Graduate Application

Areas of Concentration:

Cell and Molecular Biology: Biotechnology, cellular physiology, functional genomics, gene regulation, immunology, developmental biology, molecular genetics, pathogenic microbiology, and proteomics.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Phylogenetics and comparative biology; human evolutionary studies; population,  conservation, and ecological genomics; paleoecology; population, community, and disease ecology; molecular evolution; landscape and ecosystem ecology; integrative organismal and behavioral biology.

Information about Graduate Application

 

Visit the Graduate Studies FAQ page - or email the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee - for more information on admissions and programs

The graduate programs in Biological Sciences offer opportunity for advanced study and research to students who desire a comprehensive view of biological sciences. Accomplishment is judged by competence and a developing sense of responsibility for the advancement of knowledge rather than the fulfillment of routine requirements. The faculty requires of all candidates for advanced degrees a period of study in residence, advanced competence in the chosen area of expertise, satisfactory introduction to allied subjects, the ability to communicate at a scholarly level, and a satisfactory performance in examinations.

Specific Graduate Program rules concerning work assignments, committees, and examinations.

Admission to Degree Program:

Applicants who wish to study for advanced degrees are expected to present a minimum of 18 hours of biological science. These normally will include training in cellular and molecular biology, organism biology, and ecology, evolution and population biology. Applicants lacking experience in any of the above areas will be expected to broaden their biological training and may be assigned specific course work to fulfill this requirement. Students lacking 18 hours of biological sciences may be admitted on a conditional basis and are not eligible for assistantships.

Applications will consist of:

  1. Official college/university transcripts
  2. Three letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant in academia
  3. Official Graduate School application form
    Deadline for Fall admission is January 15. For Spring semester admission, the deadline for receiving all application materials is November 1.
  4. All students must have a sponsoring major professor from the Department to enter the graduate program in Biological Sciences. NOTE: To be considered for admission into the program the applicant MUST have a sponsoring professor in the department to serve initially as an advisor and mentor. Without a sponsoring major professor an application will NOT be considered. Applicants are advised to use the Faculty descriptions and the departmental web site to contact individual faculty with shared research interests regarding sponsorship.

Upon admission each candidate will select a committee composed of members of the graduate faculty and the student's major professor. Students must also fulfill the Graduate School's residency requirements, which are stated in the Graduate School catalog.

All students are required to earn credit in Bibliographic Practicum (BIOL 5101) (or present evidence of its equivalent) within the first three academic semesters and in two graduate seminars. Additional seminar requirements may be specified by the major professor in conjunction with the graduate committee. Students are required to present a public seminar prior to the oral thesis or dissertation defense.