Degree Pathway for Ph.D. in Applied Biology
For students entering Fall 2026 and beyond.
To complete the Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Biology, students must take 13 courses: Core Competency Courses, Required Core Courses and Elective Courses in their specialization.
Students will also complete 23 - 28 credits of Ph.D. Dissertation Applied Biology.
Total credit hours required for degree = 60.
Each student’s competency in foundational areas of biology (e.g., Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics, Developmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology) will be evaluated upon entry into the program. Courses will be assigned based on identified deficiencies.
Elective Course Choices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| BIOL.XXXX | Core Competency Course* | 3 |
| BIOL.XXXX | Core Competency Course* | 3 |
| BIOL.XXXX | Special Problems in Biology or Advanced Elective** | 3-4 |
| BIOL.XXXX | Advanced Elective** | 3-4 |
| BIOL.XXXX | Advanced Elective** | 3-4 |
| BIOL.XXXX | Advanced Elective** | 3-4 |
| BIOL.XXXX | Advanced Elective** | 3-4 |
| Total | 21-26 | |
| Optional Internship Course | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Total | 1 | |
| BIOL.7070 | Internship Biology | 1 |
| Core Program Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| BIOL.6060 | Applied Biology I | 1 |
| BIOL.6070 | Applied Biology II | 1 |
| BIOL.6030 | Graduate Colloquium Biology | 2 (1 credit taken twice) |
| BIOL.6050 | Graduate Proposal Writing Seminar | 1 |
| BIOL.7210 | Special Problems in Biology | 3 |
| Total | 8 | |
| Dissertation Research | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
| Total | 23 minimum | |
| BIOL.7530 | Dissertation Research | 23 minimum |
**Advanced Elective Courses
For advanced elective offerings, please see our list of courses.
Total minimum courses required for the degree =13
Minimum Course credits required = 27
Minimum number of research credits required = 23
Total credit hours required for degree = 60.
Requirements and Timeline:
YEAR 1
*Core Competency Courses (2 courses from any listed in Advanced electives should be chosen in consultation with your PhD mentor)
Research Lab Rotations: At least one semester of laboratory rotations with two different research faculty for course credit in BIOL.7210 Special Problems in Biology.
Optional: BIOL.7070 Internship Biology
(after completing 18-credits, and in good academic standing).
YEAR 2
Individual Dissertation Research Project (IDRP) plan with a Dissertation Advisory Committee.
Complete all course work.
Comprehensive Qualifying Examination (during late spring of second year).
YEAR 3
Research
BIOL.7530 PhD Dissertation Biological Sciences (Formerly 81.753)
Prepare Written and Oral Dissertation Proposal.
YEAR 4-5
Complete research.
Prepare an Action Item Report.
Give an interim report in the form of a seminar in the Department of Biological Sciences Colloquium series.
Complete a significant body of publishable research.
Prepare written dissertation.
Present a public oral defense to the Dissertation Advisory Committee.
Updated 3/26/26