How to Apply

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Application Web Site: http://www.admissions.ilstu.edu/apply/

Course Listing

To view a list of courses currently being taught and their professors, please visit the course listing

Ph.D. Students

Program Overview

The Ph.D. degree Program offers students the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of a Biological Sciences faculty member (i.e., the major professor).  Students may enter the Ph.D. Program with a baccalaureate or M.S. degree.

• Two optional Sequences allow for additional specialization within the Ph.D. degree program.
• Approximately 30 Ph.D. students are currently enrolled.
• Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Research Assistantships (RAs) are available for qualified students.
• TAs in the Ph.D. program currently receive $1800/month for 9 months plus tuition waivers. Opportunities for up to 3 months/year of additional support are available.
• Most students complete their degree in 4-6 years.

Faculty members carrying out research in your areas of interest will be happy to give you additional information about how you can join their research team. Visit faculty web pages and contact those whose research interests you.

Curriculum 

Course work must include 4 hours of BSC 420-Graduate Seminar.  Remaining coursework is chosen in consultation with the student's major professor and dissertation committee. There are no fixed credit-hour requirements for the Ph.D. degree; however, most students in the program take 30-40 hours beyond the baccalaureate. Students choose from among over 30 different graduate (300- or 400-level) courses.  

Plan of Study

Students in any area of biology design their own plan of study in consultation with their major professor and dissertation committee.

Students who wish to formalize additional specialization within the Ph.D. degree Program may chose to pursue one of two Sequences, each of which has specific requirements.

Sequence in Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics (BEES) for students who wish to focus on topics in organismal biology (see specific Sequence description, left sidebar)

Sequence in Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) for students who wish to focus on the molecular life sciences (see specific Sequence description, left sidebar)

All students satisfactorily completing Program requirements will graduate with an Ph.D. in Biological Sciences.  Completion of a Sequence appears on the transcript, not the diploma.