The cell, developmental and microbiology program employs molecular and cellular approaches to study biological function. The cell group examines intracellular and intercellular mechanisms in a wide variety of cells. The developmental group studies the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of multicellular complexity over time. The microbiology group addresses questions concerning the role of microorganisms in environmental processes and in disease and immune responses.
Biological Sciences Graduate Degrees
Biological Sciences Graduate Degrees
The Biological Sciences graduate program is both flexible and supportive, stressing individualized training in a diverse research environment. We provide a rich intellectual environment as well as the necessary technical resources students need to succeed.
Graduate faculty come from both the Biological Sciences Department in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Biomedical Sciences Department in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. While two departments participate in the Biological Sciences graduate program, but your degree will come from Biological Sciences.
Faculty and graduate students conduct research on a wide array of biological topics spanning molecules to ecosystems, and from basic to applied research. Faculty and students develop collaborative networks both within and outside the department as they conduct their research.
Within Ohio University, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute (ITDI), and the Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies (OCEES) bring together researchers with common research interests from across diverse departments.
Biology Ph.D. and M.S. Degrees
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Biological Sciences Ph.D.The Biological Sciences Department at Ohio University offers a graduate program that includes faculty from both Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences (Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine).
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Biological Sciences M.S.Faculty and graduate students conduct research on a wide array of biological topics spanning from molecules to ecosystems, and from basic to applied research.
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Molecular and Cellular Biology Ph.D.Ohio University offers interdisciplinary graduate study in Molecular & Cellular Biology in conjunction with the Biological Sciences Department Ph.D. program.
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Conservation Biology CertificateThe Conservation Biology Certificate provides graduate students in the natural sciences exposure to the social, economic and political approaches for conserving biological diversity.
Choose an Area of Concentration
Our faculty expertise spans a broad range of biological disciplines across multiple hierarchical levels including molecular biology, microbiology, animal physiology, comparative anatomy, ecology, and evolution.
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Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The ecology and evolutionary biology program integrates research in functional and evolutionary morphology, biomechanics, animal behavior, phylogenetics, population genetics, conservation biology, population ecology, and community ecology to understand the causes and consequences of biological diversity. Faculty use lab and field based research on model organisms and natural populations to study ecological and evolutionary patterns, processes, and mechanisms.
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Physiology and Neuroscience
The physiology and neuroscience program includes research in metabolic and comparative physiology, the physiology of thermo-tolerance, environmental toxicology, computational biology, developmental neurobiology, trophic interactions in the development of sensory systems, control of movement, auditory neurobiology, neuronal cytoskeleton and axonal transport, heavy metals and neurodegeneration, neuroendocrine control of development, cellular basis of neuronal communication, and neural and neuroendocrine control of the autonomic nervous system.
How to Choose a Graduate Advisor in Biological Sciences
Familiarize yourself with the graduate programs, including concentrations, and decide which specific program of study interests you.
Look through the faculty lists in your program of interest at Faculty Research Groups and find folks who do something that interests you.
Review faculty bio pages of faculty who interest you. You will be required to name three potential advisors on your application. Review each faculty, comparing them as you answer the following questions.
- Do they have recent publications demonstrating an activity research program? By recent, we mean in the last two to three years. Has their research program been consistent in terms of productivity? This is the sign of a stable lab environment.
- Do they attend national and international conferences? This is important as this will ultimately be a way for you to network and get your foot in the door as you move along in your career.
- How many students have they had and how many have not finished successfully? Be aware that a few unsuccessful students may not mean that the person is not a good advisor. On the flip side, only a handful of successful students over a career also does not mean the faculty member is not a good advisor. There is limited funding for graduate students in such a big department, so the majority of faculty can only take one student at a time, if they get a student that year at all. Therefore, most faculty will have gaps in their graduate training record for this reason. Also keep in mind that newer faculty members may not have had time to establish a publication or student track record yet.
Make contact with potential advisors over email notifying them of your intention to apply to the program and your interest in their lab. Establishing contact is important — you need to develop some sort of relationship to know whether it will even be worth your time applying. The faculty member may simply not be interested in having students depending on their own situation.
Email students who are currently in the potential advisor's lab. (See Graduate Student Directory.) Ask them about the faculty member's advising style, the consistency in feedback and encouragement, and the general workplace environment in the lab. Be aware, that some graduate students are disgruntled and this has nothing to do with the advisor. If someone is overly negative, be sure to talk to someone else for an additional point of view.
Try to visit before you even apply. It is always good to do this as early in the process as possible and will strengthen your application. When you visit, ask to meet with a group of graduate students in the program as well as other faculty.
For specific questions about program logistics, contact the Graduate Program Chair, Dr. Ronan Carroll. If you are interested in a faculty member whose home department is in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, contact Dr. Larry Whitmer at witmerl@ohio.edu.
Once you have applied, continue contact with the faculty member, but do not hound them for information on your application. The process takes time and they may not know what stage it is at.
Contact Us
Dr. Ronan Carroll is the Biological Sciences Department Graduate Director. Ask about admissions, degree requirements, and research areas in history graduate programs by emailing gradbios@ohio.edu.
Resources & Forms
Links
- International Student and Scholar Services, includes information on orientation, living in the Athens community, and visas
- Graduate Catalog
- Graduate College at Ohio University, information on electronic theses and dissertations
- Graduate Student Senate, a good resource for travel and research funds. The site also provides information on initiatives and developments of interest to graduate students.
How to Choose a Graduate Degree in Biology
Should I Start with a Master’s or Ph.D. Program?
At Ohio University, a bachelor's degree is the requirement for admission to either a master's (M.S.) or doctoral (Ph.D.) program. However, there are many factors to consider when deciding if you want to pursue a master's degree or apply directly to a doctoral program:
You might choose a Ph.D. in biology if:
- You’re passionate about making a difference — whether in environmental protection, medicine, or beyond. With your bachelor’s degree, you can apply directly to a Ph.D. program and take the most direct route to meaningful careers in research, environmental science, and medical discovery. Graduate school offers a unique experience compared to your undergraduate years. Most biology Ph.D. students receive full tuition support and a living stipend, making advanced study both achievable and rewarding. Read more about graduate financial aid and how you can turn your passion into impact.
- Your career goals include becoming a university professor or leading research in a government or industry laboratory. While a Ph.D. is essential for a faculty position, it opens doors to a wide range of additional opportunities at the forefront of discovery in fields like neuroscience, molecular biology, and biodiversity in a changing world. Biology graduates contribute across diverse settings — from research and development labs advancing human health, to archaeological sites uncovering the history of life, to national parks working to conserve and protect our planet’s future.
- Some of your most rewarding undergraduate experiences may have taken place in the lab, conducting research, and connecting with new colleagues. In a doctoral program, research becomes central to your training. From day one, you’ll be working in a lab or field setting alongside a faculty advisor, actively contributing to research and beginning to develop your own independent projects. These projects are novel, meaning they aim to generate new knowledge — whether that’s understanding how lizards adapt to changing environments, exploring how viruses can target cancer cells, or developing strategies to combat drug-resistant bacteria.
- You are interested in pursuing a research-focused Ph.D. alongside your medical degree to engage in medical research. At our Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, some students choose to earn a Ph.D. in biology along with their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, integrating clinical training with advanced research expertise.
You might choose to start with a master’s program in biology if:
- You’re interested in pursuing graduate studies but still exploring your long-term goals. A master’s degree offers flexibility and can open doors to a wide range of careers — from research associate positions in industry and government laboratories to leadership roles in local, state and national parks and conservation organizations, among many other possibilities.
- You’re not ready to commit to a five- or six-year doctoral program, but you are interested in research. A Master of Science (M.S.) in biology allows you to conduct original research and publicly present your thesis, typically within two years. If you discover a passion for research, it can serve as a strong stepping stone toward pursuing a Ph.D.
How to Choose What Area of Biology You Want to Study
Most biology graduate programs expect you to identify a concentration that aligns with faculty research areas before applying.
OHIO offers the following guidance for choosing a biology concentration and advisor.
- Explore the department’s research areas on the website.
- Review individual faculty profiles to find researchers whose work interests you, then reach out to potential advisors to ask if they are accepting new graduate students.
- Connect with current graduate students in a prospective lab to learn more about the lab environment, mentorship style, and day-to-day expectations.