Admissions

Students applying for admission to the Graduate College for degree status should consult the Graduate College Website for a full description of forms and procedures. Forms for the application to the programs are available in PDF and Microsoft Word Format. Adobe Reader required to view PDF format.

Minimal Requirements for Admission to the Department of Biology Graduate Program

  1. A student must have Department of Biology faculty member willing to serve as his/her graduate advisor.
  2. A 3.0 (or higher) overall undergraduate grade point average is required for admittance to degree status. Students who have a 2.5 to 2.9 GPA may be admitted to provisional degree status depending on other indicators of academic potential.
  3. Demonstrate potential to succeed in graduate studies (performed well in upper division science coursework, previous research experience, work experience in a scientific discipline, etc.
  4. Favorable letters of recommendation.

Procedure for Application to the Department of Biology Master of Arts and Master of Science Graduate Programs for U.S. Residents.

  1. Explore the Department of Biology faculty’s research programs (http://www.biology.uni.edu/about_facstaff.html) and discuss the possibility of working on your graduate degree with several faculty members.
  2. All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  3. Obtain and complete an Application for Admission to Graduate Study. This form is found on the right side “Graduate College” box on this page. It can be completed online or if a paper copy is submitted, it should be mailed to the Office of the Registrar, Gilchrist 243, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006. Accompanying this form should be a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 unless you received or anticipate receiving a degree from the University of Northern Iowa. The application review process will be delayed until the application fee is received.
  4. Transcripts must be sent to the Office of the Registrar, Gilchrist 243, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006.
  5. Obtain and complete a Biology Department Graduate Program Application. Click on the departmental application form on the right side “Biology Dept” box on this page to download a copy. The completed forms need to be sent to the Department of Biology, McCollum Science Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421.
  6. Three letters of recommendation need to be sent to the Department of Biology, McCollum Science Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421. Click on the departmental application form on the right side “Biology Dept” box on this page to download a copy of this form.

Procedure for Application to the Department of Biology Master of Arts and Master of Science Graduate Programs for International Students.

  1. Explore the Department of Biology faculty’s research programs (http://www.biology.uni.edu/about_facstaff.html) and discuss the possibility of working on your graduate degree with several faculty members.
  2. International graduate students must have matriculated from a four-year undergraduate academic program with results equivalent to a 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Obtain and complete an Application for Admission to Graduate Study. The application may be filled out online at http://access.uni.edu/cgi-bin/admissions/internatapp.cgi or you may down load the application at http://access.uni.edu/forms/adm/inapp.pdf A non-refundable fee of $50 must accompany your application. The application review process will be delayed until the application fee is received. Send the completed application and $50 fee to International Admissions, 002 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0164, USA.
  4. Obtain and complete a Biology Department Graduate Program Application. Click on the departmental application form on the right side “Biology Dept” box on this page to download a copy. Send the completed application to International Admissions, 002 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0164, USA.
  5. All official school transcripts, each bearing the seal and signature of a school registrar and mailed directly from the institution to UNI’s International Services Office (113 Mauker Union, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0164). Academic records must be submitted in the language of instruction and accompanied by an English translation.
  6. A TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79(iBT) or higher for applicants whose first language is not English.
  7. Three letters of recommendation must be sent to International Admissions, 002 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0164, USA. These forms are found at http://www.biology.uni.edu/docs/grad_recommendation.pdf
  8. Additional requirements for specific programs can be found at http://www.uni.edu/intladm/gradmajors.shtml

Procedure for Application for Stipend Support and Tuition Scholarship Awards

Stipends and Tuition Scholarship awards are very competitive and only a few students receive these awards. However, the Department of Biology encourages all applicants to apply for these awards.
  1. Obtain and complete the Graduate Assistantship Stipend Application Forms. These forms are found at http://www.grad.uni.edu/_files/forms/StipendApp.pdf Return the completed forms to the Department of Biology, McCollum Science Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421.
  2. Obtain and complete the Graduate Tuition Scholarship Application Forms. These forms are found at http://www.grad.uni.edu/_files/forms/TuitionApp.pdf Return the completed forms to the Department of Biology, McCollum Science Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421.

International Students Contact:

113 Maucker Union
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018
USA
Tel.: +1.319.273.5925
Fax: +1.319.273.2885
Email: UGINternational.Admissions@uni.edu

and

International Services
http://www.uni.edu/intladm/iso/
1021 W. 23rd St.
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0521
USA

Program Coordinators

For more information, contact the coordinator or the graduate program you wish to enter:

MS-Biology and MA-Biology
Dr. David Saunders, Email: david.saunders@uni.edu

Environmenal Science
Dr. Maureen Clayton, Email: maureen.clayton@uni.edu

PSM Biotechnology
Dr. Kavita Dhanwada, Email: kavita.dhanwada@uni.edu

PSM Ecosystem Management
Dr. Laura Jackson, Email: laura.l.jackson@uni.edu
Dr. Mark Myers, Email: mark.myers@uni.edu