Zoology
The Department of Zoology offers the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These degrees are awarded on the basis of demonstrated scholarship and the ability to organize, conduct, and report original research. Opportunities are available for experience in teaching and research.
Applicants for all graduate degrees must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate School. If you have questions or need assistance with the admission process, contact the Graduate Program Secretary in the Department of Zoology.
Applicants for the master's degree must possess the following academic background: 24 semester hours in courses covering the basic principles of zoology; one year of college chemistry (organic or biochemistry is also desirable); one year of college mathematics including college algebra and trigonometry (calculus and statistics are desirable). A grade point average of 2.70 (A = 4.0) or above. Applicants with less than 2.70 will be considered on individual merit.
Applicants for the doctoral degree must demonstrate a sound background of academic training in the biological sciences; hold a master's degree or its equivalent and have a grade point average in graduate work of 3.25 or above. Direct entry from a bachelor's degree to doctoral program is possible for students demonstrating exceptional potential.
Inquiries should be directed to the director of graduate studies in zoology. Separate applications must be made to the Graduate School and to the Department of Zoology. The Graduate School application form is included in the departmental packet and should be returned to the Department. A completed departmental application for admission includes: departmental application form, transcript of all previous college credits, scores from the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination, and three letters of evaluation relative to professional and academic competence. All applicants will be notified of the action taken on their application by the Director of Graduate Studies in Zoology.
A non-refundable application fee of $20.00 must be submitted with the application. Attach your check or money order, payable to Southern Illinois University, to the top of the application form. Do not send cash. Only checks or money orders payable to United States banks will be accepted.
Following admission to the department, and prior to registration, a student should consult appropriate faculty (representing student's area of interest) or the Director of Graduate Studies in Zoology for assistance in registration. Each student must arrange with a faculty member to serve as an adviser no later than the end of the first semester of registration in the program. A change in the adviser will be coordinated by the Director of Graduate Studies in Zoology at the request of the student and with the approval of the current and prospective professors.
Following selection and approval of an adviser, an advisory and research committee is to be recommended to the Director of Graduate Studies in Zoology for approval by the Graduate Dean. For the master's degree, the committee shall consist of a minimum of 3 members, 1 of whom may be from outside the department, with the adviser serving as chair.
For the doctoral degree the advisory and research committee shall consist of 5 faculty members, one of whom must be from outside of the department. The adviser shall serve as chair.
A program of course work and research tools as required must be approved by the.advisory and research committee, and made a part of the student's departmental file no later than the first week of the second semester of registration in the program.
A research plan approved by the student's advisory and research committee must be placed in the student's departmental file prior to registration for ZOOL 599 or 600 and no later than the end of the second semester of registration in the program.
While pursuing the completion of degree requirements, continuous registration is required until such time as the degree has been completed. The number of hours required per session will reflect the extent of the demand for use of time and University and department facilities and academic personnel.
Audited courses may not be counted toward completion of minimum hour requirements toward the degree. No course with a grade below C will fulfill minimal requirements of the degree. A petition for the use of transfer credits must be approved by the student's advisory and research committee and submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in Zoology for forwarding to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval.
A minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit (15 hours at the 500 level) is required beyond the bachelor's degree, including at least 18 hours of graded coursework, 6 hours of ZOOL 599, and one of the following tools: a foreign language (either by completion of FL 488 with a grade of A or B or a score of at least 465 on the ETS proficiency exam) or two semesters of one of the following: statistics, computer science, mathematics, biochemistry, or biotechnology. The entire program of study must be approved by the student's advisory committee and the department chair. A thesis embodying results and analysis of original research and a final examination are required.
Graduate study and research in the Department of Zoology is organized around three broad, overlapping areas in the life sciences: animal diversity; ecology and environmental science; and genetics, molecular, and cell biology. Entering doctoral students are expected to take (or have taken) at least eight courses: three courses from each of any two areas and two courses from the third.
There is no minimal credit-hour requirement beyond the Graduate School's residency and dissertation hour requirements. A student in consultation with an adviser prepares a program of study including courses in the major, in the minor, in areas of deficiency, and to complete the research tool requirement. This program when approved by the student's advisory and research committee is filed with the Director of Graduate Studies in Zoology.
Acceptable tools include foreign language, statistics, computer science, mathematics, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Normally two tools are required; however, one tool with exceptional expertise may satisfy the requirement if approved by the student's committee (exception: English as a second language). A student may qualify in a foreign language by completion of FL 488 with a grade of A or B or a score of at least 465 on the ETS proficiency exam. To qualify in statistics, a student must have course work through multiple regression analysis, which is EPSY 506 and 507. In computer science, a student should take CS 200 and one of the following: 129, 215, 220, and 470. For the tool requirements in mathematics, biochemistry, and biotechnology, the student will arrange a program of 2 or 3 courses acceptable to the advisory committee. Previously acquired skills or knowledge may satisfy the tool requirement if the student passes an appropriate proficiency examination.
A 3.25 grade point average in graduate level course work must be maintained; failure to meet this requirement will result in loss of any financial support provided by the department. No course in which the grade is below C is acceptable for credit.
SIUC Department of Zoology
Careers that Come from Zoology
How to Prepare for Graduate School and Beyond
Hints on How to Apply to Graduate Schools
Comments and questions related to departmental information: muhlach@zoology.siu.edu
SIU privacy policy
Last updated: 3-Aug-06 / ghw