Graduate Program
For more information about the Graduate Program in Animal Biology (formerly
Ecology, Ethology & Evolution), please contact ab@life.uiuc.edu.
(For information about the
graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, see www.life.uiuc.edu/peeb/)
The Department of Animal Biology
offers graduate work leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree, and
particularly encourages applications from students interested in:
Due to the breadth of modern
biological research, students are expected to take advanced coursework in three
of five areas:
-
Ecology
-
Evolution
-
Behavior
-
Genetics
-
Physiology
Additional courses are chosen by
the student in consultation with a faculty advisory committee. The number and
nature of these courses will vary with the research interest and background of
the individual. Students are encouraged to begin research as soon as possible.
After a student pursuing a Ph.D. has formulated a
definite research project, he/she takes a preliminary examination (no later than March 1 of the third year) presenting the thesis topic and
preliminary research to a doctoral committee. General knowledge directly related to the research is also determined during the
preliminary examination. Finally, a thesis based on original work demonstrating a thorough knowledge of theory and techniques must be
defended at the final examination.
Graduate students are required to serve as teaching assistants in undergraduate and graduate
laboratory courses for at least two semesters. Most students complete their Ph.D. training in 4-5 years.
We encourage you to correspond directly with the
faculty members whose research program is related to
your own research interests. [back to top]
How to
Apply
Apply online at
www.oar.uiuc.edu/prospective/grad/applygr.html. There is a $60.00
non-refundable application fee for domestic students and a $75.00 fee for
international students. Applications will not be considered unless the fee is
paid.
Deadlines
The closing date for fall
admission is
January 1.
Completed application and all supporting materials must be received no
later than January 1.
We hope to make our decisions about admitting new students by mid-March. Applications for admission for the beginning of the second
semester or the summer session are not
encouraged because we commit all of the next year's resources during the fall admission process.
[back to top]
Medical
Scholars Program
The Department of Animal Biology participates in the Medical Scholars Program, enabling highly qualified students to combine the study
of medicine with the PhD program in Animal Biology. Under the auspices of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at
Urbana-Champaign and the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Medical Scholars Program seeks to
produce leaders in medicine highly qualified and motivated to address the compelling problems of medicine, health care, and medical
research. The key elements for participation are a commitment to excellence and a scholarly career, and professional plans that will be
facilitated by earning a MD and a PhD. Opportunities exist in academic medicine, universities and research institutions, government
agencies, and the private sector for people with MD/PhD education. For more information
see Medical Scholars Program, or write Medical Scholars Program, 190 Medical Sciences Building, 506 S. Mathews Avenue,
Urbana, IL 61801 (phone 217/ 333-8146). [back to top]
Updated 10/31/05
Updated 08/22/06
