Programs by Campus
Bloomington
Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
Departmental E-mail: gclearwa [at] bio [dot] indiana [dot] edu
Departmental URL: www.bio.indiana.edu
Curriculum
Degrees Offered
Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in ecology and evolutionary biology; Doctor of Philosophy in genetics; Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology; Doctor of Philosophy in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in plant sciences; Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in zoology; Master of Science in biotechnology; and Master of Arts for Teachers.
Special Departmental Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate major in one of the biological sciences and course work in the program in which a degree is sought. A degree in a related field (e.g., chemistry, physics, or mathematics) may suffice if appropriate biology courses were included in the student’s degree program. Students seeking admission to biology degree programs may apply directly to the Department of Biology or online. Applications must include a complete entrance form, letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, and scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test. (While it is not required that applicants also submit scores on the Subject Test in Biology, it is recommended that they do so.) The TOEFL score is required if the native language is other than English.
Special Requirement for the M.A. Degree
It is a requirement of the Department of Biology that the M.A. degree be completed within five semesters, although some programs such as the M.A.T. and joint SPEA/Biology programs allow additional time.
Grades
For all graduate degrees, students must maintain a minimum GPA of B (3.0) in order to remain in good standing in the Graduate School. Courses to be counted toward the degree must be passed with a grade of B- (2.7) or better. To be eligible for financial support, the Department of Biology requires students to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2.
Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
Includes written, oral, and research components. All full-time Ph.D. students must take the qualifying examination by the end of the fourth week of their fifth semester. In the event of failure or postponement, students may retake the examination once, but no later than the end of the twelfth week of their fifth semester.
Satisfactory Progress Toward a Degree
After passing the preliminary examination, for a student to remain in “good standing” in the Department of Biology requires that sufficient progress be made toward completing a thesis. If the research advisory committee judges progress to be unsatisfactory, probation may be recommended. At the end of the probationary period (usually a semester), probation will be lifted if the advisory committee judges the student’s progress to be satisfactory. If the advisory committee judges the student’s progress to remain unsatisfactory, then the student will be required to leave the program.
Thesis
The final requirement of each Ph.D. program is a Ph.D. thesis, which must be defended in a public research seminar and in a meeting of the research advisory committee. See specifics for each program below for additional requirements in certain programs and for Master degree requirements.
Other Provisions
All students enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the Department of Biology will be required to serve as associate instructors for at least one semester, regardless of their source of support; and they must complete formal instruction in teaching methods in order to enhance their teaching skills. It is the conviction of the department that teaching experience is a vital aspect of graduate education, whether or not the student intends to pursue a teaching career after attainment of the desired degree(s).
Biotechnology
Master of Science Degree
The department offers a program leading to a master’s degree in Biotechnology for students who are interested in careers in the life science industry. This is a non-thesis, one-year program designed to give students advanced training in the underlying scientific principles of biotechnology and hands-on experience in many of the techniques used in the biotechnology sector.
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours are required including a common core program consisting of the following courses: T500 (8 cr.), T501 (2 cr.), T502 (2 cr.), T508 (3 cr.), T515 (3 cr.), B501 (3 cr.), T521 (2 cr.), Z620 Biotechnology Writing (1 cr.). The remaining credit hours can be selected from an approved list of courses in Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Business, Chemistry, Law, Statistics, or Medical Sciences.
Thesis
No thesis is required.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Master of Arts Degree
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, of which at least 20 credit hours must be taken in approved ecology and evolutionary biology courses. The courses that each student takes must have a coherent focus within the general field of ecology and evolutionary biology. At least one seminar should be taken each year.
Thesis
Normally required; an alternative project may, however, be approved by the student’s advisory committee.
Final Examination
Normally includes a public research seminar and an oral defense of the thesis or alternative project before the advisory committee.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including two courses from one concentration area listed below and one course from a second area, Z620 Biostatistics (or equivalent), and dissertation. Students must enroll in a seminar at least one semester during each of the first three years in the program.
Concentration Area Requirements
Ecology/Population Biology
- E455 (SPEA) Limnology
- L575 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
- L577 Theoretical Ecology
- L578 Advanced Population Biology
- L579 Community Ecology
- L591 Plant Population Biology—An Experimental Approach
Evolutionary Biology
- B555 Special Topics in Plant Systematics
- L505 Molecular Biology of Evolution
- L533 Evolution of Genes and Genomes
- L567 Evolution
- Z540 Genetics of Populations
- Z620 Molecular Evolutionary Genetics
Behavior/Physiology
- L560 Physiological Ecology
- L581 Behavioral Ecology
- P548 Neuroethology
- Z460 Ethology
- Z566 Laboratory in Endocrinology
Minor
The minor may be in a separate department, an interdepartmental program, a different graduate program in the Department of Biology, or in biometrics. Requirements are as set by the unit administering the minor.
Thesis
Students write a thesis based on scientific research.
Final Examination
Public research seminar and oral defense of the dissertation before the student’s research committee.
Genetics
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Programs leading to the Ph.D. degrees in genetics, and in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, are administered by the Faculty Committee on Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), in collaboration with members of the Department of Chemistry. The Ph.D. in plant sciences can be pursued under the supervision of MBG or that of ecology and evolutionary biology, depending upon the nature of a student’s research interests.
Course Requirements
During the first year, students takes a common core program of courses and conduct research projects in at least three different laboratories prior to selecting a permanent research advisor and laboratory. Students must complete a total of 90 credit hours including the core program, two advanced courses (see below), Grant Writing (Z620), Journal Club (M850 or Z620), and Research Ethics and Careers (Z620). Grant Writing and Journal Club are taken during year two, and Research Ethics and Careers during year three. Students must teach for at least one semester.
Minor
Each student must select a minor field distinct from the chosen degree. Ordinarily, the core program courses meet minor requirements. In some cases a student may select another minor and must meet any additional requirements set by that minor.
Thesis
Students write a thesis based on scientific research.
Final Examination
Public research seminar and oral defense of the dissertation before the student’s research committee.
Microbiology
Degree programs are available for students with interests in many areas of microbiology. Each student’s curriculum is designed by the student in consultation with the graduate program director, the student’s mentor, and an appointed advisory committee.
Master of Arts Degree with a Research Thesis
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours; 12 of these must be course work not including M500, M800, or M850. Course options include B501 (4.5 cr.), L585 (4.5 cr.), C483, C485, M416, M430, M460, M480, M525, M540, L586, Z620 (Special Topics, 1.5-3 cr.). Students are expected to rotate (M500) in at least two laboratories during the fall semester and to participate in M850 Microbiology Journal Club each time it is offered in the fall and spring.
Thesis
Required.
Final Examination
Oral defense of thesis.
Master of Arts Degree with a Library Thesis
The department also offers a program in microbiology leading to a terminal master’s degree that does not require a laboratory research project. A student enrolled in this program will write a thesis critically evaluating and reviewing some aspect of microbiology reported in the literature. All other requirements for the degree are identical to those stated above for the research-thesis Master of Arts. The degree is designed to give individuals an opportunity to pursue graduate study at the master’s level without acquiring expertise in laboratory research.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours, including the following core courses: L585 (4.5 cr.), B501 (4.5 cr.), L523, and M500. C483 and C484 may be substituted for the core B501. Two advanced topics courses are also required. Electives include but are not limited to M430, M525, L572, L586, Z620 (Special Topics). Additional courses from this or other departments with written permission of the microbiology program director may be substituted for the electives. Also required are M850 (Microbiology Journal Club), taken each fall and spring (except for the first semester), Grant Writing (Z620), and Research Ethics and Careers (Z620). During the first year, students are required to complete three rotations (M500). Students must teach for at least one semester.
Thesis
Students write a thesis based on scientific research.
Final Examination
Public research seminar and oral defense of the dissertation before the student’s research committee.
Plant Sciences
Master of Arts Degree
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, stressing suitable advanced courses in plant sciences and cognate areas. At least 20 of the credit hours must be in the major area.
Thesis
Required. An equivalent creative project may be accepted in lieu of the thesis.
Final Examination
Normally includes a public research seminar and an oral defense of the thesis or alternative project before the advisory committee.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Ph.D. students choosing a molecular approach will follow the procedures of the genetics and molecular, cellular, and developmental biology graduate programs. Likewise, students choosing an organismal approach will follow the procedures of the evolution, ecology and behavior program.
Zoology
Each degree program is tailored to the specific interests and needs of the student.
Master of Arts Degree
Course Requirements
A total of 30 credit hours, of which at least 20 credit hours must be taken in the Department of Biology.
Thesis
Required. An alternative project may be accepted in lieu of the thesis.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Course Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours of advanced course work, including dissertation.
Minor
Selected in consultation with research advisor and zoology program director.
Master of Arts for Teachers Degree
The Master of Arts for Teachers in biology is offered by the University Graduate School (not the School of Education) to provide training beyond the bachelor’s degree for those who intend to teach in junior or senior high school and who wish additional training in biology. Each student in the program must possess a teacher’s certificate by the time the degree is conferred, with the exception of international students who intend to return to their native country.
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with sufficient hours in biology to enable the student to take courses carrying graduate credit.
Course Requirements
A total of 36 credit hours, of which a minimum of 25 credit hours must be in courses in the biological sciences that carry graduate credit; the remaining 11 credit hours may be in education. All programs of study must be approved by the Master of Arts for Teachers program advisor.
Certification Requirements
For a complete list of courses in education and other areas that are required for provisional certification, consult the School of Education Undergraduate Program Bulletin.