Animal Biology
515 Morrill Hall
505 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-7801
Fax (217) 244-4565
E-mail: ab@life.illinois.edu
Contact: Lisa J. Smith
Major: Biology
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Graduate Concentration: Ecology, Ethology & Evolution (in all degrees)
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology-Ecology, Ethology & Evolution and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Animal Biology administers graduate degree programs as concentrations in biology. Areas of training include physiological, population, community, and evolutionary ecology; population, molecular and quantitative genetics; evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology and evolution, physiology, evolution and development, functional anatomy, systematics, and conservation biology.
Admission
Acceptance for graduate study in animal biology is based on the applicant's research potential and academic achievement. An undergraduate degree in the life sciences is the usual preparation, but students majoring in mathematics, computer science, or the physical and social sciences are also considered. Courses required for admission are inorganic and organic chemistry, a year of physics, and mathematics through calculus. Students lacking one or more of these courses may be admitted with the provision that such deficiencies be completed in addition to the normal graduate course load. A grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) for the last two years of undergraduate work in a four-year undergraduate degree program or the last three years of a five-year undergraduate program and for any graduate study is mandatory, and good scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are necessary. Considerable emphasis is placed on a student's interest and ability in research as demonstrated by previous work and letters of recommendation. Applications are considered for fall admission only. The deadline for application materials is January 1. A minimum paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 570 (230 on the computer-based version, 88 on the internet-based version) is preferred for international applicants.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science
| Thesis Option-Required Hours | Non-thesis Option-Required Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis Hours Required–BIOL 599(min/max applied toward degree): | 0 min | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* A concentration is required. | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Courses in statistics are required. | |
| Thesis Hours Required–BIOL 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 0 min |
| Total Hours | 64 |
| Other Requirements: A concentration is required. | Experience in teaching is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | No, but Masters level requirements must be met (additional 32 hours) |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must demonstrate excellence by examination and, in consultation with an adviser and doctoral committee, plan and carry out original thesis research with distinction. A preliminary examination evaluating the ability of students to integrate subject matter related to their fields is given during the third year. Additional requirements may be prescribed by the adviser and doctoral committee. A final examination, in which the student defends the thesis, and a presentation of the thesis at the departmental seminar complete the program.
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Biology-Ecology, Ethology & Evolution. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in the form of fellowships and teaching and research assistantships for qualified students.