Biology
see also Animal Biology; Biochemistry; Cell and Structural Biology; Entomology; Microbiology; Molecular and Integrative Physiology; and Plant Biology
Director of Life Sciences Masters Degree Programs: Dr. Jo Ann Cameron
School of Integrative Biology
286 Morrill Hall
505 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Contact: Carol Hall
(217) 333-8208
Fax: (217) 244-1224
E-mail: c-hall@life.uiuc.edu
Major: Biology
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Graduate Degree Programs
The Master of Science in Biology degree program provides graduate students with an alternative to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program. The M.S. in Biology allows students to increase their knowledge of biology and become involved with graduate-level research in biology without the long-term commitment of a Ph.D. program. The work is personally designed by each student in consultation with an adviser. Breadth of training is encouraged.
Admission
The deadline for application is February 15. Admission is limited to the fall semester. Applications are not accepted to the Ph.D. program.
All Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) comparable in content and number of credit hours with that granted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Applicants must have completed a biology undergraduate majors program of study equal to or approximating that offered by the School of Integrative Biology or the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Applicants must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 (A=4.0) for the last 2 years of undergraduate study; have a grade-point average of 3.0 in all biology, other science, and math courses; include a statement of educational objectives, and submit three letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors. In addition, applications must have 2 semesters of college-level biology; 2 semesters of physics with laboratory; 1 semester of calculus; and 1 semester of organic chemistry with laboratory. GREs are not required.
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL scores. International applicants must have a TOEFL score of at least 613 (paper-based test), 257 (computer-based test), or 103-104 (internet-based test) to be considered for admission. The TOEFL must be taken within two years of the proposed term of entry; older scores are not valid. The Test of Spoken English (TSE) is required; applicants must receive a score of at least 60. Request that official TOEFL and TSE scores be sent directly to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The institution number is 1836 and the program code is 00 or 35.
See the Biology MS Program Web Site for more detailed information.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the program requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science
| Thesis Option-Required Hours | Non-thesis Option-Required Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (min/max applied toward degree): | 4-8 | |
| Thesis Hours Required – BIOL/BIOC/BIOP/CDB/ENT/MICR/MIP/NEUR/PBIO 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 4-8 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Courses taken "credit/no credit" may not be used toward degree requirements | Courses taken "credit/no credit" may not be used toward degree requirements | |
| Courses taken outside of the Schools must be approved in advance by the Program Director | Courses taken outside of the Schools must be approved in advance by the Program Director | |
| Approval of research topic is required | Approval of research topic is required | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
To maintain active status in the program students must register for 12 credit hours in 400- or 500-level biology courses per semester. If a student has a teaching or research appointment he or she may register for 8 credit hours. A research report or thesis is required of all candidates for the degree.
Financial Aid
Financial assistance is not available to M.S. students through the program.