We offer a comprehensive and rigorous education in a wide range of disciplines, including genetics, microbiology, ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, zoology, botany, environmental science, and neuroscience. Our doctoral program is designed to provide exceptional research opportunities, allowing students to delve into the fascinating world of biological research and make significant contributions to the field. Whether you aspire to pursue a career in academia, industry, or biomedical sciences, our Biology doctoral degree equips you with the knowledge, skills, and research expertise to succeed and excel.
Learning Outcomes
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Broad Disciplinary Knowledge: Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in key biological disciplines, including genetics, microbiology, ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, zoology, botany, environmental science, and neuroscience.
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Research Proficiency: Conduct high-quality, original research, making significant contributions to the field of biology through rigorous experimentation and data analysis.
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Specialized Expertise: Develop specialized expertise in a chosen area of biology, enabling a deep understanding and the ability to innovate within that field.
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Interdisciplinary Integration: Integrate knowledge from various biological disciplines to address complex biological questions and challenges.
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Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Apply advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills to design and execute research projects, analyze results, and draw meaningful conclusions.
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Technical Proficiency: Acquire and demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of modern laboratory equipment and methodologies essential for advanced biological research.
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Scientific Communication: Effectively communicate complex biological concepts and research findings to diverse audiences through written, oral, and visual presentations.
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Ethical Research Conduct: Understand and adhere to ethical principles in biological research, ensuring integrity, reproducibility, and ethical treatment of research subjects.
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Professional Development: Engage in professional development activities that enhance skills in scientific communication, grant writing, teaching, and career planning.
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Career Preparedness: Demonstrate readiness for successful careers in academia, industry, or biomedical sciences, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and research expertise necessary to excel.
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Collaboration and Teamwork: Work effectively in collaborative research settings, contributing to multidisciplinary teams and fostering a productive research environment.
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Lifelong Learning: Foster a commitment to lifelong learning, staying current with advancements in biological sciences and continuously seeking opportunities for professional growth and development.
Ph.D. Requirements
Program Overview
Our curriculum revolves around building a strong foundation in cell and molecular biology, empowering you to explore research areas like physiology, genetics, microbiology, neurobiology, ecology, and evolution. From day one, you'll immerse yourself in coursework and hands-on laboratory rotations to discover your research passions. In your second year, you'll choose a Ph.D. mentor who will guide you through your dissertation research.
Once you conquer qualifying exams, you'll dive into full-time research while enjoying the flexibility to select from a diverse range of elective courses. We believe in nurturing your scientific presentation and teaching skills, which is why we emphasize teaching experience for all Ph.D. candidates. With an estimated completion time of five years, you'll receive support through research or teaching assistantships, including full tuition scholarships.
Required Courses for the PhD
REQUIRED | Credits |
BIOL 574 Ethics in Biotechnology/ Biology BIOL 645 Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology I BIOL 647 Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology II BIOL 695 Intro to Graduate Research I BIOL 696 Intro to Graduate Research II BIOL 646 Advanced Topics (Three OR Six) BIOL 680 Graduate Research in Biology BIOL 690 Seminar |
1 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 1 cr. 16 cr. 2 cr. max |
ELECTIVES | Credits |
BIOL 505 Microbial Genetics BIOL 513 Developmental Biology BIOL 515 Mammalian Physiology BIOL 516 Comparative and Environmental Physiology BIOL 522 Animal Behavior BIOL 524 Immunology BIOL 526 Pathogenic Microbiology BIOL 527 Microbial Ecology BIOL 529 Microbial Physiology BIOL 532 Applied & Environmental Microbiology BIOL 536 Environmental Ecology BIOL 540 Evolution BIOL 544 Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Genomics BIOL 555 Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology BIOL 557 Reproductive Physiology BIOL 560 Endocrinology BIOL 566 Terrestrial Field Biology BIOL 568 Human Genetics BIOL 569 Signal Transduction BIOL 570 Lab I: Experimental Biology BIOL 571 Lab II: Cell & Molecular Biology BIOL 572 Lab III: Cell & Systems Physiology BIOL 575 Neurobiology BIOL 592 Stream Field Biology BIOL 651 Special Topics BIOL 667 Advanced Molecular Biology CHEM 501 Biochemistry I |
3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 2 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 1-3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. |
Financial Support Information
Biology Ph.D. students are supported with financial assistance, ensuring a seamless academic journey. As part of our commitment to your success, we provide a full tuition waiver along with either teaching assistantships or research assistantships. Our teaching assistants play a vital role in the undergraduate laboratory sections, where they excel at delivering oral instructions, overseeing laboratory activities, creating test materials, and administering and evaluating examinations. To further alleviate financial burdens, students receive a competitive annual stipend of $27,500, enabling them to focus on their studies and research. We prioritize your academic progress, and students in good standing are typically supported for five years, with opportunities to apply for 1-2 years of additional support.