2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Our Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences is designed to prioritize your growth and success as a researcher. We offer a diverse range of specializations, fostering novel research that significantly contributes to your chosen field. Your achievements will be recognized through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at prestigious national or international conferences, and the successful defense of your dissertation.
With personalized mentorship from our dedicated faculty and a supportive environment, we ensure that you receive individual attention for your research. You’ll also benefit from a close-knit community of around 30 graduate students, providing ample opportunities to build connections, form collaborations, and develop professionally and personally.
Our program has a proven track record of graduates securing post-doctoral positions at prestigious institutions and faculty roles at colleges and universities. We're excited to support your journey and the contributions you’ll make to the scientific community.
Learning Outcomes
- Scientific knowledge and application: Students will design, execute, and evaluate the data derived from experiments that probe a significant scientific question.
- Communication: Students will communicate scientific concepts and experiments with clarity, coherence, and correctness.
- Demonstration of skill and products: Students will demonstrate skills and products (publications, awards, grants) that allow for career progression to dost-doctoral, teaching, or industrial positions.
Minimum Credit Requirements for the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits (Path 1) | Credits (Path 2) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 645 | Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology I | 3 | 3 | 1st |
| BIOL 647 | Advanced Cell & Molecular Biology II | 3 | 3 | 1st |
| BIOL 695 | Intro to Graduate Research I | 3 | 3 | 1st |
| BIOL 696 | Intro to Graduate Research II | 3 | 3 | 1st |
| BIOL 690 | Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1st |
| BIOL 690 | Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1st |
| BIOL 646 | Advanced Topics (6 credits required) | 6 | — | — |
| BIOL 646 | Advanced Topics | — | 4 | — |
| BIOL Elective | Any BIOL 500+ Level Course* | — | 3 | — |
| BIOL 674 | Ethics | 1 | 1 | 2nd |
| BIOL 692 | Graduate Networking | 6 | 6 | 2nd–5th |
| BIOL 680 | Biological Research | 3 | 2 | — |
| — | Total Credits Required: | 30 (Path 1) | 30 (Path 2) | — |
Notes:
-
*Path 2 students may substitute 2 Advanced Topics credits with a 500+ level BIOL elective.
-
BIOL 680 is treated as a semester course. After each semester, the Graduate Review will determine a Pass/Non-pass grade from the advisor. This course will no longer be graded as "In Progress" until the dissertation is completed.
Degree Completion Requirements:
-
MS Degree: 30 credits plus signatures from the Director of Graduate Studies and Department Chair.
-
Ph.D. Degree: 30 credits plus a written dissertation approved by the Advisor, all Committee Members, the Department Chair, and the Dean of SoSE.
Graduate Assistantship Status Courses:
| Course Number | Title | Billable Credits | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNES 709 | Assistantship – Full Time | 0 | For students with full TA/RA or Bayer Fellowship (provides full-time status) |
| GNES 708 | Assistantship – Half Time | 0 | For students with partial assistantships (combine with courses for full-time status) |