Program Availability
The Doctor of Philosophy in Biology at Indiana State University is a traditional, on-campus program offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. The program is open to U.S. and international applicants who satisfy admission requirements.
Why Earn a PhD in Biology at Indiana State?
Our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology is specialized to fit the needs and professional aspirations of each individual student.
Tailor the Program to Meet Your Research Interests and Career Goals
As a student in our biology doctoral program, you will have opportunities to specialize in ecology, microbiology, or physiology.
Areas of research expertise of the department include behavior, physiology, microbiology, bioinformatics, cell and molecular biology, ecology, evolution, genomics, and conservation. Within these areas, specific research projects are based on the expertise of the graduate faculty.
Working with a professor from the graduate faculty in Biology, you will chart a program of study based on your research interests and goals.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Biology aspire to nurture the academic potential of every student and advance knowledge through quality research. Many of our faculty members have received awards and recognition for their research in biological sciences. Our small class sizes enable students to work jointly with their professors on research projects, which may result in presentations at scientific meetings and publications in scientific journals.
Conduct Research in Our Labs
Learn, conduct research, and engage with others in our on-campus laboratory centers for biological sciences. Facilities feature instruments and computers designated for research. This includes the Center for Genomic Advocacy with equipment for sequencing genomes; the Center for Bat Research, Outreach, and Conservation, encouraging research on bats and other outreach programs; the Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute, located on Indiana State’s campus; a greenhouse space; and other on-campus laboratory facilities that emphasize hands-on learning and mentorship.
What You’ll Learn in the Biology PhD Program
Each candidate's individual program of study (coursework) is based on the individual's knowledge and ability upon entering the program and their specific objectives. After completion of coursework, all students must pass written and oral qualifying examinations, followed by submission of an acceptable dissertation based on original research.
Areas of specialization include Ecology, Microbiology, or Physiology.
View the Full Curriculum for the Biology—Ecology PhD
View the Full Curriculum for the Biology—Microbiology PhD
View the Full Curriculum for the Biology—Physiology PhD
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Financial support is available on a competitive basis for students completing the Biology PhD program. This package usually includes a tuition waiver and a teaching assistantship, which involves instruction in undergraduate laboratory classes but may sometimes consist of a research assistantship provided by faculty grant funding.
To ensure full consideration for assistantship funding, all application materials must be submitted by February 1 (for fall admission) or October 15 (for spring admission). Funding opportunities are usually more limited for spring admission.
Career Possibilities for Biology PhD Graduates
Our graduates qualify for university teaching, research, or professional work in their respective subdisciplines.
Admission Requirements and Instructions
Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring admission. To ensure full consideration, all application materials must be submitted by February 1 (for fall admission) or October 15 (for spring admission).
Admission is based on the following requirements.
Admission Requirements and Information
Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree granted by a regionally accredited institution (for international students, a degree granted by a recognized institution).
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale with an undergraduate major in biology or its equivalent, including coursework in mathematics through calculus or statistics, one year of physics, and chemistry through organic. Applicants with deficiencies may be granted conditional admission.
Application should include official scores for the General Tests of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). Scores should be near or above the fiftieth percentile on quantitative and verbal sections, and 4.0 for the analytical writing section.
Application should include a completed Curriculum Vitae Application Form.
Application should include three letters of recommendation from individuals who could comment on the applicant’s academic performance, scientific knowledge, and the likelihood of success in graduate school. Important: Have the names and email addresses of your references available at the time that you are completing your admission application as you will need to enter them in the online application. Explain to your references that they will receive an email from Indiana State University requesting that they submit a letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your references expect to receive this request. It will be sent to your references immediately upon completing the application.
The following are application instructions and deadlines for the Biology PhD program.
Application Instructions
Complete Indiana State University’s online application for admission at apply.indstate.edu/apply/.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be sent to admissions@indstate.edu.
Submit a nonrefundable application fee of $45.00 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $65.00 (international students) payable by Visa, MasterCard, or check or money order payable to Indiana State University. Submit payment to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
Submit the following as part of the online application process >a href="https://apply.indstate.edu/apply/">https://apply.indstate.edu/apply/.
- The completed Curriculum Vitae Application Form.
- Submit official GRE scores. To be official, scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Indiana State University.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who could comment on the applicant’s academic performance, scientific knowledge, and the likelihood of success in graduate school. Important: Have the names and email addresses of your references available at the time that you are completing your admission application as you will need to enter them in the online application. Explain to your references that they will receive an email from Indiana State University requesting that they submit a letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your references expect to receive this request. It will be sent to your references immediately upon completing the application.
- International applicants submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or provide equivalent evidence of language proficiency. Submit scores to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. For important information, see Instructions for International Students.
Once admitted, students receive notification from the University as well as their University ID number needed to activate their University Username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important University services, including email and University announcements.
Note: Returning ISU students must apply for re-admission if they have not attended Indiana State University for more than two calendar years.
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Biology without Thesis (MS) Biology
Master's
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Biology with Medical Laboratory Science Specialization (BS)
Bachelor's
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Biology: Non-Thesis (Accelerated MS)
Accelerated Master's Master's