Biology Doctoral Degree Requirements

Program | Faculty | Master's | Doctoral | Courses

For Students Entering with a Bachelor's Degree as their Highest Degree, the Following Requirements Must Be Met:

Requirements Common to Both the M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees

1. All students entering the graduate program are expected to form a guidance committee during their first semester. This committee will help to plan the student's coursework and other requirements.

2. Teaching is regarded as an important part of graduate training, and all students are required to teach half-time for a minimum of two semesters, unless equivalent experience has been obtained previously.

3. A foreign language may be required. The requirement is at the option of the student's guidance committee, which determines the level and form in which any requirement may be met.

Requirements for the Ph.D.

1. All requirements under Requirements Common to M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees, above.

2. The passing of an Oral Preliminary Examination demonstrating advanced knowledge of one major field selected from the following: Animal Behavior, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Parasitology, Physiology, Systematics and Evolution. Additional areas for examination, which may or may not be drawn from the preceding list, may be specified by the Examining Committee.

3. The preparation of a thesis with original research.

4. The passing of a final thesis examination.

For Students Entering with a Master's Degree, the Following Requirements Must Be Met:

Requirements for the Ph.D.

1. All requirements common to M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees (above).

2. Acceptance by a faculty member willing to act as a supervisor.

3. The passing of an oral preliminary examination (see Ph.D. requirements above).

4. The preparation of a thesis containing original research.

5. The passing of a final thesis examination.

A more detailed account of the requirements for the advanced degrees, and a timetable (regarded as a standard for "reasonable and satisfactory progress") are given in a departmental booklet. This, together with the above and the Graduate School rules, delineates the requirements for the degrees.