In the School of Integrative Biology (SIB), we are working to solve grand scientific challenges of the 21st century while seeking excellence and national visibility. We occupy a unique interdisciplinary position on campus. Our research explores how scales of life interact, from molecules through global cycles, with a direction towards understanding the mechanisms of organismal functions and the evolution and ecology of organisms. Our researchers are investigating sustainable food and biofuel production; addressing global change; improving human health; mitigating biodiversity loss; and contributing to ecosystem restoration. The SIB community collaborates extensively on both research and teaching, leading to multi-disciplinary mentorship.

Illinois's Entomology Department has a long history of its alumni forging successful careers at a wide range of institutions, including land grant universities, small private liberal arts colleges, federal laboratories, zoos, museums, and consulting firms.

Illinois's Plant Biology Department is a leader in exploring the complexities of plant life, from molecular mechanisms to ecosystem dynamics. The department works to advance the understanding of plant biology to address global challenges like climate change, food security, and biodiversity conservation.