Interdepartmental Genetics Graduate Program - M.S./Ph.D.

Financial Support

The Genetics M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are research based and students spend a significant portion of their graduate training in the laboratory. The student conducts research under the supervision of the professorial staff to develop not only technical and manipulative skills, but also to foster originality, imagination, judgment, and patience--the traits of an independent scholar. Because of this, admission is not offered without financial support.

Research Assistantships

The majority of available research assistantships and fellowships are competively awarded to qualified applicants who plan to work towards the Doctor of Philosophy degree. (There are some assistantships available to support students seeking a Master's Degree in Genetics.) Incoming students admitted for fall are appointed as research assistants and have the opportunity to rotate through three or more laboratories before choosing a major professor and home department by the end of March. The Interdepartmental Genetics basic stipend for rotation students is $1,833.33 per month for the school year 2007-2008. After completion of rotations, stipend support is provided at the lab or departmental rate by the major professor or home department.

Tuition

Ph.D. students on assistantship for at least three months of the fall and spring semesters (six weeks in the summer), who maintain a 3.0 GPA and are making good progress towards their degree received a full tuition scholarship. Students are responsible for fees and text books. M.S. students on an assistantship for at least three months of the fall and spring semesters (six weeks in the summer), maintaining a 3.0 GPA and making good progress toward their degree receive a 50% tuition scholarship, assessed at the in-state rates. Students are responsible for the remaining tuition, fees and textbooks. Information on tuition and fees can be found here.

Spouses of students on assistantship who enroll at Iowa State are assessed in-state tuition rates.

Benefits Statement for students on assistantships.

Health Insurance. Graduate assistants receive single student coverage free of charge under the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Plan. Coverage for hospital, accident expenses, surgical care, and maternity care are included. Married graduate students with dependents (spouse, domestic partner, and/or child(ren) may enroll their dependents by paying the appropriate insurance premium.

Dental Insurance. Dental insurance is available for an additional premium. Information can be found on-line through the ISU homepgage.

Prescription Drug Benefit Program. Graduate assistants are eligible to participate in a prescription drug benefit program that reduces the cost of generic and prescription drugs available at the Student Health Center Pharmacy. Dependents are eligible for the program only if the graduaet assistant is enrolled in the Student and Health Insurance Plan.

Participating Departments

Agronomy

Animal Science

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology

Entomology

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Horticulture

Genetics, Development and Cell Biology

Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Plant Pathology

Statistics

Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine

Veterinary Pathology