Graduate Programs
The Department of Biology offers graduate programs in Botany, Freshwater and Marine Sciences, and Integrative Biology. Each program is tailored to give students a broad foundation in the field and depth of knowledge on their particular research topic.
Botany MS and PhD
Graduate students in Botany work with faculty and staff on a range of projects in plant biology at all levels of organization — from molecules, through cells and organs, to populations, communities, and lineages.
Freshwater and Marine Sciences MS and PhD
Designed to help students develop a greater understanding of aquatic systems—their origins, inhabitants, phenomena, and impact on human life, this program allows students to specialize in limnology, marine sciences, or processes common to both environments.
Integrative Biology MS and PhD
IBio graduate students choose to direct their path of study from a range of subject areas such as cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, physiology, ecology, evolution, and animal behavior.
Applying
Admission into graduate programs is based on the applicant’s:
- undergraduate record
- three letters of recommendation
- previous research experience and
- shared interests with one or more potential faculty advisors
Submission of your GRE scores is not required.
Read more about the application process:
Read more…
-
McGee and Walston win 2026 Award for Mentoring Undergraduates
Professor Seth McGee and graduate student Joseph Walston have each been recognized for their outstanding mentorship of undergraduate students.
-
DNA analysis of Mongol Empire’s ruling elites
Integrative Biology graduate student Ayken Askapuli’s research reveals implications for the genetic ancestry of the broader Mongolian Empire.
-
Ice-Cold Research
Two graduate students just returned from an epic — albeit frigid — ecological study in Antarctica. Here’s what they learned from their time on the ice. Read more: https://lsmagazine.wisc.edu/issues/spring-2025/explorediscover/ice-cold-research/