The Biologicial Sciences graduate program is designed to allow students, with the guidance of their advisors, to mold and focus their program of study on professional interests and specific needs. Our students can draw from a broad range of graduate courses and select from a diverse and well-trained group of faculty for direction in research
The Department of Biological Sciences is located in Trafton Science Center, one of the best science buildings in the state university system. Trafton presents an open, collaborative atmosphere for graduate study and research, and includes well-equipped research and classroom laboratories. Our proximity to other science departments, whose faculty members provide opportunities for multidisciplinary study in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, physics and electrical engineering.
Our modern facility is equipped with 18 research laboratories, plus support areas including: a media kitchen, environmental chambers, an animal-housing complex, a greenhouse, a dishwashing facility, a herbarium, an animal museum and a garage for field equipment. Our equipment is suitable for biological investigations ranging from ecosystem analysis to subcellular physiology.
All members of our graduate faculty hold doctorates and have extensive research experience. Areas of concentration in research and teaching are Biology Education, Microbiology, Human Biology/Physiology, Environmental Science, Ecology, and Plant Science. Areas of teaching specialization include cellular biology, developmental biology, plant and animal ecology, genetics, parasitology, immunology, entomology, and aquatic biology
Approximately 25 graduate teaching assistantships (TA) are available each year to qualified applicants. A minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate courses in math, chemistry, biology and physics and a qualifying TOEFL score (600 for a paper-based exam and 250 on the computer-based exam) are required for consideration as a TA. Research Assistantships are also offered, depending on external funding availability. Applications should be submitted by February 3 to the Biological Sciences Department. Although the first selection of assistantships occurs in March for the following academic year, the department encourages applications year-round because openings do occur during the school year periodically .
In addition to completing the minimum requirements for the College of Graduate Studies and Research, admission to the Biology program must be approved by the Biology Graduate Committee prior to completion of 16 credits of graduate coursework. For admission to the Biology Program, applicants must provide a one-page statement of career interests and goals. In addition, the applicant must have an undergraduate degree in Biology from an accredited, four-year institution or in another field of science with evidence of having had the following equivalent undergraduate biology core: Biology I (BIO 105), Biology II (BIO 106), Genetics (BIO 211), and two of the following: General Ecology (BIO 215), Cell Biology (BIO 320) or physiology course including laboratory. Students lacking one or more of the above courses may be admitted to the program on the condition that the deficiencies will be rectified during their first year in the program.
