Program of Study: The graduate program of the department offers the M.S. And Ph.D.
Degrees in Biology. A broad range of courses are taught in most biological
disciplines, although the Department is focused in two major directions. The
Divisions of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD) and
Evolution, Ecology and Bahavioral Biology (EEB) incorporate current areas of
special interest in environmental microbiology, population and microbial
genetics, developmental biology, plant and animal physiology, metabolism,
phycology, plant and animal ecology, behavioral ecology, invertebrate
zoology, entomology, and community and ecosystem ecology of large rivers,
small streams, and wetlands.
The M.S. Program is sufficiently flexible to meet virtually any professional need and consists of both thesis and nonthesis tracks as well as an Education track for those students seeking teacher certification. The Ph.D. Program is unique in that all students are required to complete a
flexible core program in Biology. This program includes one course from each
of the following areas: statistics, genetics, physiology/biochemistry,
evolution/systematics, and ecology, as well as a wide choice of electives in
environmental biology. Research for the Ph.D. Dissertation or the M.S. Thesis
may be conducted under the supervision of any member of the department's
faculty who is also a member of the University's Graduate Faculty.
Students seeking the Ph.D. Degree in Biology traditionally have a master's
degree or its equivalent; however, students may enter the program with only
the baccalaureate degree. Generally, the first year or two is spent in course
work, research is begun by the second year, and the thesis/dissertation
completed in the final year. On average, students take 2 1/2 years to earn
the M.S. and 5 years to earn the Ph.D.
In addition, a cooperative Ph.D. Program in Biology exists with Western
Kentucky University and Murray State University. Students perform
dissertation research under the direction of a major professor at one of
these institutions and obtain the doctorate through the University of
Louisville.
Research Facilities: The Department of Biology occupies
approximately 70,000 square feet of modern quarters in the Life Sciences
Building, located on the University's Belknap campus. Each faculty mentor has
a well equipped laboratory suited to conduct research in their area of
expertise. The Life Sciences building contains environmental growth chambers
and a greenhouse facility located on top of the Life Science building. The
library contains approximately a million volumes and subscribes to more than
10,000 journals; the main facility, Ekstrom Library, is adjacent to the Life
Sciences Building.
A laboratory for conducting environmental research on large rivers has
been developed on the banks of the Ohio River near the University. The
department also conducts research at the University's 200-acre Horner Wildlife
Sanctuary in an adjacent county and on the 14,000 acres of the private
Bernheim Forest located half an hour south of campus.
Financial Aid: Teaching assistantships and University fellowships
are available to support graduate study; in addition, research assistantships
are available through grants and contracts held by individual faculty
members. Teaching assistantships provide a salary plus tuition remission. A
limited amount of summer support is also available.
Cost of Study Tuition Rates: available through Registrar's
office (502-852-7325).
Living and Housing
Rates: available through Admission's office (502-852-6525).
Location: The University's main campus, Belknap, occupies 160 acres
about 2 miles south of downtown Louisville; other campuses include the Health
Sciences Center in downtown Louisville and Shelby campus in eastern Jefferson
County. The Louisville metropolitan area, with a current population of
approximately 1 million, is a center for cultural activities in arts,
education, and sports. It has consistently been rated as one of the ten most
desirable areas in the country in which to live and has a very moderate cost
of living for a metropolitan area.
The University: The University of Louisville was founded in 1798
and, prior to its entry into the Kentucky state system in 1970, was the
oldest municipal university in the country. At present, the University is one
of two major research universities in Kentucky with a broad range of
undergraduate and graduate programs, and it has been designated as the
primary university for urban-related programs.
Applying: Additional information may be found at this link for prospective
students. Departmental Applications may be submitted at any time but
preferably before January 31, so consideration for financial support may be
facilitated. The Departmental application
(online form) is in addition to the
official application to the University of Louisville Graduate application form
and must be submitted before final action on an application will be made.
Persons interested in the research of particular faculty
members may correspond directly with those individuals. For further
information students may contact the Department Director of Graduate Studies
or the office of the Graduate
School (502-852-6495).
