Integrative Biology Graduate Program
The Department of Integrative Biology is the administrative home of the Integrative Biology Graduate Program, which provides M.S. and Ph.D. training in the following broad subject areas: cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, physiology, ecology, evolution, and animal behavior. Each student’s course of study is tailored to their individual interests, career goals, and needs, and we admit students with diverse academic backgrounds.
We strive to provide a just and equitable graduate program and welcome specific suggestions and comments at this link.
MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.)
Students must meet minimum Graduate School requirements. The Integrative Biology Graduate Program has a flexible curriculum, and students are required to develop a plan of courses with their advisor. A minimum of 30 credits is required to complete the M.S. degree. Students must earn a B or above in all courses counting toward degree requirements.
Students must write and defend a master’s thesis. Students’ thesis committees are composed of three faculty members including the major professor. The committee guides the student in developing study plans, research, and career goals.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.)
Students must meet minimum Graduate School requirements. The Integrative Biology Graduate Program has a flexible curriculum, and students are required to develop a plan of courses with their advisor. A minimum of 51 credits is required to complete the Ph.D. degree. Students must earn a B or above in all courses counting toward degree requirements.
Students are required to pass a preliminary examination prior to writing the dissertation. Students must complete a minor which may be used to obtain tools of research, focus in greater depth on a single discipline, or open additional areas related to the field. The Ph.D. committee is composed of five faculty members including the major professor. The committee guides the student in developing study plans, research, and career goals.
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Forms & Links
Integrative Biology Graduate Program Handbook
iBio-Timeline-for-Satisfactory-Progress
Considering Leaving the Integrative Biology Graduate Program
Thesis/Dissertation Proposal and Defense Evaluation Rubric
iBio-Grad-Student-Grievance-Procedures
Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP)
Warrants
A warrant is a program’s recommendation that a student be admitted to doctoral candidacy (a preliminary examination warrant) or be granted a degree (master’s or doctoral), and is the Graduate School’s notification that a student has met both the Graduate School and the program requirements. Warrants are requested electronically by the Graduate Student Coordinator and must be returned to the Graduate School with faculty signatures upon completion of the degree requirements.
Please complete and submit the following form at least 3 weeks before your preliminary exam, master’s thesis defense, or doctoral dissertation defense to notify the Graduate Student Coordinator of your intent to request a warrant:
Once received from the Graduate School, the Graduate Student Coordinator will notify the student to pick up the warrant in B154 Birge Hall.
Upon successful completion of the preliminary exam, master’s thesis defense, or doctoral dissertation defense, the student’s advisory committee must complete and sign both the warrant and the Thesis/Dissertation Proposal and Defense Evaluation Rubric. Both signed forms must be turned in to the Graduate Student Coordinator in B154 Birge Hall.
Note: Students who have successfully defended their doctoral dissertation must upload their signed warrant to ProQuest before turning in the hard copy to the Graduate Student Coordinator.
National Associations
There are many national associations that students in our department are members of or attend their annual conferences. The Scholarships page has department and university wide scholarships to support travel to present your research at a conference. Below are a few common associations:
- American Arachnological Society
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- American Fisheries Society
- American Malacological Society
- American Society of Mammalogists
- American Society of Naturalists
- Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
- Congress of European Society for Evolutionary Biology
- Entomological Society of America
- Genetics Society of America
- International Association for Great Lakes Research
- International Association for Landscape Ecology
- International Zebrafish Society
- Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
- Society for Developmental Biology
- Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
- Society for Neuroscience
- The American Society for Cell Biology
- The Ecological Society of America
- The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
iBio Graduate Student Commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Resources on Campus
- Internal Resources for iBio employees
- Central Campus Teaching and Learning Support
- Graduate Student Professional Development
- Employee Assistance Office
- Teaching Assistant Association (TAA) – you don’t have to be a TA to join
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP)
- Learn@UW Division of Information Technology
- The Writing Center
- University Libraries
- McBurney Disability Resource Center
- Recreation and Well Being Center
- Office of the Dean of Students
- University Health Services
- Campus Child Care Centers
- Graduate School Website
- University Veterans Services
- Ombuds Office
- Bursar’s Office– for payment, tuition, and segregated fee questions
- Office of Compliance Student Support Information page
- Delta Teaching Program
- Data Science Hub Resources
- Guide to academic and professional writing
- UW library course on copyright and fair use for projects
- Diversity Training Resources
- L&S Disability Accommodation Employment
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Enrollment Rules
Full-Time Enrollment Guidelines for Graduate Students
Students should consult the following document when determining the correct number of credits to enroll in each semester:
The Graduate School defines full-time enrollment as:
- Fall and Spring Semesters: 8–15 graded credits at the 300 level or above (excluding pass/fail and audit courses).
- Summer Term: 4–12 credits.
However, taking the full number of course credits is often not practical or recommended for graduate students. To meet full-time enrollment requirements, students can register for Zoology 990: Research, a variable-credit course that helps bridge the gap between actual coursework and full-time status.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisor each semester to determine the appropriate number of 990 credits to enroll in.
All students in the Department of Integrative Biology must request permission each semester to enroll in Zoology 990. Please note that the course will appear closed, the permission will allow you to enroll.
To request permission to enroll in Zoology 990, email Nazan Gillie , and provide the following information:
- your name
- campus ID
- name of your advisor
- term in which you want to enroll
This does not enroll you in 990 but you will receive information that will allow you to enroll. With questions email, Nazan Gillie.
iBio Graduation Guidelines
Graduate Program in the Department of Integrative Biology Diversity, Equity, and inclusion Statement
The faculty, students and staff in the Department of Integrative Biology are committed to supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We believe that each person’s identity, background, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, beliefs, and other experiences fuel the creativity and innovation that are central to scientific discovery.
We recognize that societal inequities, discrimination, and biases in academia prevent talented individuals from participating in the sciences. We are committed to eliminating these barriers. We condemn racism and any form of harassment or discrimination, which hold back both individuals and the advancement of science. We are committed to advancing the ideals of equity and justice, we express solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and Students of Color, and support the LGBTQIAP+ and international student communities.
We aim for our program to support students expressing their experiences, questions, and concerns. We strive to provide an environment where students feel comfortable enough to speak up and let the program know of arising issues or misconduct. To conduct and maintain a collaborative, non-hostile environment that seeks to promote connection, our program is dedicated to continual learning, feedback, and assessment. We strive to provide a just and equitable graduate program and welcome specific suggestions and comments at this link.
Message to prospective students
We believe that all students can succeed in our graduate program. We are committed to increasing diversity and to providing an inclusive environment in which each member of the iBIO community feels welcome, respected, and supported. We aim to attract scientific talent from the widest pool and welcome and encourage all students who are motivated to explore any of our numerous areas of biological research to apply to our graduate program. As biologists, we are devoted to the study of life, and we treasure diversity. We are committed to enhancing and supporting our incredible, strong, smart diverse community.
Campus programs that support the diverse community of scholars at UW
Multicultural Graduate Network — https://grad.wisc.edu/diversity/multicultural-graduate-network/
Graduate Research Scholar Communities — https://grad.wisc.edu/funding/graduate-research-scholars/
Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society — https://grad.wisc.edu/diversity/bouchet/
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity — https://grad.wisc.edu/diversity/
Grad Program Stipend Rates
Here is a list Graduate Program Assistantship Rates
Need Help?
If you have questions or concerns related to credit hours, annual reports, forms, degree and graduation requirements, contact: Nazan Gillie
If you have questions or concerns about degree progress, mentor-mentee interactions, program requirements and expectations, contact:
Monica Turner, Ph.D., Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, turnermg@wisc.edu; 608-262-2592