Biology Department Graduate Emphasis
in
CELL AND ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
Degree Requirements
The cell and organismal curriculum is appropriate for graduate students who wish to emphasize those areas of biology that integrate function and structure in cells, tissues, and organisms. This curriculum includes courses in cell and molecular biology, physiology, neurobiology, and developmental biology. Our goal is to prepare students for careers in this field through research experiences and formal coursework, as well as through seminars and discussion groups.  We also provide a framework for practical career preparation through seminars and other activities that focus on professional written and spoken presentations, employment approaches, ethics in science, proposal preparation, interview guidance, and teaching methodologies . Participating faculty receive funding from NIH, NSF, and NASA.
Ph.D. in Biology
M.S. in Biology, Thesis option
M.S. in Biology, non-Thesis option
Graduate degree forms
Ph.D. in Biology: Cell and Organismal Biology Emphasis:

Students in the Ph.D. program are encouraged to complete their degree in four years, although exceptional circumstances may require a longer degree program.

Students should meet with their PhD committee on a yearly basis to provide progress reports and for guidance on meeting requirements for completion of the degree program.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

REQUIRED ELECTIVE COURSES (FOUR FROM THE FOLLOWING) ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES TO MEET UNIVERSITY PHD CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

It is expected that students will have one year of teaching experience. This requirement may be satisfied by serving as a TA for a course or laboratory or by preparing and delivering a series of lectures in the research specialty under the supervision of a faculty mentor. The committee will offer guidance in tailoring this requirement for individual students. All GA's should attend the Graduate School orientation for new graduate students.

Foreign students TA's will need to enroll in the International Teaching Assistant Workshop offered in late summer for incoming students and in spring for resident students.

OTHER

                   ESTAT 505 and ESTAT 506 PhD QUALIFIER PhD COMPREHENSIVE PhD THESIS DEFENSE: SUGGESTED TIME TABLE:

  Year 1   Complete core courses in cell biology, biochemistry and physiology
               Select qualifier exam committee (first semester)
               Identify thesis projects
               Complete Qualifier Exam (as early as possible, 1st semester for students entering with MS)

  Year 2   Complete remaining course work, preliminary work for thesis underway

  Year 3   Intensify research activity
               Comprehensive exam (6th semster)

  Year 4   Complete research, submit manuscripts for publication, prepare dissertation
               Oral defense


M.S. Thesis or non-Thesis degree in Biology: Cell and Organismal Biology Emphasis

Students in the MS program are expected to complete their degree in two years, although exceptional circumstances may require a longer degree program. Students should meet with their MS committee on a yearly basis to provide progress reports and for guidance on meeting requirements for completion of the degree program.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

REQUIRED ELECTIVE COURSES
THESIS OPTION: THREE COURSES (9 credits min)
NON-THESIS OPTION : SIX COURSES (18 credits min)
ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES TO MEET UNIVERSITY MS REQUIREMENTS

OTHER

MS THESIS DEFENSE MS NON-THESIS EXAM SUGGESTED TIME TABLE:

  Year 1  Complete basic course work, core program in cell biology, biochemistry and physiology
              Select thesis committee (end of 1st semester)
              Preliminary work for thesis underway (2nd semester)

  Year 2  Complete course work and research, submit manuscripts for publication, prepare dissertation
              Oral defense (2nd semester)

UPDATED AUGUST 18, 2000 BY EES