Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Life Sciences with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Genome Sciences is designed for students who wish to conduct research that is integrative across multiple disciplines and takes a systems approach to emerging research questions across the life sciences.

Program Mission

The program is designed for students who want to conduct research that is integrative across multiple disciplines and that takes a systems approach to emerging research questions across the many fields that comprise the life sciences. Students may opt to work with research faculty members from any department, center, or institute across VCU campuses.

Program Goals

The program has three main goals:

1. Interdisciplinary knowledge and skills: The core curriculum will assist students in gaining understanding of modern systems biology along with training in the interdisciplinary skills and knowledge required for effective research in the life sciences.
2. Research skills: The mentored research component will foster development of an ability to synthesize learning and identify key focus areas for integrative research.
3. Communication skills: Students will develop skills in both written and oral communication of life science knowledge, experimental design, results, and interpretation to various audiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

The program has five student learning outcomes:

1. Oral communication skills: The candidate will demonstrate appropriate oral communication skills.
2. Written communication skills: The candidate will demonstrate appropriate written communication skills.
3. Experimental design: The candidate will demonstrate competence in appraising, modifying, and creating experimental protocols.
4. Problem-solving skills: The candidate will demonstrate skill in identifying and selecting meaningful problems to be addressed in bioscience research.
5. Integrated knowledge: The candidate will demonstrate knowledge of the life sciences and a detailed understanding of the disciplines pertinent to their research area.

Admission Requirements

• Degree: Ph.D.
• Semester(s) of entry: Fall (preferred)
• Deadline dates: January 10
• Test requirements: TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent for international students Additional requirements include:
  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree preparative for graduate-level study in the life sciences
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Letters of recommendation from three professors, advisers, or mentors
  • A written statement describing research interests, motivation, research experience, education, and goals

Degree Requirements

• Credit-hour requirements: Minimum of 64 graduate-level credit hours
• Grade requirement: Overall GPA of 3.0 with a grade of C in no more than one course
• Transfer/waiver credit: Graduate-level VCU course work may be evaluated to determine if it can be used to fulfill degree requirements
• Research adviser and committee: Students should select a research adviser prior to matriculation and form a research advisory committee
• Written and oral examinations: Students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination and a research proposal examination
• Dissertation research: The dissertation research project should represent a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in its field

Curriculum Requirements

A minimum total of 64 graduate credit hours is required, distributed as follows:

• Core courses: 6 hours
• Scientific integrity: 1 hour
• Advanced statistics, advanced mathematics, or experimental design course: 3 hours
• Technologies course: 3 hours
• Additional required concentration courses: 8 hours
• Recommended elective courses: 11 hours
• Directed research: 32 hours

Typical Plan of Study

Many students often end up taking more than the minimum number of hours required for a degree program. The total number of hours may vary depending on the program, nature of research, or enrollment status.

M.D.-Ph.D. Opportunity

The M.D.-Ph.D. program allows students to pursue both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees using a coordinated program of study.