Biology Ph.D.

Candidates for the Ph.D. must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) including passing the first year Core Course, which serves as a qualifying exam with a grade of B or better, and passing a candidacy exam. The latter consists of a written and an oral portion, and must be taken by the end of the second year of full-time study. Degree candidates also must submit a dissertation based on an original research project, present their findings in a public seminar, and defend their work in an oral examination. Additionally, all doctoral candidates are required to participate in teaching for at least one semester under the supervision of a faculty member. Seventy-two credit hours are required for the Ph.D.

Outcomes of the Graduate Curriculum
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

• demonstrate basic knowledge in a variety of sub-disciplines within the broader field of biology.
• demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a specialized field of biology and be able to address challenging questions in that field.
• analyze and interpret the scientific literature and scientific presentations.
• demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and interpret experiments, and use appropriate research techniques.
• express their scientific research and findings in a variety of written and oral formats.
• demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• discuss issues related to scientific ethics and scientific misconduct.