MSc in Biological Sciences - Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics in Normal United States | Illinois State University

The Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics (BEES) section brings together students, faculty, and post-doctoral researchers who explore diverse topics across ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, physiology, and systematics. Our work fosters integrative, cooperative research both within the BEES community and with other departments in the School, as well as with academic partners at other institutions. BEES research spans multiple biological scales—from genetic mechanisms to whole organisms, and from population dynamics to community ecology. We investigate core scientific questions about evolutionary processes, organism-environment relationships, biodiversity patterns, and conservation strategies for species and habitats. This program strengthens students' grasp of unifying principles in behavior, ecology, evolution, and systematics while offering specialized training in particular organisms and advanced methodologies, ranging from molecular biology to neurobiology and physiological studies.