Integrative Biology, MS
for the degree of Master of Science in Integrative Biology
The Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MS in IB) provides students with a non-thesis, course-based degree program opportunity focused on interdisciplinary training for 21st-century scientific roles. Students explore how scales of life interact, from molecules through global cycles, to solve grand challenges such as addressing global change, improving human health, mitigating biodiversity loss, and contributing to ecosystem restoration and sustainable food and biofuel production. Students in the MS program have the ability to enhance their skill sets within IB upper-level courses through our world-class educational experiences, without having to invest in a required and timely research component for the degree. Students will thus be able to graduate in one year with a advanced degree making them more competitive for employment and future research opportunities.
This program primarily serves students who are in a gap year between undergraduate programs and either employment or future graduate-level programs. With the ability to hone skills in critical thinking, communication, laboratory practices, and scientific knowledge this program affords students the ability to make effective use out of such a year. The MS in IB program offers advanced coursework in fields such as organismal biology, behavioral ecology, anatomy and physiology, environmental science, bioinformatics, pathology, genomics, and mathematical modeling. These multi-disciplinary courses are grounded in active learning and highly transferable, higher-order processing skills such as application, interpretation, and evaluation. Students build laboratory skills spanning from tall grass prairie restoration to modern genome-editing techniques. Graduates are well-equipped for a broad range of careers in fields including healthcare, biotechnology, genetic counseling, wildlife management, and environmental sciences.
For additional details and requirements refer to the MS in IB program page and the Graduate College Handbook.
for the degree of Master of Science in Integrative Biology
The MS in IB program degree requires a minimum of two full-time semesters. Students may take up to two years to complete their degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course List | ||
| IB 592 | Career and Skill Development in Integrative Biology | 2 |
| Core Curriculum | 12 | |
| Select from the following three Areas. At least one course must be a lab and the courses must be in at least two different Areas. | ||
Area I: Organismal and Evolutionary Biology | ||
| Introduction to Entomology (lab) | ||
| Plant Diversity and Evolution (lab) | ||
| Ornithology (lab) | ||
| Mammalogy (lab) | ||
| Ichthyology (lab) | ||
| Herpetology (lab) | ||
| Principles of Systematics (lab) | ||
| Insect Classification and Evol (lab) | ||
| Fungal Diversity and Ecology (lab) | ||
Area II: Behavior, Ecology and the Environment | ||
| Evolution of Traits and Genomes | ||
| Animal Behavior Lab (lab) | ||
| Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Genes and Behavior | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Plants and Global Change | ||
| Insect Ecology (lab) | ||
| Conservation Biology (lab) | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Community Ecology | ||
| Ecotoxicology and Human Health | ||
| Vector-borne Diseases (lab) | ||
| Insect Pest Management (lab) | ||
| Theoretical Biology + Models (lab) | ||
Area III: Integrative anatomy, Physiology and Molecular Biology | ||
| Bioinspiration | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| Photosynthesis | ||
| Env and Evol Physl of Animals | ||
| Insect Physiology | ||
| Critical Evaluation of Herbal Remedies | ||
| How Organisms Move (lab) | ||
| Evol of Intelligent Systems (lab) | ||
| Methods in Molecular Genetics and Genomics | ||
| Additional electives selected from the following list to meet the 32-hour minimum. | ||
Courses from the any of the Areas above that did not fulfill another requirement may also count toward elective credit. | ||
| Population Genetics | ||
| Evolutionary Neuroscience | ||
| Evolution of Infectious Disease | ||
| Science Writing & Presentation | ||
| Environmental Remote Sensing | ||
| Advanced Plant Genetics | ||
| Plant Growth and Development | ||
| Paleoclimatology | ||
| Special Courses | ||
| Science Communication | ||
| Discussions in Integrative Biology | ||
| Programming for Genomics | ||
| Biological Networks | ||
| Genomic Analysis of Insects | ||
| Bioinformatics & Systems Biol | ||
| Applied Bioinformatics | ||
| Plant Metabolomics | ||
| Plant Science Seminar | ||
| Ecosystem Biogeochemistry | ||
| Analysis of Biological Data in R | ||
| Plant Biochemistry | ||
| Seminar in Entomology | ||
| Emerging Infectious Diseases | ||
| Human Genome & Bioinformatics | ||
| Evolution and Medicine | ||
| Environmental Plant Physiology | ||
| Topics in Ecology & Evolution | ||
| Individual Topics | ||
| Total Hours Required | 32 | |
Other Requirements:
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Maximum hours of IB 590 allowed to count toward the MS in IB degree | 6 |
| Minimum hours at the 500-level within the unit | 12 |
for the degree of Master of Science in Integrative Biology
- Synthesize and apply core knowledge in interdisciplinary biological fields including anatomy, biochemistry, development, ecology, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and/or systematics.
- Apply predictive models to biological phenomena and engage with the process of scientific inquiry.
- Critically evaluate and communicate complex, dynamic scientific information.
- Employ curiosity, inquiry, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking in problem solving.
- Show leadership in using interdisciplinary strategies to solve global and local biological challenges.
- Develop professional skills including ethics, proficiency in scientific writing and speaking, collaboration, and effective communication.
for the degree of Master of Science in Integrative Biology
School of Integrative Biology
Director of the School: Carla Cáceres
Director of Graduate Studies: Allison O’Dwyer
Director of Admissions Committee: Allison O’Dwyer and Jessica Fink
Program website
School of Integrative Biology website
School of Integrative Biology faculty
286 Morrill Hall, 505 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
217-300-5039
msib@sib.illinois.edu
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website