Graduate Studies in Biological Sciences
Guide for Graduate Studies
The
Department of Biological Sciences at the University of
Notre Dame is composed of 34 faculty members, 111 graduate students, and over 40 postdoctoral
fellows. The faculty conduct active research programs
in evolutionary biology, cancer biology, cellular and
molecular biology, physiology and biochemistry, ecology
and population biology, genetics and cytogenetics, immunology,
microbiology, parasitology and vector biology. The research
programs in Biological Sciences receive outside funding
in excess of $18 million per year, mainly from the National
Institutes of Health and the National
Science Foundation.
The graduate program is designed to prepare men and women
for successful careers in research and teaching. The program
provides students with depth of knowledge and insight
into their particular areas of interest and a broad background
in the whole area of biology. Special efforts are made
to place the student's area of interest into proper perspective
with the other areas of biology and with cognate sciences.
All students are encouraged to take appropriate courses
in other departments as well as in biological sciences.
Formally structured interdisciplinary programs are available
with Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and College
of Engineering. In Fall 2006, the department initiated GLOBES, a new interdisciplinary IGERT graduate training program, funded by the National Science Foundation.
The department offers programs leading to the M.S. and
Ph.D. degrees, with emphasis on the latter. Both programs
require original research and the presentation of a thesis
or dissertation. Most students complete the master's program
in 2-3 years, the doctoral program in 4-5 years. Students
may pursue graduate study in any of the areas of scientific
interest represented among the faculty. Potential applicants
for graduate study are encouraged to correspond with members
of the faculty concerning possibilities for study and
research in particular areas.
Incoming graduate students may be assigned an interim
faculty advisor by the Director of Graduate Studies. These
assignments are made with consideration of the specific
academic interests of the student. It is the responsibility
of the interim advisor to guide the student's program
until a research advisor is selected. By the end of the
first year of study, a graduate student is expected to
choose a faculty member as a research advisor and have
begun a research program. The student, in consultation
with his/her advisor, selects an Advisory Committee. The
members of this committee will contribute guidance, expertise,
and stimulation to the student in his/her graduate program
and will serve as the examining committee for the candidacy
examinations and for the final defense.
Contact
the Director of Graduate Studies with additional questions:
Department of Biological
Sciences
100 Galvin Life Science Centers
Notre Dame, IN 46556 |
phone: (574) 631-6552
e-mail: biology.biosadm.1@nd.edu
fax: (574) 631-7413 |
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