Integrative Biology PhD at University of Wisconsin Madison

The Integrative Biology Graduate Program provides training in the following broad subject areas: cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, physiology, ecology, evolution, and animal behavior. There is great flexibility in our graduate program to serve the diverse scholarly interests and cultures in the Department of Integrative Biology. Each students course of study is tailored to his or her individual interests, career goals, and needs, and we admit students with diverse academic backgrounds. The path taken by a student results from a deliberative process that involves discussions between the student and the students advisor and advisory committee.

The Department of Integrative Biology faculty strongly believes that graduate education should be distinguished from undergraduate education in recognition of individuality and emphasis on responsibility in graduate students. This philosophy requires flexibility and is not well served by the imposition of many formal requirements to be met by all students. Rather, more emphasis is placed on the role of advisory committees in devising programs of breadth and depth appropriate for individual students with due regard to areas outside of biology which are important for the student's effectiveness in their chosen field.

The faculty, students and staff in the Integrative Biology Graduate Program are committed to supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We believe that each persons identity, background, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, beliefs, and other experiences fuel the creativity and innovation that are central to scientific discovery. In our program we also require a diversity statement in your application.

Joint Degree

Doctoral students may elect a joint degree (two programs) which combines zoology with another biological program. The requirements for such candidates will be determined by the certification committee (which includes members of both programs) in accordance with regulations established by the Graduate School.

FACILITIES

Facilities and staff are available for advanced study in a wide variety of biological fields including aquatic and terrestrial ecology, conservation biology, cell/molecular/developmental and neurobiology, endocrinology, ethology, genetics, evolution and systematics, comparative physiology, and physiological ecology.

In addition to a broad range of well-equipped laboratories, research facilities includeadvanced microscopy facilities, limnological laboratories on campus (Lake Mendota) and in northern Wisconsin (Trout Lake), the University Arboretum, the Zoological Museum, and a Molecular Systematics Laboratory.

1. Demonstrate academic mastery in at least one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Integrative Biology.
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of major current and past theories, research findings, and methodologies and techniques in their area of concentration both orally and in writing.
3. Develop critical thinking skills. They will retrieve and examine scientific literature, evaluate evidence for and against hypotheses, identify knowledge gaps, strengths and weaknesses in existing literature, synthesize knowledge, and develop conclusions.
4. Develop and complete original research that advances a specific field of study within one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Integrative Biology.
5. Retrieve, evaluate, and interpret professional scientific literature and use this information to develop theoretical frameworks, testable hypotheses, and predictions for their own research projects.
6. Design realistic and feasible research projects and prepare necessary protocols.
7. Conduct independent research and analyze and interpret resulting data.
8. Prepare and submit manuscripts resulting from their independent research for publication in professional, peer-reviewed journals.
9. Effectively communicate to diverse audiences in writing, through oral presentations, and discussions.
10. Write clear and concise research articles for publication in professional, peer-reviewed journals.
11. Present at scientific conferences and/or in formal and informal seminars.
12. Learn methods of communication needed to interact with professional colleagues and to request grant support.
13. Present research articulately and informatively to diverse audiences.
14. Give and receive feedback orally and in writing.
15. Have with opportunities to engage in public outreach and education.
16. Effectively teach topics or research methods in cellular and molecular biology; developmental biology; neuroscience; physiology; ecology; evolution; or animal behavior.
17. Receive training and serve as teaching assistants for at least one semester.
18. Have with opportunities to mentor others in a laboratory or research setting.
19. Have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
20. Trained to use scientific rigor when designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting and reporting results.
21. Trained in the ethics of publishing.
22. Know and adhere to laws, regulations, needed permits and licenses, occupational health and safety standards.
23. Provided with diverse training that will prepare them for a range of flexible and sustainable careers (e.g., academia, industry, government, science policy and administration, science commerce, science writing, law, and science education and outreach at all levels).
24. Develop broadly applicable skills in critical thinking and problem solving.
25. Have opportunities to develop skills in leadership, project management, teamwork, and communication and to develop collaborations with nonacademic partners.