A letter from the Coordinator---
Dear Prospective Student:
Thank you for your interest in graduate studies at Eastern Illinois University. The Biological Sciences Graduate Program provides graduate students with a unique opportunity to pursue concentrated studies in many areas of biology, select courses from a broad range of subject areas, and interact with graduate faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences.
More than forty students are currently enrolled in the Graduate Program in Biological Sciences including international students from India, Colombia, and Nepal. Qualified graduate students are awarded graduate teaching assistantships and serve as teaching assistants in classrooms and laboratories. In addition to a monthly stipend of $940 (nine months), tuition is waived for each graduate teaching assistant. Graduate teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. If you decide to apply to the graduate program, the Biological Sciences Graduate Program Committee encourages you to also apply for a graduate teaching assistantship.
During the first semester of residence, graduate students are expected to select either a thesis or internship degree option. The thesis option is recommended for students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. or desire employment which requires research experience. The internship option is designed for students seeking professional experience and employment in environmental biology or affiliated fields and requires a 12-15 week internship with a private or governmental agency. Specialization in a given area of biological science, specific course work, and thesis project or internship experience are determined by the student and their graduate advisory committee.
Our graduate faculty includes nearly thirty outstanding researchers and instructors who afford students an opportunity to pursue interests in a wide variety of biologically oriented subject areas. Although we do not offer the Ph.D. at Eastern Illinois University, we have been very successful in placing our M.S. graduates in immediate career positions or in advanced degree programs at other universities.
The web pages you are reading have information which describes the Biological Sciences Graduate Program, printable applications to the Graduate School, for admission to our graduate program, and an application for a graduate teaching assistantship. Look for links in the "application section" that allow on-line application. You will also find a list of the graduate faculty and their current research interests. These pages outline the requirements for admission to the Graduate School and the Biological Sciences Graduate Program. The Biological Sciences Graduate Program Committee encourages you to contact individual graduate faculty regarding the availability of space in their laboratories and research programs for additional students. The Graduate School Catalogue can be found on-line or is available from the Graduate School.
Applications for admission to the Biological Sciences Graduate Program are accepted at any time and you may begin your career at E.I.U. at mid-year. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (Aptitude portion - verbal, quantitative, analytical) are required for admission. A minimum combined GRE score (Quantitative and Verbal) of 1000 is recommended for admission. IF YOU DECIDE TO APPLY FOR A GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP, YOUR APPLICATION(S) AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 2009. Decisions regarding assistantship awards for the 2009-2010 academic year will be made in April, 2009. If you have additional questions regarding admission and financial aid, please contact me or the Graduate School Office.
If you have an opportunity, please plan to visit the university, meet our faculty and graduate students, and tour the campus. I am confident you will find our graduate program to be challenging and rewarding. If you have additional questions regarding our program, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your interest in the Biological Sciences Graduate Program.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey R. Laursen
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Coordinator, Biological Sciences Graduate Program
Phone: (217) 581-3914
Fax: (217) 581-7141