Graduate Program
The Department of Biology offers degree programs leading to both the Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Graduate training is available across the full spectrum of modern biological investigation from molecular biology to ecosystems, unified by a strong focus on the evolutionary underpinnings of life at these different levels. Faculty members are grouped into four primary research areas, each of which has a corresponding graduate curriculum and seminar series.
Students may take advantage of the full breadth of training in modern biology offered in the department through their choice of elective courses, teaching experiences and department-wide seminars. Through these as well as the career presentations and opportunities for networking offered by the Biology Graduate Student Association and the Women in Biology group, graduate students in biology enjoy a highly interactive environment and training that provides excellent preparation for a variety of careers in the biological sciences. While many recent PhD graduates seek a traditional academic career, an increasing number find careers in biotechnology, government agencies, and a wide range of non-governmental organizations.
Graduate training can be pursued in each of the following areas:
Biology faculty are also involved in several other interdisciplinary graduate programs, including Bioinformatics; Neuroscience; and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry.
Grad Students
Tracy Pritchett works with Dr. Kim McCall reseacrching the process of cell death and the role of cell signalling. Dr. McCall is in the graduate Cell and Molecular Biology program.
Jeff DaCosta works with Dr. Michael Sorenson in the area of avian ecology and behavior. Dr. Sorenson is in the graduate Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution program.
Katie Kovitvongsa is interested in the bioacoustics of fish and works with Dr. Phil Lobel. She is a part of the graduate Marine Biology program.
Heather Yu has been studying the role of serotonin in the vocal behavior of Xenopus laevis (the African Clawed Frog). She is a part of the graduate Neurobiology program.