Biological Sciences - Neuroscience and Physiology

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a doctoral program must:

• have earned a master's degree or equivalent in a discipline appropriate to the specific doctoral program
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work (approximately the junior and senior years)
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for all graduate-level coursework
• provide official scores from the GRE general exam (use institution code 1319)
• provide three letters of recommendation
• present official transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. Transcripts can be emailed from the university to Admissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Office of Admissions, 201 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 2200, Normal, IL 61790-2200

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Lab Requirement 

The first step in the application process is to ask about working in a lab. We do not admit graduate students unless they have at least one faculty member who is willing to have them in their lab.

Contact a member of our faculty  who works in your area of interest. Discuss whether they are taking new students, whether your interests sufficiently overlap with theirs, and what research topics are being pursued in their labs.

Application Requirements

A student applying to this program must: 

• upload your curriculum vitae (i.e., résumé): Your vita should include any information that will help the School to assess your potential as a student in our graduate program. It should include a summary of your educational background; previous employment or positions related to science; current status; research activities, including publications; and any other relevant information, such as memberships in professional societies and any honors and awards you have received.
• provide a statement of academic and professional goals: Your one- to two-page statement of academic and professional goals should identify the general area of research in which you are interested and the faculty member(s) with whom you have corresponded with regard to serving as your possible dissertation advisor (i.e., major professor). In addition, describe your plans after completing graduate school.
• Spring and summer applicants must provide three letters of recommendation. Your letters should be from faculty members or others who are familiar with your academic record and can evaluate your potential for graduate study. Spring applicants will send letters of recommendation to the Director of Graduate Studies; fall applicants will submit names and e-mail addresses of references for letters of recommendation within the online application.
  
  Director of Graduate Studies
  School of Biological Sciences
  Illinois State University
  Normal, IL 61790-4120

Test Scores

A student applying to this program must have a 150 or better on both the GRE quantitative and verbal test. A score of 4.0 or higher on the analytical writing test is also required.

International students required to take an English proficiency test must have a TOEFL score of 90 or greater. The IELTS equivalent is approximately 6.5. 

Application Deadlines

• Fall (August) Term — February 1
• Spring (January) Term — October 1

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