College of Arts and Sciences

Departmental E-mail: gclearwa [at] indiana [dot] edu

Departmental URL: www.bio.indiana.edu 

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

Curriculum

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

Degrees Offered

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in evolution, ecology and behavior; Doctor of Philosophy in genetics; Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology; Doctor of Philosophy in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in plant sciences; Master of Science 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.S. Degree

It is a requirement of the Department of Biology that the  M.S. degrees be completed within five semesters; however, the M.A.T. program allows 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. See specifics for each program below.

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 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).

Evolution, Ecology and Behavior

Master of Science 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 defense of an approved 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. A total of 26 graduate course hours in Biology or the minor (not including Biostatistics).  Students must enroll the L570 seminar for both semesters of their first year; and must give a presentation in the seminar at least once.

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
• I590 (INFO) SNP Discovery and Population Genetics
• L505 Molecular Biology of Evolution
• L533 Evolution of Genes and Genomes
• L567 Evolution
• Z540 Genetics of Structured Populations
• Z620 Molecular Evolutionary Genetics
• Z620 Phylogenetics

Behavior/Physiology

• L560 Physiological Ecology
• L581 Behavioral Ecology
• P548 Neuroethology
• Z460 Animal Behavior
• Z466 Endocrinology
• Z489Laboratory in Endocrinology
• Z566 Laboratory in Endocrinology
• Z620 Sensory Ecology 

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.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination

Includes written oral and research components.  All full-time Ph.D. students must pass part I of the examination (written and oral breadth of kowledge examination) by the end of the thirteenth week of their fourth semester and must pass part II of the qualifying examination (dissertation proposal defense) by the end of the sixth week of their sixth semester.  In the event of failure or postponement of part II, students may retake the examination once, but no later than the end of their sixth 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.

Genetics

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Course Requirements

During the first year, students take a common core program of courses and conduct research projects in at least three different laboratories prior to selecting a 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 a Research Ethics course 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.

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.

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 Science Degree 

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, M511, M525, M540, L586, Z620 (Special Topics, 1.5-3 cr.). Students are expected to rotate (M500) in at least three laboratories dur­ing the fall semester.

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 oral defense of the thesis; or defense of an approved alternative project before the advisory committee.

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.), M511, 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 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.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examination

Includes writtten, 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.

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 Science 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

Normally required; an alternative project may, however, be approved by the student's advisory committee.

Final Examination

A public research seminar and an oral de­fense of the thesis or defense of an approved alternative project before the student's 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 Science 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

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 defense of an approved alternative project before the student's 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.

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.