Biology

Type of degree: Ph.D.

Website: Click here for program website

Description of Facilities: Research Facilities The department occupies a five-story building on the main Oxford campus, and includes the Pullen Herbarium and a greenhouse facility. Research is supported by the University Library, the computer center, which houses three supercomputers; and collaborating units including the Geoinformatics Center, National Center for Physical Acoustics, the Research Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Development of Natural Products, the School of Pharmacy Enviromental Toxicology Program, and the Center for Computational Hydrodynamics. Within 11 miles of campus, The University of Mississippi Field Station, and the Center for Water and Wetland Research, encompasses over 700 acres and over 200 experimental ponds, streams, and wetlands. The Holly Springs National Forest, and the Tallahatchee Experimental Forest are located within an easy drive of campus. The Department has on going collaboration with scientists at the National Sedimentation Laboratory; Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks; Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and other universities.

Student Support: ASSISTANTSHIPS: As of 2007-2008, 9-month stipend levels for teaching assistants are $12,300 for M.S. students and $12,600 for Ph.D. students. Stipend amounts for research assistants are determined by the sponsoring faculty member. Assistantships include a tuition waiver and health insurance. To qualify for assistantships, the applicant must be admitted to the graduate program in the department of biology. The department of biology recommends that applicants have an undergraduate gpa of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) and a combined GRE score (V+Q) of at least 800 for masters students and 900 for doctoral students. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Meeting the recommended minimum requirements does not guarantee either admission or an offer of an assistantship. Most applicants who are admitted to the graduate program in biology are offered an assistantship. FELLOWSHIPS: The Graduate School makes available minority and honors fellowships. Supplemental honors fellowships ($1000 per semester) are available to outstanding applicants on a competitive basis. To qualify for honors fellowships, candidates must be eligible for admission in full standing and awarded an assistantship. In addition, they must meet the following standards: For Master's Students: An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3; a GRE score of at least 1100 or a GMAT score of at least 550; For Ph.D. Students: An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4 or a graduate GPA of at least 3.75; A GRE score of at least 1150 or a GMAT score of at least 550. International Students must meet these standards and have a GRE verbal score of at least 450. The final decision on fellowships is made in the Graduate School. Summer teaching assistantships are usually available on a competitive basis for up to two months ($1000 per summer semester). Students may also compete for summer research assistantships.

Program Point of Contact: Dr. Paul K. Lago

Email: plago@olemiss.edu