Biological Sciences, PHD
Chairperson: Michelle Mynlieff, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences website
Degree Offered
Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The biological sciences graduate program aspires to train experimental scientists capable of teaching and directing independent research by providing a broad theoretical background and an appreciation for the rigor of the scientific method. This program provides excellent training in modern biology suitable for jobs in academia, industry and government, and offers students research experiences using all areas of modern biological techniques to study molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, systems and organism functioning.
Biological Sciences Doctorate
Specializations: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neurophysiology, Physiology
The program of course work and research for the doctoral degree is determined in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. Each student is advised to take such courses as are properly related to academic background and research interests. All doctoral students are required to gain the equivalent of one year of teaching experience during the program.
A doctoral student must complete a program of study, defined in conjunction with their advisory committee, on an approved Doctoral Program Planning Form. Advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree is considered following successful completion of the lecture course work specified in the Doctoral Program Planning Form and after passing the qualifying exam. Following advancement to candidacy, students must submit a Dissertation Research Plan that is approved by their advisory committee.
A typical doctoral student completes a minimum required 24 credit hours of course work and 12 credit hours of dissertation work. Course work includes the required 2-credit courses BIOL 8005 Scientific Writing and BIOL 8004 Advanced Experimental Design, a minimum of five 2-3 credit graduate lecture courses, 5 credits of research courses, and five 1-credit seminar courses. All students must enroll in the no-credit BIOL 6952 Department Colloquium during each term in residence.
In order to meet the residency requirement, doctoral students in the Department of Biological Sciences must be enrolled with full-time status for at least two consecutive academic years while working under the direction of their advisory committee chair and advisory committee.
The student must submit and defend a dissertation and present a public research seminar after completing all other formal requirements for the doctoral degree.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required experimental design and writing courses: | 4 | |
Advanced Experimental Design | ||
Scientific Writing | ||
Lecture courses (2-3 cr. each) - Choose five courses from the following: | 10-15 | |
Experimental Molecular Biology | ||
Genomics and Bioinformatics | ||
Biochemistry 2: Bioenergetics and Metabolism | ||
Advanced Ecology | ||
Tropical Ecology in Panama | ||
Molecular Evolution | ||
Exercise Physiology | ||
Immunobiology | ||
Biometry | ||
Protein Structure and Function | ||
Biochemistry and Function of Nucleic Acids | ||
Proteostasis | ||
Epigenetics | ||
Principles of Eukaryotic Genetics | ||
Imaging and Cytoskeletons | ||
Protein Trafficking and Organelle Identity in Eukaryotic Cells | ||
BIOL 8402 | ||
Cell and Molecular Biology of Early Development | ||
Advanced Physiology and Organ Systems | ||
Cellular Homeostasis | ||
Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics | ||
Microbiomes in Health and the Environment | ||
Microbial Diversity and Ecology | ||
Topics in Biology | ||
Independent Study in Biological Sciences | ||
Functional Neuroanatomy | ||
Biochemistry 1: Macromolecular Structure and Function | ||
Data Mining | ||
Statistical Methods | ||
Biostatistical Methods and Models | ||
Advanced Statistics and Design 1 | ||
Required research courses: | 5 | |
Laboratory Rotations in Biology | ||
Laboratory Research in Biology | ||
Seminar courses (1 cr. each) - Choose five courses from the following: | 5 | |
Seminar in Biochemistry and Genetics | ||
Seminar in Plant Molecular Biology | ||
Seminar in Neuroscience | ||
Seminar in Cell and Developmental Biology | ||
Seminar in Physiology | ||
Seminar in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | ||
Seminar in Microbiology | ||
Required dissertation credits: | 12 | |
Doctoral Dissertation | ||
Total Credit Hours: | 36-41 |
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