威斯康星大學麥迪遜分校

The Department of Integrative Biology offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science in zoology. Facilities and staff are available for advanced study in a wide variety of zoological fields including aquatic and terrestrial ecology, conservation biology, cell/molecular/developmental and neurobiology, endocrinology, ethology, genetics, evolution and systematic, comparative physiology, and physiological ecology.

In addition to a broad range of well-equipped laboratories, research facilities include advanced microscopy facilities, limnological laboratories on campus (Lake Mendota) and in northern Wisconsin (Trout Lake), the University Arboretum, the Zoological Museum and a Molecular Systematic Laboratory.

Learning outcomes

• Master fundamental skills in at least one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Zoology.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of major current and past theories, research findings, and methodologies and techniques in their area of concentration.
• Students will develop critical thinking skills. They will retrieve and examine scientific literature, evaluate evidence for and against hypotheses, identify knowledge gaps, strengths and weaknesses in existing literature, synthesize knowledge, and develop conclusions.
• Students will complete an original research project in one of the broad subject areas represented in the Department of Zoology.
• Students will retrieve, evaluate, and interpret professional scientific literature and use this information to select and/or use the most appropriate methods for their own research project.
• Students will conduct research, analyze, and interpret resulting data. Students will prepare a thesis or research report describing their research project.
• Effectively communicate in writing and orally.
• Students will write a clear and concise research report.
• Students will present research articulately and informatively. Students will have opportunities to engage in public outreach and education.
• Students will have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
• Students will be trained to use scientific rigor when designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting and reporting results.
• Students will be trained in the ethics of publishing.
• Students will know and adhere to laws, regulations, needed permits and licenses, occupational health and safety standards.
• Students will be provided with diverse training that will prepare them for a range of flexible and sustainable careers (e.g., academia, industry, government, science policy and administration, science commerce, science writing, law, and science education and outreach at all levels).
• Students will develop broadly applicable skills in critical thinking and problem solving.
• Students will have opportunities for teamwork, communication skills, and collaborations.