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. 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 check sheet
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 Life Sciences

Program Description and Course Requirements:
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.

Admission Procedures and Standards

  1. Submit an Indiana State University application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, together with an official transcript from each school at which any undergraduate or graduate work has been done. Also submit a Biology Curriculum Vitae form. See the checklist provided.
  2. Contact a Biology faculty member, or affiliate member who, after interacting with you, will agree to be your dissertation advisor. This name must be indicated on the Departmental CV form.
  3. Submit scores on the General Tests of the Graduate Record Examinations. (See GRE or GMAT section of chapter concerning admissions.)
  4. Submit names of three persons from whom you have requested letters of recommendation. Letter writers should be clearly qualified to comment on the applicant's academic performance and scientific knowledge. Please use the recommendation form provided (LINK NEEDED).
  5. Be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies. In addition to meeting the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, applicants must be admitted to the Department of Life Sciences. The following departmental guidelines indicate approximate minimum standards, but meeting these guidelines does not guarantee admission to the program.
    1. The average of three scores on the Graduate Record Examinations should ne near or above the 50th percentile on each exam. For individual tests, the 50% score is roughly 600 for the quantitative section, 500 for the verbal section of the GRE, and 4.0 for the analytical writing section;
    2. International students should have a score of 620 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (a score of 260 or higher on the computer-based examination, or 105 on the iBT version);
    3. An overall undergraduate index of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale;
    4. A graduate index of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (for students entering with advanced standing); and
    5. Satisfactory references.
  6. A telephone or personal interview may be required to assess academic and English language preparation. A personal visit to our department is always a welcomed opportunity. Please contact the Department of Biology for more details.
  7. Applicants are expected to have completed an undergraduate major in biology, mathematics through calculus or statistics, one year of physics, and chemistry courses through organic chemistry. Applicants may be granted admission conditional on the removal of any deficiencies by taking the appropriate courses or directed study.
  8. Recommendations for admission are made by the Department of Biology to the School of Graduate Studies. Official notification of admission is sent to the student by the School of Graduate Studies.

Degree Requirements
A minimum of 83 semester hours of graduate credit are required, including an acceptable dissertation (899--18 hrs.); 640--1 hr. (required twice); 660--2 hr.; 690--1 hr. (required at least once); and at least two area seminars (620, 630, 650, 670, or 680--2 hrs. each).

Areas for the major and minor, as well as further requirements which may be appropriate, will be determined by the student's committee. Selection of the major professor and committee should be done no later than the end of the first academic year. Demonstration of proficiency in two research tools is required. Research tools include those foreign languages approved by the student's committee and the department, statistics, and computer programming. Research tools are regulated by the department. The student must satisfactorily pass both written and oral preliminary examinations and must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a final oral examination and dissertation defense.

Note that the School of Graduate Studies requires that students must complete one of the two consecutive full-time residence semesters before advancing to candidacy. By special arrangement with this department, hourly loads for the residence requirement can be reduced from nine to eight hours per consecutive semester.

Each candidate must participate in the teaching program of the department for at least two semesters or one semester and a full summer session.

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:

Master of Science (M.S.) - with Thesis

Requirements (32 semester hours minimum):

Thesis Research: Biology 699--6 hrs.

Major: 690--1 hr.; 640--1 hr.; Area Seminars (minimum of 2 hrs. in Biology 620, 630, 650, 670 or 680); at least 8 additional hours of Biology course work.

Other Requirements: 6 hours of course work outside the department.

Electives: 8 hours of directed electives.

Culminating Experience:
Satisfactory performance on a final oral examination and thesis defense, conducted by the student's thesis committee.

At least 16 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 or above.

Master of Science (M.S.)--Non-Thesis

Requirements (32 semester hours minimum):

Research: Biology 692--2-4 hrs.

Major: 690--1 hr.; Area Seminars (minimum of 2 hrs. in Biology 620, 630, 650, 670 or 680); at least 11-13 additional hours of Biology course work.

Other Requirements: 6 hours of course work outside the department.

Electives: 8 hours of directed electives.

Culminating Experience:
Satisfactory performance on an oral and/or written examination given by an examining committee selected from the graduate faculty.

At least 16 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 or above.

Master of Science (for Teacher Certification)

Requirements (32 semester hours minimum):

Research: Biology 692--2-4 hrs.

Major: 690--1 hr.; Area Seminars (minimum of 2 hrs. in Biology 620, 630, 650, 670 or 680); at least 11-13 additional hours of Biology course work.

Other Requirements: Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology 660 or 662--3 hrs.; 3 hours from Educational foundations 605, 607, or 608; and 3 hours from Educational Psychology 521, 522, 625, or Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology 611.

Electives: 5 hours of directed electives.

Culminating Experience: Satisfactory performance on an oral and/or written examination given by an examining committee selected from the graduate faculty.

This program is designed for individuals who have completed a teacher preparation program; it does not lead to an initial teaching license.

At least 16 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 or above.

Master of Arts (for Teacher Certification)

Requirements (32 semester hours minimum)

Thesis Research: Biology 699--6 hrs.

Major: 690--1 hr.; 640--1 hr.; Area Seminars (minimum of 2 hrs. in Biology 620, 630, 650, 670 or 680); at least 8 additional hours of Biology course work.

Other Requirements: Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology 660 or 662--3 hrs.; 3 hours from Educational foundations 605, 607, or 608; and 3 hours from Educational Psychology 521, 522, 625, or Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology 611.

Electives: 5 hours of directed electives.

Culminating Experience:
Successful thesis defense, conducted by the candidate's thesis committee.

This program is designed for individuals who have completed a teacher preparation program; it does not lead to an initial teaching license.

At least 16 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 or above.

View Graduate Course Catalog

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