Graduate Program

The Program

The Department of Biological Sciences offers opportunities for advanced study at the master's and doctoral levels. Research in the department is clustered in three main focus areas. These are:  Fish Reproductive Biology, Evolution and Ecology, and Neurobiology and Aging.  For more complete information on research concentrations, please see the faculty profiles and the faculty research labs.  Admission to graduate programs in the department is based upon an estimate of probable success in research and courses that lead to a specific graduate degree as indicated by transcripts, letters of recommendation, and performance on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Research interests expressed in each applicant's letter of intent are compared with those of the focal research areas in the department to determine academic compatibility, so it is important that candidates give as much information as possible relating to research goals.

Degrees

Doctoral Student and Research Assistant

Doctor of Philosophy (Biology). Doctoral students in the department earn a minimum of 78 hours of semester credit beyond the baccalaureate degree. These hours include credit for dissertation research.

Master of Science (Biology). The Master of Science is a research degree requiring a thesis. A minimum of 30 semester credits is required for the degree.

Master of Natural Science (Biological Sciences). Course work in the Master of Natural Science program leads to a non-thesis graduate degree. It is offered primarily for students who are currently engaged in, or planning to enter, secondary school or junior college teaching. Completion of 30 semester hours of study, a research paper, and a comprehensive examination are required for the degree.

The University

The University of Idaho (UI) is a publicly supported land-grant university, that has been designated as the state's primary institution for graduate education and research. UI combines an attractive campus with modern, well-equipped facilities, extensive student services, and outstanding cultural and sporting events to provide an excellent living and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. Educational opportunities at UI are enhanced through cooperative teaching and research efforts with nearby Washington State University. The University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. For more information, visit the university's web site at www.uidaho.edu.

Facilities

The Department of Biological Sciences is housed in Life Sciences South and the Richard D. Gibb Life Sciences Building. Laboratories are spacious and well-equipped with modern instrumentation. Greenhouse and small-animal facilities are available in Gibb Hall.  View a map of campus here.  A list of some of the facilities used by department members is in the research facilities section.

The Electron Microscopy Center

A JEOL 1200 EX II transmission electron microscope and an AMRAY 1830 scanning electron microscope are available at the Electron Microscopy Center located in the veterinary science building.

Computer Facilities

The department has access to university computers via the campus network. There are PCs and Macs located in the graduate student offices and on the second floor of Life Sciences South in the graduate student computer room.

Library Facilities

The University Library recently underwent a $12.4 million renovation and addition which essentially created a new library facility. Current library holdings exceed 1.8 million items. A centralized reference area on the first floor contains directories, indexes, and abstracts of research in the biological sciences and related fields. The library also holds over 150 biological science journals covering all major areas of research. As a service to new users, the library provides training sessions on the use of its information system. Library resources at nearby Washington State University are also available to Idaho students. These include Washington State's Owen Science and Engineering Library, Fischer Agricultural Sciences Branch Library, and the Health Sciences (formerly Veterinary Medical/Pharmacy) Library.

Campus Visits

Interested in visiting the campus or learning other basic information about the University of Idaho?

Financial Aid

Financial assistance can be provided in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TAs) supported by Departmental Fellowships. TAs are competitively awarded based on transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. Teaching Assistantships require up to 20 hours per week assisting with the instruction of undergraduates in basic biology courses. TAs receive a stipend and a waiver of out-of-state tuition. Graduate student fees and student insurance fees are also covered by the Departmental Fellowship. (Contact the department office for the current dollar amounts for stipends and fees.) 

In addition, Research Assistantships (RAs) are available through research grants that have been awarded to individual faculty members.

Application

Application forms for the graduate program are available through the Graduate Admissions Office at the University of Idaho. The UI College of Graduate Studies also provides online application forms for both international and domestic applicants.

The following required documents should be sent directly to the University of Idaho Graduate Admissions Office: (Mailing address: P.O. Box 444266, Moscow, ID 83844-4266)

1. The completed application form.
2. Two official copies of transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work.
3. Official TOEFL scores of at least 550 (International applicants only).
4. The application fee.
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General Test scores. The department does not require scores from the Biology Subject Test.
6. A letter of intent stating the research area in which you are interested and explain the basis for your interests. For admission, the department requires that a faculty member be willing to serve as your mentor. Whether a faculty member is willing to be a mentor is largely dependent upon the overlap of the scientific interests of the student with those of the faculty member. Please review the Faculty research interests found in this website, compare your research interests with those of the faculty, and then specifically address one or more of these research interests in your letter of intent.
7. Three letters of reference from persons who know enough about your academic abilities to evaluate your potential for graduate studies.
8. A 1-2 page Curriculum Vitae/Resume

To confirm eligibility for Teaching Assistantships, international applicants and other non-native English speaking applicants must:

1. Be available for a personal or phone interview with the Graduate Affairs Committee and other interested faculty.
2. Complete the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) test with a score of 50 or higher after arrival on campus.
   

Deadline for Summer and Fall admission for both domestic and international students is February 1 for full consideration for financial support. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis.

For More Information...

Contact Pat McCarroll

The University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.