Biology Homepage | M.S. Program | About | How to Apply | Graduate Assistantships
Our Department of Biology graduate program comprises approximately 20 students supported by both research and teaching assistantships. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) services approximately 12,000 students and is a public university in Richmond, Kentucky, located about 30 minutes south of Lexington, Kentucky, and two hours north of Knoxville, Tennessee. Numerous recreational opportunities may be found nearby, with the Daniel Boone National Forest and Red River Gorge and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area each about 1.5 hours from Richmond and Mammoth Cave National Park just 3 hours away. Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be reached in about 4 hours. For those interested in attending cultural or sporting events, Richmond, Lexington, Cincinnati, Louisville and Knoxville offer many events throughout the year.
For prospective students interested in ecology and evolutionary biology, EKU is located in the Outer Bluegrass Ecoregion and is within an hour’s drive to a diversity of ecoregions (Interior Plateau, Southwestern Appalachians and Western Allegheny Plateau). Notably, EKU’s Division of Natural Areas manages three field stations spanning early successional, secondary growth and old growth systems. Further, EKU has a long pedigree of mentoring students engaged in field ecology and working in scientific collections. Our faculty mentors students conducting research across a variety of terrestrial and aquatic systems and actively seeks out students for floral and faunal research.
For prospective students interested in cell-based and biomedical sciences, our researchers have access to state-of-the-art biomedical suites, constructed in 2017, and are able to conduct a wide range of scientific equipment ranging from cellular to whole animal levels. Further, partnerships with R1 universities in the region afford our students access to molecular core facilities. The Master of Science in Biology program comprises approximately 20 students supported by both research and teaching assistantships.
Multiple teaching assistantships are awarded to incoming master’s students every fall. Teaching assistantships include a partial (66%) tuition waiver and a stipend of $11,200 per academic year. Further, research assistantships may also be available through individual faculty members, and many graduate students are funded through summer months while conducting thesis research.
As a school of opportunity, EKU fosters personal growth and prepares students to contribute to the success and vitality of their communities, the Commonwealth and the world. EKU is committed to access, equal opportunity, dignity, respect and inclusion for all people, as integral to a learning environment in which intellectual creativity and diversity thrive.