses in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Half the required credits are in biological sciences, with the other half in a quantitative focus area.

Core courses

The certificate has two required core courses that focus on the role of quantitative analysis in the biological sciences:

Intro to Mathematical Biology
Seminar in Mathematical Biology

Biology/life science courses

The certificate requires at least four courses in life sciences.

A few examples of courses you could choose from:

Introductory Biology I and II
General Genetics
General Ecology
Principles of Organic Evolution
Biometry

Parasitology
Virology
Immunology
General Virology
Medical Microbiology

Community Ecology
Marine Ecology
Animal Behavior
Entomology

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Invertebrate Biology
Mammalogy
Ornithology

There are many more possibilities. For a wider view, check out the University's biological science majors.

Quantitative focus

The quantitative biology certificate requires at least four courses in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. The quantitative focus can include courses from more than one area; your certificate advisor can help identify the best sequence of courses to meet your goals.

Computer science courses

A few of the computer science courses that might interest you:

Scientific Visualization
Computational Genomics
Concepts in Biotechnology
Algorithmic Problem Solving
Data Structures
Database Systems

Program Design and Development
Embedded Systems
Software Engineering Principles
Neural Network Design
Artificial Intelligence

For more about the University's computing facilities and programs, see our computer technology offerings.

Math and statistics courses

A few of the math and statistics courses that might interest you:

Principles of Optimization
Simulation Methods
Mathematical Modeling in the Natural Sciences
Statistical Thinking

Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists
Higher Geometry
Discrete Structures
Mathematical Computing

More about math and related offerings at WSU

Graduation requirements

See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:

• Complete the University's scholarship application when you apply for admission so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.

More about scholarships and financial aid

For students interested in quantitative biology

Most of the University's academic colleges and departments award scholarships to students majoring in their areas. Some also offer supplemental awards to students who are interested in doing faculty-mentored research or joining summer research programs.

Some of these opportunities require separate applications or additional materials. Check our page on scholarships for specific interests to see what's available and how to apply.

• Exceptional research labs
• Owen Science and Engineering Library, the largest science and engineering library in the Northwest
• Conner Museum of Natural History, which contains more than 56,000 specimens in research and display collections
• Ownbey Herbarium, which contains 277,000 specimens of preserved plants
• The Science Learning and Instruction Center, a resource center for science majors that provides computer access, auto-tutorial programs, and other media-assisted learning programs
• The Franceschi Microscopy and Imaging Center, a state-of-the-art facility where students learn electron microscopy
• The 800-acre Hudson Biological Preserve at Smoot Hill (15 miles from Pullman), which serves as a biological field station for students and faculty
• The James Entomological Collection, comprised of more than a million specimens of insects
• Mycological Herbarium, which contains more than 65,000 specimens of fungi

 

• Good high school preparation in science and math; at least three years of science course work in high school recommended, including biology, chemistry, and physics
• Good high school preparation in communication, including keen skills in reading, writing, and reasoning skills
• Computer experience