Fields of Study

Zoology: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Teaching, Doctor of Philosophy, Certificate in Ecology

For information contact:
Chair of Graduate Advisory Committee
Department of Zoology
212 Pearson Hall (513-529-3100)
http://zoology.muohio.edu

Research and Support Facilities

The department has outstanding laboratory facilities that are supported by the university, as well as grants from a variety of agencies and foundations including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Facilities include DNA sequencing, synthesizing, and analytical equipment and specialized equipment for cellular, developmental and neurophysiological research, including electron microscopy and confocal laser facilities.

Miami University is located near excellent sites for field studies in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The university's Ecology Research Center located 2 miles from campus has nearly 200 acres devoted to a wide range of research projects in behavior, ecology, and environmental biology. In addition, Hueston Woods State Park and other nearby field sites are readily available to faculty and students.

Admission Requirements

Admission is based on evaluations submitted by the departmental, the Graduate School, and (where applicable) the International Programs Office. Applicants are required to make contact with and identify a prospective major adviser.

Send the following to the department: (1) three letters of recommendation and (2) a one-page letter stating your area of interest, reasons why you want to enter the program, and up to three names of departmental faculty who could serve as potential advisers.

Send to the Graduate School: (1) the Graduate School application form and application fee, (2) official transcripts of all previous academic work, and (3) official scores for the aptitude portions of the Graduate Record Examination. International students must also provide: (1) proof of financial support, (2) certification of each diploma or degree earned, and (3) for non-native English speakers, official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

General Requirement: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy

As a part of their professional training, all M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. candidates must perform departmental teaching and/or research.

Requirements: Master's Degree Programs

Master of Arts and Master of Science in Zoology

1. Incoming students are expected to have completed a bachelor's degree and should have a broad course background in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics or statistics. A student may be required to complete undergraduate courses as part of his/her program of study.
2. Complete a pedagogy course ( ZOO 689) upon entry to the graduate program and complete an introductory seminar ( ZOO 601) during the first fall semester in residence.
3. Complete at least 30 semester hours of graduate work including: (a) at least 9 hours of formal course credit, (b) at least three seminars, and (c) and six to 12 hours of thesis credit in zoology. Not more than 10 semester hours of transfer credit can be applied to the degree. A course of study must be approved by a committee of graduate faculty during the first year in residence.
4. Pass an oral defense of your thesis proposal, approved by a committee of graduate faculty.
5. Conduct a research project approved by a committee of graduate faculty and present the project as a written thesis and in a public seminar.
6. Pass an oral examination in defense of your thesis, approved by a committee of graduate faculty.

Master of Science/Ecology Certificate Program

1. Incoming students are expected to have completed a bachelor's degree and should have a broad course background in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics or statistics. A student may be required to complete undergraduate courses as part of his/her program of study.
2. Complete a pedagogy course ( ZOO 689) upon entry to the graduate program and complete an introductory seminar ( ZOO 601) during the first fall semester in residence.
3. Complete at least 30 semester hours of graduate work including: (a) 12 hours of formal course credit, including a course in population/community ecology, a course in ecosystem/global ecology, an additional graduate course in zoology, and a course in statistics or mathematical modeling; (b) at least three seminars, two of which must be in ecology, and (c) six to 12 hours of thesis credit in zoology. Not more than ten semester hours of transfer credit can be applied to the degree. A course of study must be approved by a committee of graduate faculty during the first year in residence.
4. Pass an oral defense of your thesis proposal, approved by a committee of graduate faculty.
5. Conduct a research project in ecology approved by a committee of graduate faculty and present the project as a written thesis and in a public seminar.
6. Pass an oral defense of your thesis, approved by a committe of graduate faculty.

Master of Arts in Teaching (Biological Sciences)
(32 semester hours)

This program, for teachers who want a part-time non-thesis master's degree in biology, includes a elementary (K-8) teacher track and a secondary (9-12) teacher track. It is offered cooperatively by the Departments of Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology.

Elementary (K-8) Teacher Track (32 semester hours)

Required Core Courses (16 semester hours) taken during the first two summers
BOT 698L Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology (3)
BOT 699A Plants, Protists, and Fungi in the Classroom (2)
ZOO 608 Biological Diversity (3)
ZOO 698H Using Animals in the Classroom (2)
ZOO 698J Biology of the Cell (3)
ZOO 698M Human Biology (3)

Formal Biology Courses (9-12 semester hours)
Formal biology courses taken in addition to the required core courses must include at least one 3 or 4 semester hour formal course in each of the biological science departments (botany, microbiology, and zoology).

Additional Courses (4-7 semester hours)
Additional courses pertinent to the MAT degree program must be taken to complete the 32 semester hour degree requirement.

Secondary (9-12) Teacher Track (32 semester hours)

Formal Biology Courses (18 semester hours)
Formal biology courses must include at least one 3 or 4 semester hour formal course in each of the biological science departments (botany, microbiology, and zoology) plus 6-9 semester hours of other formal biology courses.

Additional Courses (14 semester hours)
Additional courses pertinent to the MAT degree program must be take to complete the 32 semester hour degree requirement.

The MAT director must approve the academic program for students in either track. A graduate faculty committee with a representative from each of the biological science departments must administer the final oral exam.

Requirements: Doctoral Programs

Doctor of Philosophy/Zoology

In addition to the general requirements specified by the Graduate School, you must:

1. Fulfill all requirements specified for the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Zoology and any further courses specified by your graduate advisory committee. Doctoral students are expected to participate in graduate seminars throughout their program, are expected to participate in departmental teaching as part of their professional development, and are required to complete at least 30 semester hours of dissertation credit ( ZOO 850). A course of study must be approved by a committee of graduate faculty during the first year in residence;
2. Demonstrate adequate knowledge of zoology and related areas by successfully passing a written and oral comprehensive examination administered by a committee of graduate faculty;
3. Pass an oral defense of your dissertation proposal, approved by a committee of graduate faculty;
4. Conduct a research project approved by a committee of graduate faculty and present the project as a written dissertation and in a public seminar;
5. Pass an oral examination in defense of your dissertation, approved by a committee of graduate faculty.

Doctor of Philosophy/Ecology Certificate Program

In addition to the general requirements specified by the Graduate School, you must:

1. Fulfill all requirements specified for the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Zoology. Doctoral students are expected to participate in graduate seminars throughout their program and are expected to participate in departmental teaching as part of their professional development;
2. Complete at least 60 semester hours of graduate work including: (a) at least 18 hours of formal course credit including a course in population/community ecology, a course in ecosystem/global ecology, an additional graduate course in zoology, and a course in statistics or mathematical modeling; (b) at least four seminars in ecology; and (c) at least 30 hours of dissertation credit ( ZOO 850). A course of study must be approved by a committe of graduate faculty during the first year in residence.
3. Demonstrate adequate knowledge of ecology and related areas by passing a written and oral comprehensive examination administered by a committee of graduate faculty;
4. Pass an oral defense of your dissertation proposal, approved by a committee of graduate faculty;
5. Conduct a research project approved by a committee of graduate faculty and present the project as a written dissertation and in a public seminar;
6. Pass an oral examination in defense of your dissertation, approved by a committee of graduate faculty.