School of Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences (SoLS) offers programs of studies leading to the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees. Each degree requires a research thesis (M.S.) or dissertation (Ph.D.). Research leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees may be conducted in one or more of the following fields: cellular and molecular biology; genetics; microbiology; bioinformatics; physiology; population, community, and ecosystem ecology; evolutionary biology; systematics; and biogeography. The school has well-equipped laboratories to support faculty and graduate student research. These facilities are enhanced through access to a number of specialized scientific resources, including the Nevada Genomics Center (which house state-of-the-art equipment that includes an RTPCR machine, an Amersham Typhoon imager, a microarray printer, hybridization capacity and scanner, and a DNA capillary sequencer); the UNLV Confocal and Biological Imaging Core (which houses a Nikon A1R confocal laser scanning microscope system); the Ecophysiological Research facility (which includes a greenhouse designed to support experiments at elevated levels of carbon dioxide); an AAALAC-accredited animal care facility; and regional natural history collections, including those of the Wesley E. Niles Herbarium and the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art. Investigators from the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Desert Research Institute also participate in our graduate program. Numerous funding opportunities are available through state-funded graduate assistant programs via statewide initiatives or in association with individual faculty research programs. Prospective students should make contact with one or more faculty members to familiarize themselves with their current research interests, opportunities for conducting research projects, and funding availability. A list of faculty research interests and admission materials are available online at the school’s web site.

Donald K. Price, Ph.D., Director
Helen Wing, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator  

Program Information 

School of Life Sciences Faculty  

School of Life Sciences Courses  

Department Website 

Plans 

Master of Science - Biological Sciences  

Doctor of Philosophy - Biological Sciences