Program Overview

Biological Sciences, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences is an interdepartmental umbrella research program that provides opportunities for students to develop scholarly, innovative, and independent work. Courses are designed to strengthen and complement the student's research. An advisory committee helps guide each student in selecting classes and other learning experiences. Students are encouraged to present their research at national and international meetings and to publish in peer-reviewed journals. Seminar series featuring prominent scientists expose students to exciting topics and help students develop collaborative contacts.

Advance to Candidacy

In addition to the coursework outlined below, students must pass a qualifying exam.

Post-Candidacy

All students must complete at least 12 credits of BISI899 Doctoral Dissertation Research and successfully complete and defend an original dissertation. Students will also present that dissertation work in a seminar.

Program Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements:

• Core Requirements:
  • Select three credits of graduate seminar courses (3 credits)
  • Select nine credits of advanced coursework (9 credits)
  • Select one course in Bioethics (3 credits)
  • BISI701: Teaching & Professional Development in Biology (1 credit)
• Specialization Requirements:
  • Select one of the following concentrations:
    • Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics (BEES)
    • Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genomics (CBBG)
    • Molecular and Cell Biology (MOCB)
    • Physiological Systems (PSYS)
• Dissertation Research Requirements:
  • BISI899: Doctoral Dissertation Research (12 credits)
• Total Credits: 32-46

Concentration Options

Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics (BEES)

• Course List:
  • BEES608: Seminar in Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (BEES608A) (1 credit)
  • Approved Statistics course or quantitative course (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 4

Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genomics (CBBG)

• Course List:
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG688Y - Bioinformatics and Genomics) (2 credits)
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG688P - Programming for Biology) (2 credits)
  • CBMG699: Special Problems in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG699D - Bioinformatics and Computation Biology Seminar Series) (2 credits)
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG688B - Bioethics) (1 credit)
  • Electives (5 credits)
• Total Credits: 12

Molecular and Cell Biology (MOCB)

• Course List:
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CMBG688D - Cell Biology I: Structure and Function) (2 credits)
  • BCHM661: Nucleic Acids I (2 credits)
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CMGB688F - Gene Expression) (2 credits)
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG6881 - Genetic Analysis) (2 credits)
  • CBMG688: Special Topics in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG688B - Bioethics) (2 credits)
  • Electives (8 credits)
• Total Credits: 18

Physiological Systems (PSYS)

• Course List:
  • Bioethics course (3 credits)
  • Graduate Seminar course (1-3 credits)
  • Three core graduate level courses (2-4 credits)
  • Statistics or quantitative course (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 9-13