All students must meet the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Overview
Students pursue coursework and conduct their dissertation research with Biology Graduate Program faculty in one or several biological sub-disciplines.
Learning goals for the Ph.D. degree students:
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Be able to design and execute an independent research project, and analyze and communicate experimental results orally and in writing
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Be proficient in analysis and visualization of experimental results
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Be able to articulate and defend the rationale and importance of research questions, study design, and analysis of results
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Be able to communicate general and specific knowledge and importance of findings to a broad audience as well as experts within sub-disciplines
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Have a broad factual and conceptual knowledge and understanding of biology
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
There are 75 required credits, of which at least 30 must be graded credits. Students may take up to 6 credits of 3000- or 4000-level courses for graduate credit with approval of the course instructor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate College. The selection of courses will be designated for each student by the advisor and graduate studies committee. At least 20, but not more than 45, credits must be earned in dissertation research. Each candidate must participate in the teaching of at least 1 undergraduate course.
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (21 Credits) | ||
| BIOL 6005 | Graduate Seminar (5 credits required) | 1 |
| BIOL 6010 | Biology Seminar (4 credits required) | 1 |
| BIOL 6000 | Professional Skills and Ethics | 2 |
| BIOL 6100 | Computational Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 6015 | Scientific Writing in Life Sci | 2 |
| At least 4 credits in Topics in or Foundations in courses from the following: | 4 | |
| Topics In: Eco & Evo | ||
| Topics In: Cell & Dev | ||
| Topics In: General Biology | ||
| Foundations in Eco & Evo | ||
| Foundations in Cell & Dev | ||
| Foundations in General Biology | ||
| Electives (Minimum of 9 credits, which typically include the following) | ||
| Topics In: Eco & Evo | ||
| Topics In: Cell & Dev | ||
| Topics In: General Biology | ||
| Foundations in Eco & Evo | ||
| Foundations in Cell & Dev | ||
| Foundations in General Biology | ||
| Ecological Genomics | ||
| Foundations Quant Reasoning | ||
| BiLDS Seminar | ||
| Internship | ||
| Teaching Assistantship | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Research (20-45 credits) | ||
| BIOL 7491 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | 1-18 |
Comprehensive Examination
Students take Proposal Writing the spring semester of their second semester during which they prepare a written research proposal. The comprehensive exam evaluates the written proposal and has two oral parts. The first oral part is a defense of the written proposal. The second oral part evaluates the student’s understanding of the broad range of concepts in the student's discipline. The comprehensive examination takes place before the end of May of their second year.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Successful completion of the comprehensive examination is required for advancement to candidacy.