Biology: Concentration in Integrative Biology

The Masters in Biology with a Concentration in Integrative Biology is designed for students aiming to go on to Ph.D. programs or enter the workplace in fields such as systematics, evolutionary biology, conservation biology, population genetics, genomics, taxonomy, biodiversity, and biogeography and/or community, population, reproductive, physiological, and evolutionary ecology. This program is a research-intensive program – students conduct hands-on mentored research training using state-of-the-art facilities with the goal of publishing in scientific journals. It is common for students to travel to scientific meetings and present the results of their research in talks or posters. Students work closely on their research projects with their primary advisor in consultation with their chosen thesis/project committee, which consists of two other faculty members.

General Admission Requirements

An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and the equivalent major coursework for the program area to which application is made. To evaluate an applicant, the biology department requires the following:

1. A statement of purpose
2. Two or more letters of recommendation, preferably from science faculty
3. Transcripts of all undergraduate work

When the department receives this information, the completed file is forwarded to the faculty coordinator of the program area chosen by the applicant. The faculty in the program area evaluate the applicant's file, interview students, and recommend admission or denial. Applicants should contact each faculty member (via email) whose research fits with your interests, and arrange an individual appointment to discuss opportunities in their laboratories. Acceptance is based on the following criteria:

• Statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• Performance in the candidate's prior academic work
• An interview with the candidate.

Denial of admission may be based on inadequacy in any of the above criteria, if an applicant's interests are not represented by current faculty, or if faculty in the applicant's area of interest are unable to support additional students.

1. Critically read and evaluate the significance and validity of peer–reviewed publications to develop a comprehensive knowledge of research in their field of expertise and to be able to clearly articulate such knowledge.
2. Conduct original research in a biological sub–discipline, including the design of experiments, development and testing of hypotheses, application of quantitative analyses to visualize and interpret data and derive conclusions.
3. Develop effective writing skills for both informal and formal professional communications that include a written thesis, scientific proposal, or scientific manuscript.
4. Develop skills to orally present scientific material to a broad range of audiences, including in courses and an oral thesis defense.
5. Practice the responsible and ethical conduct of research and professional integrity in carrying out scientific investigation.