Potential Ph.D. and M.S.
students
are invited to apply
to the WVU Biology graduate
program
for study under the
supervision
of Dr. Karen S. Weiler.
The type of research training you will
receive....
We are a Drosophila genetics / genomics lab
and regularly
practice the tools of the trade. As a student you will become
adept
at designing and carrying out Drosophila crosses. We use various
methods of mutagenesis as a means to study gene function.
Transgenic
flies are produced by germline transformation. Mutants are
analyzed
at the cytological, phenotypic and molecular levels. We use a
range
of molecular techniques in our research: cloning with a variety
of
vectors, restriction analysis, Southerns, Northerns, Westerns, plasmid
and phage
preparation, site-directed mutagenesis, various PCR methodologies (PCR,
inverse PCR, RT-PCR etc.), in situ hybridization, DNA sequencing,
yeast two-hybrid, immunocytochemistry...
BECOMING A GRADUATE SUDENT AT WVU
How to begin...
Potential students interested in working in
the Weiler lab should apply to the Ph.D. program or M.S. program in
Biology. Please refer to our department's webpage for a
brief
overview
of our graduate programs. Applicants do not directly apply for a
position in a particular laboratory, but rather apply to the graduate
program
and specify their desire to work with a particular faculty member in
the
application materials. Communication with the selected faculty
member
during the application process is advisable.
More detailed information about how to
apply can be found on the department's Application
Information page. While the application form and fee are
directed to the WVU Graduate School, letters of reference and a
personal statement should be sent to the Biology department.
You can apply to WVU online from this page.
WVU application forms can be obtained online from this page.
You must have official transcripts and GRE (and TOEFL) scores sent as part of the application process.
Dept. of Biology Minimum Entrance Standards:
How graduate student funding works....
Entering graduate students are typically
awarded a teaching assistantship by the Biology Department. The
teaching assistantships
(TAs)
are awarded only
each spring, for the following academic year. They include a
tuition waiver, cover some
fees and provide a living allowance (stipend) in return for work as a
teaching
assistant for one of our undergraduate laboratory courses. The
stipend is paid over 9 months. Summer income is not guaranteed,
although there are a limited number of teaching assistantships
available on a competitive basis. Summer support may be available
through a research assistantship, subject to the availability of grant
funding. See the
department's Application
Information page for current stipend levels.
Potential students are encouraged to apply for fellowships, such as
WVU's Swiger fellowship or a predoctoral
fellowship from the National Science Foundation. WVU fellowship
opportunities are described here.
Useful Links....
WVU
Graduate Education Homepage
Information
for International Students
Return to Weiler Home Page