MS Raptor Biology

The M.S. in Raptor Biology is a research-based degree in which the Master’s candidate will complete a thesis based on original research carried out by the student.

The thesis should make a significant contribution to the body of scientific knowledge and be sufficient quality to warrant publication in a peer-reviewed journal. M.S. students are expected to produce a written proposal and given an oral presentation of that proposal during their first year in the program.

Following the completion of the thesis, students will give an oral presentation of the defense to present the results of their research to the public.

The M.S. in Raptor Biology is designed for students, holding or expecting a bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines of the biological sciences, to enhance their knowledge and understanding of raptor biology and ecology.

The Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area, with the largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America, is a unique resource for the study of raptor biology and ecology.

Furthermore, the Intermountain Bird Observatory, a trapping and banding station, offers opportunities to study raptor migration. Raptor biologists working for state, federal, and private organizations located in Boise offer additional expertise and research opportunities.

The Raptor Research Center at Boise State supports the graduate program and research on raptors.

Core Courses

Take the following:
- BIOL614 – Introduction to Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis (3)
- BIOL615 – Introduction to R for Statistical Computing and Graphics (1)
- BIOL568 – Advanced Topics in Raptor Biology (1)
- Additional Core Courses
  
  Take at least 1 of the following:
  
  BIOL605 – Applied Raptor Biology (3)
  
  EEB627 – Applied Population Ecology (3)
  
  EEB628 – Movement Ecology (3)
  Seminars
  
  Take at least 1 credits from the following:
  
  BIOL561 – Advanced Topics in Aquatic Biology (1)
  
  BIOL562 – Advanced Topics in Animal Behavior (1)
  
  BIOL563 – Advanced Topics in Genetic Analysis (1)
  
  BIOL564 – Advanced Topics in Molecular Ecology, Evolution and Phylogeography (1)
  
  BIOL565 – Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology Techniques (1)
  
  BIOL566 – Advanced Topics in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (1)
  
  BIOL567 – Advanced Topics in Extracellular Matrix in Development and Disease (1)
  
  BIOL598 – Seminar (1 – 4)
  
  BIOL504 – Protected Areas (1)
  
  BIOL568 – Advanced Topics in Raptor Biology (1)
  Electives
  
  Take at least 15 credits from the following:
  Electives from course offerings that follow: Electives may include a maximum of six credits of Directed Research, must be approved by the student’s thesis committee, and may not include workshop, pass/fail, or practicum/ internship credits.
  Culminating Activity
  
  Take at least 6 credits from the following:
  
  BIOL593 – Thesis (1 – 12)

How to Apply

Putting Your Application Together

The online application, official transcripts, and all related admission materials must be received by January 15th for a fall semester start, or by October 1^st for a spring semester start. International applicants and applicants with international transcripts are encouraged to apply by December 15^th, and by September 1^st in order to ensure materials including official transcripts are received by the program’s deadline.

Required Application Materials

The following items are required for the MS Raptor Biology application:

Contact potential faculty advisor(s) -Your acceptance into the MS Raptor Biology program requires the support of a faculty mentor, be sure to contact a potential faculty advisor before the application deadline. See the Finding a Mentor section for more details.
Graduate College Application – Complete the Graduate College application. Once you complete the Graduate College portion of the online application and pay the application fee, the MS Raptor Biology program application requirements will be made available to you.
Application Fee – Pay the $65 Domestic or $95 International application fee in the online application system.
Transcripts – Please request official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to be sent to Boise State. Learn more about submitting transcripts to Boise State.
TOEFL or IELTS Scores – Required for international applicants only. Learn more about language score requirements.
3 Letters of Recommendation – Applicants will provide contact information for three references in the application system. Upon submission of the recommender contact information, an email will be sent to the recommender with a link to upload a letter of recommendation.
Cover Letter – See the cover letter instructions section.

Cover Letter Instructions

Please write a cover letter of no more than 750 total words that include:

A description of your overall academic interests and goals. Why do you seek graduate training? What are your career goals? Why are you applying to this program?
A description of your specific scientific interests. This is a great place to describe your motivation to further your training in science and research in your chosen field. Also, describe why your selected research lab is a good fit for your interests.
A summary of your previous research experience or jobs involving laboratory or fieldwork.
Please describe a challenge or obstacle you faced as a student, and how you overcame it.
If needed, please request to be considered for a graduate assistantship in your cover letter.

Finding a Mentor

Students in the Biology master’s program will work closely with a mentor throughout the course of their education. It’s important to find a mentor who is researching in an area that is interesting to you and pertinent to what you hope to do after you graduate. The faculty in this program have a wide array of backgrounds and areas of research, offering plenty of diversity for interested students to consider. Before submitting your application, it’s important to review the list of faculty researchers and select a couple of different labs you may be interested in working in. Before applying, we encourage students to reach out to faculty to meet and determine if there is a good fit.

All individuals admitted to Regular Status as a graduate student in Biology must have:

An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4 point system.
An undergraduate degree in Biology or a closely related field.

Provisional Status may be granted to those otherwise promising applicants who do not meet GPA requirements or who have undergraduate coursework deficiencies.

Enrollment in all masters programs is competitive, and achievement of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

Graduate Assistantships

Teaching Assistantships that include a stipend, tuition, and fee waiver, and student health insurance may be available to M.S. students on a competitive basis. Additional support for master’s research projects may be available from faculty members in the form of research assistantships. Other forms of financial aid, such as loans or the College Work-Study Program, are available to graduate students. Prospective students should contact the Financial Aid Office and consult the Boise State University catalog.

Western Regional Graduate Program

The Biology Graduate Program participates in WICHE, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and their Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). WRGP is a tuition-discounting program. WRGP enables students from WICHE states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) to enroll in more than 400 participating graduate programs and pay the enrolling institution’s resident tuition rate, instead of the nonresident rate that an out-of-state student would normally pay. At Boise State University we offer this opportunity on a competitive basis. The Biology department will recommend a small number of WGRP awards based upon merit for outstanding applicants. This recommendation goes to the Graduate College for a final decision.