Graduate Studies

Ph.D. in Integrative Biology and M.S. in Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a doctoral degree in Integrative Biology and a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences. Both degrees emphasize independent research conducted by students under the guidance of the department's faculty. Research areas include molecular and cellular biology, genetics and genomics, physiology and biochemistry, ecology and evolutionary biology, and conservation biology.

The Integrative Biology doctoral program is designed to prepare students for careers in biology through a rigorous program of coursework and research. The emphasis of the Integrative Biology doctoral program is to train students to apply theory and experimental approaches from multiple biological disciplines to address issues that are not easily solved using a single discipline. Graduate student research in integrative biology combines approaches from molecular biology to ecology to illuminate how organisms function and how they interact with their environment.

The Master of Science in Biological Sciences prepares students for employment in a variety of careers (biomedical technician, natural resource manager, biology education) or for further study towards graduate or professional degrees. The program features coursework and research opportunities in areas ranging from cellular and molecular biology to ecology and environmental biology. MS students may pursue an emphasis in biotechnology through research conducted at UNO or at the USDA Southern Regional Research Center.