Overview
Northwestern University's Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Graduate Programs
Northwestern University's biological and life sciences graduate programs have a wide array of excellent interdisciplinary training opportunities. The Interdepartmental Biological Sciences program faculty members who train graduate students are located on Northwestern University's Evanston and Chicago campuses. The biological and life sciences campuses, separated by twelve miles, are both located on the shore of Lake Michigan--in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois--and conveniently linked by bus shuttles.
Two programs are offered: the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences program (IBiS) and the Integrated Graduate Program in Life Sciences (IGP).The Interdepartmental Biological Sciences program (IBiS) draws on faculty on the Evanston campus from both the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the McCormick School of Engineering.
The Integrated Graduate Program in Life Sciences (IGP) is located on Northwestern University's Chicago campus and at Children's Memorial Hospital, and is comprised of faculty from the Feinberg School of Medicine.
The two programs have overlapping--though not identical--research concentrations, and share similar academic and professional development training. Students in the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences program and the Integrated Graduate Program in Life Science benefit from the sense of community that smaller programs provide while still having access to all the resources of Northwestern University.
Research in the IBiS and IGP Programs
The Interdepartmental Biological Sciences programs at Northwestern University train outstanding students to pursue innovative interdisciplinary research in a broad spectrum of disciplines that include developmental biology, reproductive biology, structural biology, cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, cellular neurobiology, molecular neurobiology, neuroscience, bioengineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
Specific research areas for the IBiS program include: cell biology and genetics, cancer biology; biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology; developmental systems and stem cell biology; biotechnology, nanotechnology, and bioengineering; chemistry of life processes and biological chemistry; and neuroscience.
Specific research areas for the IGP include: cancer biology; cell biology; developmental biology; drug discovery and chemical biology; evolutionary biology; immunology and microbial pathogenesis; molecular biology and genetics; neurobiology; pharmacology; and structural biology and biochemistry.
A collaborative research environment, an engaged, internationally recognized faculty, and a flexible, rigorous curriculum provide exceptional training and research opportunities. A multifaceted professional development program further prepares Interdepartmental Biological Sciences students for a broad range of post-degree career options.
Northwestern University Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Application
The Interdepartmental Biological Sciences programs at Northwestern University are set on the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston and Chicago. Applicants are encouraged to explore the faculty and other components of each program to find the one that best suits their research interests.
Applicants apply to only one program, but admitted students may do laboratory rotations and take classes in either program and on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses.
The application deadline is December 1.
