Northern Illinois University
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Deadline for the Department of Biological Sciences fall admission is January 1.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a conversation with potential faculty advisors before submitting an application and to indicate that they have done so on their statement of purpose. Furthermore, applicants will be viewed more favorably if their statement of purpose and letters of recommendation show evidence of: relevant experience, past academic performance, strong writing skills, perseverance, work ethic, independence, service, outreach and an identified research direction for graduate school, evidence of a conversation with a potential faculty advisor.

The graduate committee meets in January, May and October to make decisions and applicants will be notified by the following month of decisions.

Research faculty currently accepting applications for prospective graduate students include:

• Heather Bergan-Roller
• Jozef J. Bujarski
• Jennifer Koop (Ph.D. applicants only)
• Virginia L. Naples
• Karen E. Samonds
• Pallavi Singh
• Garry Sunter
• Linda S. Yasui

Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences has two graduate programs leading to an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the Biological Sciences. Students interested in obtaining a Master of Science degree may select from two options: thesis and non-thesis, or the specialization (Human Anatomical Sciences). Students interested in obtaining a Ph.D. degree may apply to our doctoral program.

Want more information on how to apply to graduate school in biology? We recently held a workshop and have made the materials available to anyone interested. View the presentation and Q&A with some of our faculty.