Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences
Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the School of Life Sciences offers four research concentrations: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Microbiology. Students engage in independent research, complete core and approved courses, and serve as teaching assistants. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, government, and industry as experts in their chosen field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biological Sciences within the School of Life Sciences (SoLS) consists of four sectional research concentrations that reflect the scope of modern biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Integrative Physiology (IP), Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), and Microbiology (MB). The degree is research intensive and designed to prepare students for careers in academia, government, and industry as engaged scholars who are experts in their chosen field. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours from a list of core and approved courses within their research section. They must engage in independent research that is novel and exciting culminating with a dissertation that makes an important contribution to their chosen field. As such, it is expected that their dissertation work will be published in peer reviewed journals with the student listed as first author. Successful students are also trained and expected to develop as effective teachers and educators, and each student must serve as a teaching assistant for two semesters as part of the degree program.
Outline:
Core Courses:
- BIOL 701 - Ethics in Scientific Research
- BIOL 702 - Biology Graduate Core
Required Courses:
- Varies depending on research section
Didactic Courses:
- Advisor-approved didactic courses
Seminar Courses:
- BIOL 793 - Advanced Topics in Life Sciences
- BIOL 796 - Graduate Seminar
Elective Courses:
- Advisor-approved independent study, colloquium, seminar, or didactic courses
