Ph.D in Biology, concentration in Cell biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology
PhD Program Requirements
- 90 credits (including BSC7910, BSC7980, BSC7936 and other credits approved by CMMB)
- Three lab rotations in first semester where appropriate (3 hrs of BSC 7910 Directed Research credit)
- BSC 6932 (2 hrs) Advances in Scientific Review during Fall Semester of first year
- PCB 6920 (1hr) Advances in Cellular & Molecular Biology during Fall Semester of first year
- BSC 6932 (2 hrs) Advances in Scientific Writing I during Spring Semester of first year*
- BSC 6932 (1 hrs) Advances in Scientific Writing II during Fall Semester of second year
- Minimum of three additional structured courses approved by CMMB (more depending on committee’s assessment, 3 hrs each)
- BSC 6930 (1 hr) Lectures in Contemporary Biology at least 4 times
- Preliminary Doctoral Examinations – successful completion
- Written portion (in the format of a grant proposal)
- Oral portion
- Submission and approval of Thesis Proposal
- Seminar Presentation of Research in BSC6930 upon advancement to candidacy (at least once)
- Submission of Doctoral Proposal
- 24 Credits Dissertation Research (BSC 7980)
- Presentation Requirement (2 presentations at national/regional professional meetings)
- Publication Requirement (one research paper submitted for publication to refereed scientific journal by date of the Doctoral Seminar/Defense)
- Submission of acceptable dissertation
- Presentation of the doctoral seminar (BSC7936) and successful defense
* For Fall admissions. Students admitted in Spring will take this course in the Spring of their 2nd year.
Graduate Studies, Welcome! TIME LINES
PhD Program
Projected tracking through program in 5 years*
*based on successful completion of written and oral qualifying exams in the time specified, good academic standing and continuation of research during summer sessions
Semester 1 (fall)
• BSC7910 Directed Research or Laboratory Rotations if required
• BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Review
• PCB6920 Advances in Cellular & Molecular Biology
• 1st Structured Course
• Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
• Establish PhD Laboratory and Major Advisor
Semester 2 (spring)
• BSC7910 Directed Research
• BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Writing I (develop aims of written exam)
• BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
• 2nd Structured Course
• Form Thesis Committee (file paperwork)
Summer 1
• BSC7910 Directed Research
• Circulate Aims to Committee for Approval
• Begin Work on Written Qualifying Exam
Semester 3 (fall)
• BSC7910 Directed Research
• BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (2)
• BSC6932 Advances in Scientific Writing II (submission of written exam)
• 3rd Structured Course
• Submit Written Qualifier by October 15th
• Hold Annual Committee Meeting
• Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
Semester 4 (spring)
• BSC7910 Directed Research
• BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (3)
• Complete Oral Qualifier by April 1st (Advance to Candidacy, file paperwork)
Summer 2
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
• Work On and Complete Thesis Proposal (gain approval of committee)
Semester 5 (fall)
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
• BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (4)
• Give Research Seminar in BSC6930
• Hold Annual Committee Meeting
• Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
Semester 6
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation CMMB Graduate Student Handbook ver 1.2; 06/09 P a g e | 29
Summer 3 • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
Semester 7
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
• Annual Progress Report by December 15th
• Hold Annual Committee Meeting
Semester 8
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
Summer 4 • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
Semester 9
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
• Annual Progress Report by December 15th
• Hold Annual Committee Meeting
Semester 10
• BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
• BSC7936 PhD Seminar
• Defend thesis and graduate