Integrated Biosciences

All-University Program

Graduate School : Web Site E-mail

Link to a list of faculty for this program.

M.S., Ph.D.
Plan A

Director of Graduate Studies: Professor George Trachte

Contact Information—Integrated Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, 162 Medical School Duluth, 1035 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812 (218-726-6898; fax: 218-726-8152; ibs@d.umn.edu; www.d.umn.edu/ibs).

The all-university integrated biosciences graduate program offers study toward the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree and master of science (M.S.) degree under Plan A (coursework and original thesis). The program has two areas of emphasis: cell, molecular, and physiological (CMP) biology and ecology, organismal, and population (EOP) biology.

M.S. and Ph.D. Prerequisites for Admission

Undergraduate admission standards for the M.S. and Ph.D. graduate program in Integrated Biosciences include a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in the biological or physical sciences or a related field. Background in a wide variety of subdisciplines is appropriate preparation for the Integrated Biosciences Graduate program. Examples include, but are not limited to: biochemistry, botany, cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, immunology, limnology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, physiology, and zoology.

Applicants with a GPA of 3.00 or better and 60th percentile placement in the GRE general test are preferred. Applicants for whom English is not a native language should submit TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS scores whose standards are those of the U of M Graduate School (www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/application_information/TOEFL.html).

No single deficiency automatically disqualifies an application from being considered. Applicants deficient in some requirements may be admitted with the provision that specific courses are completed within the first year of the program. Coursework used to make up deficiencies may not be applied toward fulfillment of the graduate degree.

M.S. and Ph.D. Special Application Requirements
The GRE test is required. Applicants with a GPA of 3.00 or better and 60th percentile placement in the GRE general test are preferred. Applicants for whom English is not a native language should submit TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS scores whose standards are those of the U of M Graduate School (www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/application_information/TOEFL.html).

For more information about Graduate School admissions, visit the Graduate School Web site.

M.S. and Ph.D. Degree Requirements

The following comprises the core curriculum for all IBS students pursuing either a M.S. or Ph.D. degree: IBS 8011—Integrated Biological Systems, IBS 8012—Integrated Evolutionary Processes, IBS 8099—The Biological Practitioner, STAT 5411—Analysis of Variance, IBS 8020—IBS Colloquia (2 semesters), and IBS 8030—IBS Research Club (4 semesters).

M.S. and Ph.D. Language Requirements—None

M.S. and Ph.D. Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—No minor is available in the Integrated Biosciences graduate program.

M.S. Plan A

M.S. Admission Standards
Additional recommended undergraduate courses for applicants pursuing the M.S. degree include one year each of chemistry, biology, and physics. One semester of calculus is also recommended. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have taken other advanced courses in chemistry, biology, additional calculus, and introductory statistics.

M.S. Degree Requirements
Students must complete at least 14 course credits in the major; a minimum of 6 credits of electives in another graduate program or programs (for a minor or related field) or in the IBS emphasis other than that which comprises the major program; and at least 10 thesis credits. Students must designate one of the areas of emphasis in the second semester of their first year.

M.S. Final Exam—Students must present a department seminar and pass a final oral exam.

Ph.D.

Ph.D. Admission Standards
Additional recommended undergraduate courses for applicants pursuing the Ph.D. degree include one year each of chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, and advanced chemistry. One semester (minimum) of statistics is also recommended.
Additional recommended courses for students in the EOP emphasis include one year of calculus, one semester each of ecology and evolutionary biology along with one course in two of the following subjects: genetics, cell biology, biochemistry.

Additional recommended courses for students in the cell, molecular and physiological (CMP) emphasis include one year of organic chemistry plus one course in each of the following: genetics, cell biology and biochemistry.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Students must complete at least 14 course credits in the major; a minimum of 6 credits of electives in another graduate program or programs (for a minor or related field) or in the IBS emphasis other than that which comprises the major program; and at least 10 thesis credits. Students must designate one of the areas of emphasis in their second semester.

Ph.D. Written Preliminary Examination
In addition to completing the curriculum for the major and internal related fields, students will be required to pass both a written and oral preliminary examination prior to completing the Ph.D. program. The preliminary written examination will be administered once the student has completed the majority of the required coursework. This will typically occur in the summer of the second year. The written examination will consist of a completed NIH or NSF grant application for the student’s proposed research project. The project will be evaluated by the Thesis Examining Committee, which will also serve as the student’s Final Oral Examining Committee to provide continuity of advice during the length of the student’s research program.

Ph.D. Oral Preliminary Examination
The oral preliminary examination will be administered within two months of the successful completion of the preliminary written examination. The examination will be administered by the graduate faculty according to Graduate School regulations and all students will be required to pass the oral examination to continue in the Ph.D. program. Within one semester of passing the preliminary oral examination, each Ph.D. student must file a Thesis Proposal Form with the Graduate School.

Ph.D. Final Oral Defense
Most students will complete the requirements for the Ph.D. degree within five years. Evaluation of the final oral defense will be conducted by the graduate faculty according to Graduate School regulations. It will consist of a public seminar presented by the student, followed by a closed examination with the student’s examining committee.

Faculty

For latest graduate faculty listings, see www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html.

Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).

Professor
Mustafa N. al’Absi, Behavioral Sciences, SM
Matthew T. Andrews, Biology, M2
Gregory J. Beilman, Surgery, Twin Cities, SM
Yosef Cohen, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Twin Cities, M2
Timothy P. Craig, Biology, M2
Lester R. Drewes, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SM
Barbara A. Elliott, Family Medicine and Community Health, SM
Goran B. Hellekant, Physiology and Pharmacology, M2
Lois J. Heller, Physiology and Pharmacology, M2
Randall E. Hicks, SM
Alan B. Hooper, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Twin Cities, M2
John J. Pastor, Biology, SM
Joseph R. Prohaska, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SM
Jean F. Regal, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SM
George J. Trachte, Pharmacology, M2
Kendall B. Wallace, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, M2

Adjunct Professor
Janet R. Keough, Biology, AM2
Carl Richards, Biology, M2

Associate Professor
Gerald T. Ankley, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Twin Cities, SM
Edgar Arriaga, Chemistry, Twin Cities, SM
Benjamin L. Clarke, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, M2
Haim Einat, Pharmacy, SM
Julie R. Etterson, Plant Biology, SM
Janet L. Fitzakerley, Pharmacology, M2
Jon M. Holy, Anatomy and Cell Biology, SM
Allen Mensinger, Biology, SM
Ayman M. Noreddin, Pharmacy, SM

Adjunct Associate Professor
M. K. Froberg, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, M2

Assistant Professor
Grant W. Anderson, Pharmacy, SM
Lucia P. Barker, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, M2
Bjoern Bauer, Pharmacy, M2
Steven M. Berry, Chemistry and Biochemistry, SM
Clay J. Carter, Biology, SM
Stephanie J. Guildford, Biology, M2
Marshall E. Hampton, Biology, M2
Anne Hinderliter, Chemistry and Biochemistry, M2
Tim L. Kroft, Biology, SM
Venkatram R. Mereddy, Chemistry and Biochemistry, M2
Glenn R. Nordehn, Family Medicine, M2
Teresa Rose-Hellekant, Physiology and Pharmacology, M2
Jon N. Rumbley, Chemistry and Biochemistry, SM
Gregory Rutkowski, Chemical Engineering, M2
Patricia M. Scott, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, M2

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Joseph L. Johnson, Chemistry and Biochemistry, SM

Senior Research Associate
Richard P. Axler, NRRI, SM
Subhash C. Basak, NRRI, M2
Donn K. Branstrator, NRRI, M2
Brian H. Hill, NRRI, ASM
George E. Host, NRRI, SM
Thomas R. Hrabik, NRRI, SM
Lucinda B. Johnson, NRRI, SM
John R. Kelly, NRRI, ASM
David R. Mount, NRRI, ASM
Gerald J. Niemi, NRRI, SM

Research Associate
Valerie J. Brady, NRRI, M2
Sigmund J. Degitz Jr., NRRI, AM2
Rodney D. Johnson, NRRI, AM2
Ron Moen, NRRI, M2
Euan D. Reavie, NRRI, M2
Patrick K. Schoff, NRRI, M2

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