Integrative Biology Graduate Program Handbook-Program Overview

Program Overview

Intention/Role of Handbook

This handbook is intended for graduate students who are pursuing Integrative Biology MS and PhD degrees. The UW-Madison Graduate School is the ultimate authority for granting graduate degrees at the University. The Department of Integrative Biology administers the Integrative Biology graduate program under the authority of the Graduate School. The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general University requirements. Program authority to set degree requirements beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the Integrative Biology graduate program faculty. The policies described in this handbook have been approved by the program faculty as a whole. Degrees and course requirements may change over time; however, students must meet the degree and course requirements in effect when they entered the program. In addition, administrative procedures and processes can change over time. Students are required to follow the procedures and processes listed in the current handbook. The information in this handbook should also be supplemented by individual consultation with your advisor and committee so that individual needs/interests and all degree requirements are met. Additional information is available via the Department’s Web page. Students may also wish to consult the Graduate School’s Web page.

Key Individuals and Roles

Graduate Program Manager - TBD

Director of Graduate Studies – Monica Turner turnermg@wisc.edu

Graduate Admissions – Tony Ives arives@wisc.edu

Graduate Assessment – Aaron Ragsdale apragsdale@wisc.edu

Director of Graduate Student Recruitment – Jesse Weber jnweber2@wisc.edu

Integrative Biology Department Graduate Program Executive Committee – Turner (chair), Tony Ives, Jesse Weber,

Aaron Ragsdale, and the Graduate Program Manager.

Program Vision/Mission Statements

Mission:

To train students to conduct basic and/or translational research in diverse areas of biology

The Integrative Biology Graduate Program provides MS and PhD training in the following broad subject areas: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience, Physiology, Ecology, Evolution, and Animal Behavior. There is great flexibility in the graduate program to serve the diverse scholarly interests and cultures in the department. Each student’s course of study is tailored to their individual interests, career goals, and needs, and we admit students with diverse academic backgrounds. The path taken by a student results from a deliberative process that involves discussions between the student and the student’s advisor and advisory committee.

To provide graduate students with diverse training to prepare them for a range of careers

A goal for our graduate program is to provide students in Integrative Biology with diverse training that will prepare them for a range of flexible and sustainable careers (e.g., academia, industry, government, science policy and administration, science commerce, science writing, law, and science education and outreach at all levels). In consultation with the student’s advisor and advisory committee, students engage in professional development, teaching training, internships in industry, science writing, and/or policy, and some earn master’s degrees in areas that complement their studies in Integrative Biology (e.g., biostatistics, biotechnology).

Learning Outcomes (aka “Learning Goals” or “Training Goals”)

Goals for student learning -- Master’s program

1. Knowledge Master fundamental skills in at least one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Integrative Biology.
   • Students will demonstrate understanding of major current and past theories, research findings, and methodologies and techniques in their area of concentration
   • Students will develop critical thinking skills. They will retrieve and examine scientific literature evaluate evidence for and against hypotheses, identify knowledge gaps, strengths and weaknesses in existing literature, synthesize knowledge, and develop conclusions.
2. Research Students will complete an original research project in one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Integrative Biology.
   • Students will retrieve, evaluate, and interpret professional scientific literature and use this information to select and/or use the most appropriate methods for their own research project
   • Students will conduct research, analyze, and interpret resulting data
   • Students will prepare a thesis or research report describing their research project
3. Communication Effectively communicate in writing and orally.
   • Students will write a clear and concise research report
   • Students will present research articulately and informatively
   • Students will have opportunities to engage in public outreach and education
4. Ethical Conduct Students will understand professional and ethical responsibilities.
   • Students will be trained to use scientific rigor when designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting and reporting results
   • Students will be trained in the ethics of publishing
   • Students will know and adhere to laws, regulations, needed permits and licenses, occupational health and safety standards
5. Career Preparation Students will be provided with diverse training that will prepare them for a range of flexible and sustainable careers (e.g., academia, industry, government, science policy and administration, science commerce, science writing, law, and science education and outreach at all levels).
   • Students will develop broadly applicable skills in critical thinking and problem solving
   • Students will have opportunities for teamwork, communication skills, and collaborations

Goals for student learning -- Doctoral program

1. Knowledge Demonstrate academic mastery in at least one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Integrative Biology.
   • Students will demonstrate a broad understanding of major current and past theories, research findings, and methodologies and techniques in their area of concentration both orally and in writing
   • Students will develop critical thinking skills. They will retrieve and examine scientific literature, evaluate evidence for and against hypotheses, identify knowledge gaps, strengths and weaknesses in existing literature, synthesize knowledge, and develop conclusions
2. Research Students will develop and complete original research that advances a specific field of study within one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Integrative Biology.
   • Students will retrieve, evaluate, and interpret professional scientific literature and use this information to develop theoretical frameworks, testable hypotheses, and predictions for their own research projects
   • Students will design realistic and feasible research projects and prepare necessary protocols
   • Students will conduct independent research and analyze and interpret resulting data
   • Students will prepare and submit manuscripts resulting from their independent research for publication in professional, peer-reviewed journals
3. Communication Effectively communicate to diverse audiences in writing, through oral presentations, and discussions.
   • Students will write clear and concise research articles for publication in professional, peer-reviewed journals
   • Students will present at scientific conferences and/or in formal and informal seminars
   • Students will learn methods of communication needed to interact with professional colleagues and to request grant support
   • Students will present research articulately and informatively to diverse audiences
   • Students will give and receive feedback orally and in writing
   • Students will have with opportunities to engage in public outreach and education
4. Teaching Effectively teach topics or research methods in Cellular and Molecular Biology; Developmental Biology; Neuroscience; Physiology; Ecology; Evolution; or Animal Behavior.
   • Students will receive training and serve as teaching assistants for at least one semester
   • Students will have with opportunities to mentor others in a laboratory or research setting
5. Ethical Conduct Students will understand professional and ethical responsibilities.
   • Students will be trained to use scientific rigor when designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting and reporting results
   • Students will be trained in the ethics of publishing
   • Students will know and adhere to laws, regulations, needed permits and licenses, occupational health and safety standards
6. Career Preparation Students will be provided with diverse training that will prepare them for a range of flexible and sustainable careers (e.g., academia, industry, government, science policy and administration, science commerce, science writing, law, and science education and outreach at all levels).
   • Students will develop broadly applicable skills in critical thinking and problem solving
   • Students will have opportunities to develop skills in leadership, project management, teamwork, and communication and to develop collaborations with nonacademic partners

Program Statistics/Prospects

The Integrative Biology graduate program’s data profile can be found at https://tools.grad.wisc.edu/mas/details/view/G995.

Program Structure

The list of program faculty and staff can be found at https://integrativebiology.wisc.edu/people/.

Important Note to Students enrolled prior to fall 2021: We have changed the name of our MS and PhD programs from Zoology to Integrative Biology. Implementation of the change will be "turn-key" meaning that all MS and PhD degrees awarded beginning fall 2021 will bear this name. Students admitted prior to the name change may complete the program under the name of the program when admitted if they make a request to do so. Please contact the Graduate Program Manager or Monica if you wish to keep the Zoology degree name.