Department of Environmental Sciences

Graduate Programs: Entrance Requirements

The following general information applies to all applicants. However, applications for the ecology programs and the geology programs are reviewed separately and independently by the two sub-committees (consisting of ecology faculty and geology faculty, respectively) that constitute the Department's Graduate Admissions Committee.

Master of Science Degree Programs: Biology and Geology

Acceptance by a faculty research advisor is required for admission to the M.S. program. Students with a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited university are admitted on the basis of their academic record (university transcripts and GPA), statement of objectives and three letters of recommendation. Other evidence of aptitude for advanced studies may also be considered, such as previous research experience, published papers or abstracts.

International students with a native language other than English must submit their results for either the internet-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT). This test assesses spoken English as well as other aspects of the language. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for admission is 80 on the internet based test, 213 on the computer-based (non internet) test or 550 on the paper-based version, but to be considered for financial aid minimum scores of at least 250 (computer-based or 600 paper-based) on the TOEFL. Students with acceptable scores may receive telephone calls from potential faculty advisors in order to further evaluate their spoken English as well as to discuss their educational and research interests. For more information on the Department's English language proficiency policy see below.

For all students the application for graduate studies must be made to the UToledo College of Graduate Studies. For full consideration, applications should be submitted no later than February 15. University transcripts and TOEFL score results must be reported to the University before any decisions can be made regarding admission or financial aid. "Official" copies of these documents (i.e., those sent directly from your university and the Educational Testing Service) must be provided within a few months of the student's arrival in Toledo, but when applying for admission and financial aid unofficial photocopies of these documents are acceptable. Once the College of Graduate Studies has received all the required application materials it will forward the student's file to the Department of Environmental Sciences for consideration.

Students with a baccalaureate degree in a related field are encouraged to apply but may be required to take some additional undergraduate coursework, as needed, if admitted to the graduate program.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program: Biology

Students are admitted to the Ph.D. program on the basis of their potential ability to make a unique and substantial scientific contribution to the field of ecology. Acceptance by a faculty research advisor is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their statement of educational and career objectives, previous research and teaching experience, published papers, university grade point average (GPA), three letters of recommendation and other evidence of academic performance, such as previous research experience, published papers or abstracts. Two categories of applicants will be considered: 1) those with a M.S. degree from an accredited university and 2) those with a B.S. (B.A.) from an accredited university, outstanding academic performance and proven research potential.

International students with a native language other than English must submit their results for either the internet-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT). This test assesses spoken English as well as other as other aspects of the language. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for admission is 213 on the computer-based test (or 550 on the paper-based version) but to be considered for financial aid minimum scores of at least 250 (computer-based, or 600 paper-based) on the TOEFL. For more information on the Department's English language proficiency policy see below. Applicants should contact individual faculty members in the Department of Environmental Sciences to discuss potential research topics for their degree program. Students with scores lower than those listed may still be considered for admission if their academic record shows a strong aptitude for research and their research interests have a close fit with those of a faculty member who wishes to advise the student. For full consideration for fall semester admission, applications should be submitted no later than February 15.

English Language Proficiency Policy

After arriving at UToledo and prior to your first semester of study, international students with graduate assistantships (IGAs), either teaching or research, must take the English-language proficiency screening exam administered by the university's American Language Institute (ALI). IGAs may not teach unless they receive a score of 3 (on a scale of 1-3) on this exam. Students not achieving this score must take the ALI's English-language course for IGAs during their first semester. If, at the end of this course, any students not achieving a level of English proficiency equivalent to a score of 3 on the screening exam must repeat the ALI course during their second semester. If, at the end of this semester, a student's English proficiency has still not improved to the required level, then their assistantship may be suspended until they pass the screening exam. In the latter event, the student will be responsible for covering the cost of any ALI or other English-language courses taken to improve their proficiency to the point where their assistantship can be reinstated.

Last Updated: 9/9/22