Our graduate program in biological sciences offers unique opportunities for rigorous training in an intellectually driven and multidisciplinary research program. Students can select from our diverse research portfolio spanning Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology and Physiology. Our graduates find success in careers across Academia, Industry, and Government.
Please note that while we offer a Master's degree in Biological Sciences, we are not actively recruiting for Master's degree candidates at this time.
A typical doctoral student completes a minimum required 24 credit hours of course work and 12 credit hours of dissertation work. Course work includes a minimum of seven 2-3 credit graduate lecture courses - including BIOL 8005: Scientific Writing Workshop, 5 credits of research, and five 1 credit seminar courses. All students must enroll in BIOL 6952: Department Colloquium during each term in residence.
Course selection is individually tailored to the student's specific career goals and prior academic background. Upon joining the program, each student consults with an advisor who considers the student's interests and undergraduate coursework and helps chart the first year of study. Once a student has a formal research advisor, the student's course of study is guided by a Ph.D. or M.S. advisory committee chosen by the student and the research advisor. Important in every student's program are the seminar courses, in which small groups of students and faculty examine in depth the current literature on specific topics of widespread interest. Besides the courses available at Marquette University, students may enroll in courses offered at other nearby graduate institutions.
See the Marquette University Graduate Bulletin for current requirements and course offerings
Fall Semester - First Year
2 “elective” courses (2 cr. each)
BIOL 6096 #1 (1 cr.)
0-1 seminar course (0-1 cr.)
= 5-6 credits
Fall Semester - Second Year
2 “elective” courses (2 cr. each)
BIOL 6097 (1 cr.)
BIOL 8005 (2 cr.)
= 6 credits
Fall Semester - Third Year
Dissertation credits (6 cr.)
0-1 seminar course (0-1 cr.)
= 6-7 credits
Spring Semester - First Year
2 “elective” courses (2 cr. each)
BIOL 6096 #2  (2x 1 cr. each)
0-1 seminar course (0-1 cr.)
= 6-7 credits
Spring Semester - Second Year
1 “elective” course (2 cr.)
BIOL 6097 (1 cr.)
Qualifier Exam: expected to be taken by May 15th
= 3 credits
Spring Semester - Third Year
Dissertation credits (6 cr.)
0-1 seminar course (0-1 cr.)
= 6-7 credits
4th & 5th years
A minimum of 2 seminar courses taken after the completion of the qualifying exam (to a total of 5 seminar credits).
The major endeavor of any student is the research that culminates in a dissertation or thesis. This research must be original and meet the highest standards of quality and thoroughness. The breadth of the department provides a diversity of research fields from which to choose.
To help in determining the best fit of student and mentor, first-year students do three laboratory rotations. During the rotations, students are temporary members of the laboratories whose research appears to be of greatest interest to them. Before the end of the student's second semester, an advisor who guides both research and selection of coursework is chosen by mutual agreement between faculty and student. The relatively small size of the research groups in this department allows students to interact closely with the faculty. Manuscripts arising from dissertation research are published in highly-respected peer reviewed journals.
The program offers a diverse range of research emphasis groups such as: Biochemistry, Neurophysiology, Evolution, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Ecology, or Physiology. In some cases, students select research projects that include more than one of these fields of study.
Biochemistry
Several labs are taking molecular and structural approaches to study key metabolic enzymes and oligomeric protein complexes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. These approaches include protein engineering, enzyme kinetic studies, X-ray crystallography and protein complex composition analysis to determine the function and regulation of key enzymes involved in diverse cellular processes such as gene expression, motility and central metabolism.
Cell and Developmental Biology
The cell is the fundamental unit of organization in living organisms. Cell biologists seek to elucidate the principles whereby cells are organized structurally and functionally. Developmental biologists discover how cells differentiate, communicate and associate with one another over time in the development of an organism. The Cell and Developmental biologists at Marquette are a highly interactive group. We use diverse approaches including genetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics and imaging, to investigate cellular and developmental processes in a wide variety of model organisms such as C. elegans, Drosophila, Arabidopsis, Chlamydomonas and yeast. Specific research topics include analysis of cell motility, extracellular matrix development, mitochondrial biogenesis, and the timing plant flowering.
Genetics and Molecular Biology
This emphasis group offers a comprehensive training in techniques used in molecular biology and genetics. You can expect to clone and express genes in organisms to study protein function, test gene expression using real-time PCR and/or microarray analysis. From classical Mendelian genetics to reverse genetics, students choosing an advisor in genetics will learn the fundamentals of gene duplication, segregation and maintenance. You can expect to obtain a good understanding of how genes are manipulated in organisms at a genomic level in order to determine gene/protein function. Specific areas of research in this emphasis group include epigenetic regulation of gene expression, DNA rearrangement, microRNA biology, mRNA splicing, and tRNA biology.
Ecology and Evolution
The Ecology and Evolution group is rapidly expanding at Marquette. Current research projects seek to understand the forces that structure plant communities, maintain species diversity, control species distributions, and allow species to coexist as well as studying the evolutionary processes that generate and maintain biological diversity.
Microbiology
In this research group we want students to learn in depth how microbes function as organisms. Microbes have unique properties that allow a single cell to propagate autonomously and perform activities that higher organisms are incapable of. However, students learn that in nature a microbial cell is almost always interacting with other cells and organisms. Symbiosis is a particular research emphasis, but so are a range of other less intimate associations. Students come to appreciate how microbes cope with diverse, often seemingly harsh, habitats and how they have tremendous effects on their immediate environments and the entire globe. In order to perform research in this area, students receive training in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics, as well as specific training in microbiology.
Neurophysiology and Physiology
The primary focus of this emphasis group is on muscle, nerve, and epithelial physiology with formal course work in these disciplines emphasizing molecular, cellular, and systemic physiology. The goal is for our students to obtain an in depth knowledge base in physiology while appreciating and being able to incorporate molecular techniques into their research programs. Students will learn whole organ and single cell physiology techniques. Areas of current interest include osmoregulation, epithelial transport, ion channel structure and function, smooth, skeletal, and heart muscle physiology, neurobiology of locomotion, signal transduction, cell motility, energetics, and exercise physiology.
Serving as teaching assistants provides students invaluable training in instructional methodologies. In the lab, students gain leadership experience as training mentors for our talented undergraduate student researchers.
Undergraduate education is a very important activity of the research faculty at Marquette. Every graduate student gains experience in this endeavor by observing and by participating first-hand as a teaching assistant for at least two semesters. Recognizing that college teaching is often a major activity of Ph.D. graduates, yet traditionally one neglected in graduate training, the Marquette Graduate School participates in an innovative instructional program entitled “Preparing Future Faculty” for graduate students interested in teaching careers. Several graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences have been very active participants in this program. Some of our graduates have sought faculty positions at liberal arts colleges directly upon graduation and have been remarkably successful.
Our graduate program offers a student-faculty ratio less than 2:1, which means individualized attention and interaction among faculty and students while maintaining the resources and expertise to train individuals in the theoretical and experimental aspects of modern biology.
Our students are exposed to innovative research methodologies through faculty collaborations across campus and across town with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering, UW-Madison, and UW-Milwaukee, along with many other national and international laboratory connections
Students gain experience in presenting their research before audiences in several settings. Individual research groups have weekly meetings for the purpose of exchanging ideas and results. Some research groups have combined meetings to provide broader input. After the first year, each student presents his/her research problem and findings in a short seminar presentation to the department. Faculty and graduate students participate in local scientific interest groups where students present their own research and each year, our graduate students have the opportunity to deliver research presentations at national and international meetings assisted by departmental travel funds.
Students participate in one or more journal clubs that meet once a week to critically review an important recent publication. Because of the diverse research interests within the department, these gatherings and the other informal interactions between members of different laboratories give our graduates a wide breadth of perspectives on biological problems that become invaluable as they start research and/or teaching careers. Eminent scientists are invited to the department to deliver seminars on Friday afternoons, and students have ample opportunity to engage these scientists in individual or group conversation.
Financial Support
All graduate students are financially supported by teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or GAANN fellowships with tuition credits and a competitive stipend for Ph.D. students. Students also receive funds for travel to conferences and meetings.
The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to the full 12-month support of each Ph.D. student in good academic standing including an 18-credit tuition scholarship and stipend.
Support is provided by teaching assistantships, federal grant-supported research assistantships, as well as additional fellowships provided by the University or by private foundations that are awarded on a competitive basis to Ph.D. candidates that qualify.
Travel funds are available for students who present their data at conferences or participate in specialized courses off campus, including courses at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory. Additional funds are awarded to students for research and academic excellence.
The anticipated learning outcomes for the graduate program are:
1. Demonstrate the ability to acquire information and communicate specialized knowledge in a subfield of biology.
2. Synthesize knowledge from a specific subfield into broader biological concepts and theories.
3. Recognize and address critical gaps in knowledge within a specific field of study.
4. Critically evaluate and challenge existing field-specific theories.
5. Independently formulate and test hypotheses through the design and execution of novel research.
6. Analyze and interpret data to reach conclusions that advance knowledge in the relevant scientific field.
7. Communicate general scientific understanding and independent research findings to scientific audiences in a clear, logical, and compelling manner.
What degrees do you offer?
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Ph.D. and Master's degree in Biological Sciences . *Please note that while we offer a Master's degree in Biological Sciences, we are not actively recruiting for Master's degree candidates at this time.
Do I need a Master’s degree to apply?
No, a Masters degree is not required for admission into our Ph.D. program. Applicants are expected to have demonstrated academic excellence in both the classroom and the laboratory, and should have an undergraduate background in a biology-related discipline
Are students accepted for Spring or Summer terms?
Most of our incoming students are admitted for the fall term. Applications are reviewed starting in early-December. Applications may be very occasionally considered for spring or summer terms.
When is the application deadline?
For full consideration, applications should be submitted by December 1st (or the following Monday if the 1st falls on a weekend) for admittance for the following fall term. All applications must be submitted online through the Marquette University Graduate School.
What are the application requirements?
All applications are submitted online through the Graduate School and must include all of the following:
What are the requirements for my personal statement?
Your personal statement should be between 1-3 pages, single-spaced, and address the following:
Who needs to take the TOEFL and when does it expire?
Applicants from non-English speaking countries must provide a TOEFL score, or another acceptable proof of English proficiency. Test scores may not be more than two years old. Typically, successful candidates to our program have TOEFL scores of at least 90. The Marquette University institution code is 1448.
Is there a minimum GRE score or GPA needed to be admitted?
No, our program does not have a required minimum score. The application is considered in its entirety.
What is the GRE code for Marquette University?
The Marquette University institution code is 1448.
Is the GRE subject test required?
No, the biological sciences graduate program does not require a subject test.
How many students are accepted?
On average we receive about 85 applications and admit a cohort of 5-9 students each year.
Do you accept Conditional Enrollment?
No. Our general policy is to provide full-stipend support to all students who are enrolled in our Ph.D. program and remain in good academic standing. The decision to admit a student into the program is made by a faculty committee, which considers an applicant’s application and supporting documents in competition with other applicants to the program.
How do I choose my lab?
Faculty members will present their current research to first-year students at the start of the fall term. After these presentations, students will identify three faculty members in whose labs they would like to work. Students will do three lab rotations to help identify which lab is the best fit for their Ph.D. research. Following the three lab rotations, students will be matched with a Ph.D. research mentor, according to both student and faculty preferences.
Can I be accepted directly into a lab?
No. All first-year students need to complete three lab rotations before being accepted into a lab for their Ph.D. research.
Isn’t Milwaukee too cold in the winter?
Well…sometimes. Winters in Milwaukee are highly variable. In some winters we see chilly temperatures and lots of snow, while other winters are much more mild. The average high temperature in January is 28°F (-2°C) and the average low temperature in January is 13°F (-11°C). On the flip side, summers in Milwaukee are beautiful, with average high temperature in July is 81°F (27°C) and the average low temperature in July is 63°F (17°C).
Is Milwaukee a welcoming city for international students?
Yes! International students find Milwaukee to be easy and fun to explore. Marquette has a large population of international students who can help you get involved in local culture. Our program includes students from a diverse range of nationalities.
What is there to do in Milwaukee (Arts, Theater, Sports, Restaurants…)?
A lot! Milwaukee is a great combination of a big city and a small city. It has all the arts, culture, restaurants and big league sports of a big city, but fewer of the drawbacks, like traffic or pollution. Milwaukee hosts a series of summer festivals including the world's largest music festival, Summerfest, and many ethnic festivals.
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