Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography (PhD)

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Application deadline: January 15

Course Requirements

In marine biology and biological oceanography, each student receives a general background in marine sciences and obtains in-depth specialization in a research area of his or her choosing. Each student’s curriculum is fitted to the particular needs and demands of the chosen research field. The 24 units of formal course work must include the following: BISC 529 (4), BISC 582 (4), BISC 583 (4), BISC 584 (2), BISC 585 (2); four advanced graduate seminars (8); and a statistics course approved by the student’s adviser.

For Admission Requirements, refer to the admissions section of Biological Sciences .

Core Courses (14 units)

BISC 582 Advanced Biological Oceanography Units: 2
BISC 583 Evolution and Adaptation of Marine Organisms Units: 4
BISC 584 Faculty Lecture Series Units: 2
BISC 585 Proposal Writing Process and Strategies Units: 2

Two semesters of student seminar (2 units)

BISC 529 Seminar in Marine Biology Units: 1

Core Seminar Electives (8 units)

Completion of four advanced seminars from among the following:

BISC 530 Advanced Seminar in Plankton Biology Units: 2
BISC 531 Advanced Seminar on the Physiology of Marine Organisms Units: 2
BISC 532 Advanced Seminar in Molecular and Microbial Ecology Units: 2
BISC 533 Advanced Seminar in Remote Sensing and Modeling Units: 2
BISC 534 Advanced Seminar in Population Genetics of Marine Organisms Units: 2
BISC 535 Seminar in Physiology Units: 2
BISC 536 Advanced Seminar in Marine Biogeochemistry Units: 2
BISC 538 Metals and Biology in Oceanic Regimes Units: 2
BISC 586 Biological Oceanographic Instrumentation Units: 2
BISC 587 Communicating All Science to Informal Audiences Units: 4

Additional Requirements

A minimum total of 60 units is required, consisting of formal courses, seminars and research credit. At least 24 of the minimum 60 total units required are to be formal graduate course work (lecture and seminar courses).

Screening Examination

Candidates must also pass a screening examination to determine competence and point out deficiencies, fulfill a research tool requirement (computer skills, biostatistics, quantitative chemistry), and meet the residency and other requirements of the Graduate School. This exam is completed before completion of 24 units in the program.

Student Teaching

Since most graduates in biological sciences will spend some part of their careers in academic work, teaching experience is considered an important part of graduate training. Each graduate student in the program is therefore required to serve at least two semesters as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences. Students must enroll in BISC 593 either before or concurrent with their first semester as a Teaching Assistant.

Qualifying Examination

Before the end of the fourth semester, each student must pass a written and oral qualifying examination given by the student’s qualifying exam committee. The written part involves answering a number of questions at length. The oral part is in the area of the student’s intended research, based on a project selected and developed by the student into a written proposition. After passing the qualifying examination, the student completes the research investigation and any other requirements under the guidance of the research adviser who also chairs the dissertation committee.

Doctoral Dissertation

The dissertation is based on original, publishable and significant research conducted independently by the student under the guidance of the dissertation committee.

Defense of the Dissertation

The dissertation defense includes a formal public seminar, followed by a detailed defense meeting with the full Dissertation Committee.