Graduate Studies in Physical, Mathematical, andLifeSciences

Michigan State University is home to more than one

thousand graduate students who are pursuing

advanced degrees across the physical, mathematical,

and life sciences. A major research and teaching institution, MSU has

outstanding faculty and provides world-class facilities.

Because the basic concepts and foundations of science and

mathematics continually evolve, our approach to scholarship must

adapt. An important evolution in science and mathematics is the

blurring of the boundaries of the various disciplines. Among the

goals of our graduate programs is promoting an environment in

which students can easily cross traditional boundaries and engage

in studies that involve collaborations among life, physical, and

mathematical scientists. This collaborative research approach is

synergetic with the university’s goal of advancing fundamental

knowledge in traditional areas. This interdisciplinary approach

prepares MSU graduate students for the complex challenges of

science in the future and for various careers.

Graduate programs in the sciences at MSU are organized around

traditional disciplines as well as nontraditional dynamic partnerships

that evolve when faculty from different areas come together to solve

new sets of problems.

Collaboration and customization are the core of graduate studies

in the sciences at MSU. Students are encouraged to explore their

individual interests in the many areas of science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics. The environment at MSU is

welcoming, with flexible prospects for students to enhance their

education through opportunities that only a major research

institution can provide.

MSU alumni enjoy diverse careers in academic institutions,

government agencies, research institutes, and private industry.

With nearly 400,000 alumni worldwide, MSU is a global leader in

advancing knowledge and transforming lives.

MSU College of Natural Science Graduate Programs

Source: Office of Planning and Budgets (http://opbweb.opb.msu.edu/)

ChooseyourpathofdiscoveryAdvanced study is available through the following degree programs and specializations:

Astrophysics and Astronomy

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics

Cell and Molecular Biology

Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology

Chemistry

Cognitive Science

Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior

Entomology

Environmental Science and Policy

Environmental Toxicology

Food Science

Genetics

Geological Sciences

Human Nutrition

Mathematics

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Neuroscience

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Physics

Physiology

Plant Biology

Quantitative Biology and Modeling

Science and Mathematics Education

Statistics and Probability

Zoology

Enrollment2005-2006

Master’s Students: 18%

Doctoral Students: 82%

Student’s Home Residence2005-2006

Michigan:25%

Intenational:47%

Out-of-State:28%

In addition to the many opportunities

associated with a major research-

intensive university, MSU offers one-on-

one contact with faculty that enables

students to customize their studies

according to personal strengths and

interests.

Graduate students are able to explore

and develop their true academic interests

by utilizing the network of more than 350

faculty and 23 programs that collaborate

to enhance scholarship in the physical,

mathematical, and life sciences.

Throughout their experience at MSU,

graduate students work closely with

the faculty who possess a shared

interest in scientific research and

graduate education. Many faculty have

appointments in multiple departments

across campus, which extends the

opportunities for collaborative and

broad-based training opportunities.

Many research programs utilize the

clinical populations available through the

veterinary, osteopathic, and allopathic

medical schools at MSU.

Faculty representing nearly all of

MSU’s 14 colleges, including the three

medical schools, cooperate in funding,

advising, training, and providing career

development advice to students. The

integrative nature of graduate education

is the foundation of MSU’s philosophy

that the future of science relies on

collaboration and connections among all

disciplines.

Left: The 4.1-meter Southern Astrophysical Research, or SOAR, telescope can be controlled from the MSU campus to capture extraordinary deep-space images and spectra in both the optical and infrared. Above: Marcos Dantus, professor of chemistry, leads a research group on femtosecond chemical dynamics and coherent laser control that has developed a method for automated fast light pulse generated analysis.

Left: Jerry Dodgson, professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, holds the first bird to have its genome sequenced—research that will lead to better disease treatments and new vaccines for human ailments. Center:Simon Billinge, professor of physics and astronomy, leads the research team examining the arrangement of atoms in nanoparticles and developing techniques for determining the atomic scale structure of nanostructured materials.Right: Graduate students working with Kay Holekamp, professor of zoology, study hyenas in Kenya as part of a research project on mammalian reproductive biology.

The diverse research opportunities at MSU include programs with

international scope. MSU recognizes the increasing importance of

state-of-the-art resources in research instrumentation and is committed

to providing world-class facilities for the research community.

Many of the major research instruments on campus are components

of university-wide core facilities. These are available to researchers and

graduate students across various areas of study.

On-campus research centers and facilities include:

900MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility

Advanced Applications in Glycochemistry, Laboratory for

Advanced Microscopy, Center for

Core Flow Cytometry Facility

Food Safety and Toxicology Center, National

Global Change and Earth Observations, Center for

High Performance Computer Center

Macromolecular Structure, Sequencing, and Synthesis Facility

Mass Spectrometry Facility

Max T. Rogers NMR Facility

Microbial Ecology, Center for

Microbial Pathogenesis, Center for

Nutritional Genomics Initiative

Plant Research Laboratory, Department of Energy

Proteomics Facility

Quantitative Biology and Modeling Initiative

Quantum Science, Institute for

Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Science, Center for

Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, National

Research Technology Support Facility

Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope

Statistical Training and Consulting, Center for

Structural Biology, Michigan Center for

Top: Aizhuo Liu, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, directs the biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance facility that includes a 900 MHz NMR spectrometer used to examine the structure-function relationships of biomacromolecules. Bottom: The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at MSU is the leading rare isotope research facility in the United States and provides a hands-on training ground for tomorrow’s nuclear scientists.

Students may enroll in any relevant graduate-level

course and conduct research with a wide range

of faculty members in a discipline related to the

student’s field of study. While graduate programs are

individualized for each student, the following outlines

the timeline for a typical, laboratory-based life science

doctoral program:

During their first year, students begin coursework and

structured laboratory rotations that expose them to

different hands-on research environments. MSU’s size

allows students to explore different topics and research

areas through a variety of rotations, thereby enabling

them to discover specific interests among related

programs.

The second year of study entails more focused

laboratory work following the choice of a research

mentor. Students enroll in a limited number of

advanced elective courses.

In the third year of study, students engage more fully in

dissertation research in the laboratory of their choice;

this research typically takes three to four years.

Some programs follow a more coursework-based model

in which students spend several years taking classes

and then conduct research at the end of their studies.

Each program is unique, and prospective students

should consider a variety of options to determine the

plan that best fits their career goals and interests.

In addition to the programs and specializations, there

are certificates, workshops, and seminars designed to

prepare students for future roles as faculty.

With few exceptions, students are fully funded. The

type and quantity of support varies based on program,

research, and student interest.

Students accepted into doctoral programs receive fully

funded fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships—

including tuition, fees, health insurance, and a

competitive stipend—regardless of financial need.

Below: Hira Koul, professor of statistics and probability, leads research in nonparametric and semiparametric statistical inference, time series analysis and weighted empirical processes that has gained international recognition. Right: Michele Fluck, professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, leads a lab centered on understanding neoplastic transformation and oncogenesis by Polyomavirus (PyV) and the characterization of mammary gland tumors that are induced following PyV infection. Belowright: Rawle Hollingsworth, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, leads research in the application of carbohydrates in medicine and materials.

Brian CampbellDoctoral StudentMicrobiology and Molecular Genetics“Visit the programs you are interested in so that you can talk to professors and students to find out what the experience is like. They can provide great advice and are a tremendous source of information.”

Kaliris Salas-RamirezDoctoral StudentNeuroscience“Prospective students should visit the Web sites and e-mail the faculty to find out who has funding and who has openings. This allows you to make a good decision so you know exactly what you are getting into since you are committing yourself to several years of your life.”

1. Visit the department and program Web sites for the broad array of options MSU offers. Be sure to consider departments and programs that may relate to your interests. Examine the various degree options available and explore the research interests of the faculty.

2. Contact the department(s) of interest. Faculty will help you make the most-informed decision, so ask plenty of questions.

3. Review the departmental material including the specific steps for application. This varies based on the program and department, so review the information closely.

4. Begin the online application process at the MSU Graduate School (http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/apply.htm). The online system allows you to save your information as you collect all the necessary materials.

MSU connects prospective students with the faculty in their programs of interest. This one-on-one connection enables students to begin building relationships while getting clear advice and direct answers.

Once contact with a specific program or department has been made, prospective students receive detailed information on application procedures, deadlines, and financial assistance. Much of this information can be readily accessed through the programs’ Web sites.

Applications for admission are due by the end of the calendar year. However, students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible.

Students considered for admission are invited to campus for interviews. These are generally conducted early in the calendar year.

Offers to students are made during the winter and spring—typically concluding in mid-April.

Howtoapply:

MSU’s Women in Chemistry group addresses concerns of women pursuing advanced degrees in all science disciplines and regularly conducts programs promoting cultural and gender diversity in the sciences.

Rashad SimmonsDoctoral StudentChemistry“Start the application process early since it gives you more opportunities and allows you to begin many of the other processes like selecting an adviser and starting on research.“

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biologyhttp://www.bch.msu.edu/graduate Phone: (517) 353-0807

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Programhttp://medtech.cls.msu.edu/Masters/Phone: (517) 353-7800

Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Programhttp://www.ns.msu.edu/cmb/Phone: (517) 355-8916

Department of Chemistryhttp://www.chemistry.msu.edu/Graduate/graduate.aspPhone: (517) 355-9715 ext. 343

Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and BehaviorInterdepartmental Graduate Programhttp://www.msu.edu/~eebb/ Phone: (517) 432-1359

Department of Entomologyhttp://www.ent.msu.edu/Programs/programs_index.htmPhone: (517) 355-4665

Environmental Science and Policy Programhttp://environment.msu.eduPhone: (517) 432-8296

Environmental Toxicology Programhttp://www.iet.msu.edu/grad_progs/gradprog.htmPhone 517/353-6469

Department of Food Science and Human Nutritionhttp://www.msu.edu/unit/fshn/Phone: (517) 355-8474 ext. 129

Genetics Graduate Programhttp://www.ns.msu.edu/genetics/ Phone: (517) 353-9845

Department of Geological Scienceshttp://geology.msu.edu/ Phone: (517) 355-4626

Department of Mathematicshttp://www.math.msu.edu/Graduate/Phone: (517) 353-6338

Mathematics Education Graduate Programhttp://www.dsme.msu.edu/mathed/Phone (517) 355-1708 ext. 105

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Geneticshttp://mmg.msu.edu/grad_overview.htm Phone: (517) 355-6463 ext. 1503

Neuroscience Programhttp://www.ns.msu.edu/neurosci/Phone: (517) 353-8947

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicologyhttp://www.phmtox.msu.edu/program/Phone: (517) 353-7146

Department of Physics and Astronomyhttp://www.pa.msu.edu/grad/Phone: (517) 355-9200 ext. 2032

Department of Physiologyhttp://www.psl.msu.edu/grad/ Phone: (517) 355-6475

Department of Plant Biologyhttp://www.plantbiology.msu.edu/grad.shtml Phone: (517) 432-4429

Department of Statistics and Probabilityhttp://www.stt.msu.edu/programs/Graduate/gh.htmlPhone: (517) 355-9589

Department of Zoologyhttp://zoology.msu.edu/academics/graduate.html Phone: (517) 355-4642

Choose your path of discoverywww.ns.msu.edu/graduate

These microscopy images were generated by the MSU’s Center for Advanced Microscopy, which provides researchers access to scanning electron, transmission electron, scanning probe, and laser scanning confocal microscopy.

Collaboration and customization go together at MSU as students explore their individual interests in the areas of physical, mathematical, and life sciences.

With the resources available only from a major research institution, graduate students enjoy a connected environment filled with opportunities to enhance their education.

MSU is a place to explore areas of science that will forever shape the world.

Fronttop: The Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, which opened in 2002, provides classroom space, laboratories, and faculty offices to many science programs at MSU. Frontcenter: Rita Sharma, a doctoral student in Michael Thomashow’s lab, harvests arabidopsis seeds. The lab conducts research to understand the molecular genetic mechanisms that plants have evolved to tolerate environmental stresses. Frontbottom: Julius Jackson, professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, focuses on the integration of mathematics in biology while conducting research on bacterial genomics and physiology.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution.

Supported by the National Science Foundation Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Program

Produced for the College of Natural Science by Marketing and Creative Services,Division of University Relations, MSU06-NAT-017

Above: The portion of MSU’s 5,200-acre East Lansing campus south of the Red Cedar River is home to many of the laboratories, greenhouses, research centers, and departments for the physical, mathematical, and life sciences. Below: Xudong Fan operates the transmission electron microscope at MSU’s Center for Advanced Microscopy.