Graduate Programs

biology

GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of Biology offers three graduate degrees, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Master of Science (M.S. - thesis or non-thesis). The graduate programs in Biology provide the student with a strong background needed to pursue a career in college or university teaching and research, in government and industrial research, state wildlife agencies, or in many other related areas. Whereas at the undergraduate level, students are engaged in a broad, general program of study in biology, at the graduate level the program is specialized to fit the individual needs and plans of each student. Specific objectives of the Biology Graduate Program are:

  1. To provide the student with experience in directed research. Original research and the writing of the thesis or dissertation is considered by the members of the department to be the single most important requirement leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree.
  2. To provide the student with specialized or in-depth training in their chosen areas--cell and molecular biology, physiology, or ecology and organismal biology.
  3. To provide the student with experience in teaching at the college level, experience in grant application writing and in research presentations (seminars and posters).

The following links provide a brief overview of the admission and degree requirements for each graduate degree.

Admission Procedures and Standards

 A variety of research areas are available to graduate students in Biology. If interested, you can view or download the following Biology application forms:

PDFGraduate application checklist
PDFCurriculum Vitae form
PDFRecommendation form
School of Graduate Studies forms

You should also check the site for the School of Graduate Studies, which has links to additional required application forms for the Graduate School.

Ph.D. Degree in Biology

The Biology Department offers a Ph.D. degree with specialization based on expertise of the faculty members in the following areas:

The completion of the degree qualifies individuals for university teaching, research, or professional work in the respective discipline. Each candidate's individual program of study (coursework) is based on the individual's knowledge and ability upon entering the program and their specific objectives. After completion of course work, all students must pass written and oral qualifying examinations, followed by submission of an acceptable dissertation based on original research. The specific requirements for completion of the degree are listed below.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Master's Degrees

Admission to the M.S. Programs
In addition to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies for admission, applicants are expected to have completed an undergraduate major in biology or its equivalent, mathematics through calculus or statistics, one year of physics, and chemistry through organic. Applicants with deficiencies may be granted conditional admission. Deficiencies must be removed by taking the appropriate courses or directed study (these credit hours do not apply to the number of required hours for the graduate degree). Prospective students should submit official transcripts, scores on the General Tests of the Graduate Record Examinations, and three letters of recommendation.

A number of graduate assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships are available through the Department of Biology. In addition, research assistantships are available from individual faculty research grants. All are awarded on a competitive basis. Specific Master's Degree Requirements:

View Graduate Course Catalog

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