Molecular Biology (PhD)

Application deadline: December 15

During the first year, most students rotate through three laboratories before determining their permanent research adviser. Thereafter, students determine their programs of study and dissertations through discussion with their advisers, as well as their qualifying exam and dissertation committees.

Screening Procedure

Screening is done through BISC 502a  and BISC 502b . To advance beyond the second year, students must obtain at least a “B” (3.0) average in these two courses.

Course Requirements

A minimum of 24 of the 60 units required for the PhD degree must be in course work, exclusive of dissertation research. These units must include the core courses, BISC 502a  (4 units) and BISC 502b  (4 units), to be completed within the first year with no less than a “B” (3.0) average in these two courses. Students are also required to take BISC 544  Advanced Reading in Molecular Biology - a seminar and journal club course - for both semesters of the first and second years, though the journal club portion of the course is required for first year students only. In the second year, students will take BISC 444  Practical Analysis of Biological Data in R and BISC 546  Hypothesis Design and Scientific Writing. Participation in BISC 542  Seminar in Molecular Biology is required for two semesters, to be taken in the spring semester of the first and second year. BISC 593  Practicum in Teaching the Biological Sciences is also a required course and usually taken in the fall semester of the second year but must be taken before or concurrently with a first TA assignment. At some point during their degree, students must take an additional 4- units of elective coursework at the 400- or 500-level, selected in consultation with their adviser. To fulfill a requirement for training in research ethics, students must complete INTD 500  Ethics and Accountability in Biomedical Research at the Keck School of Medicine, a week-long, 1-unit course offered in the summer semester.

Language Requirement

Students in the graduate program in molecular biology are not required to pass a foreign language examination.

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 one semester as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Qualifying Examination

The examinations qualifying the student for candidacy for the PhD in molecular biology must be completed by the end of the fourth semester. The first part of the exam is a written proposal based on the student’s work. The second part is an oral examination. This exam consists of general questions and the presentation and defense of a proposition outlining the student’s proposed research program.

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

Prior to graduating, students are required to orally defend their dissertation in a public seminar.