Biology (Marine and Environmental Biology) (PhD)

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Application deadline: January 15

In the PhD Biology with an emphasis in Marine and Environmental Biology MEB graduate program (MEBP), the curriculum is designed to increase student flexibility and specialization within the broad topic heading of marine and environmental biology, while maintaining high standards of education. The program optimizes each student’s curriculum to the needs and demands of their chosen research field. MEBP students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be considered in good standing in the program.

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

Core Courses (15 units)

BISC 580 Readings in Marine and Environmental Biology Units: 2
BISC 584 Faculty Lecture Series Units: 2
BISC 585 Proposal Writing Process and Strategies Units: 2

Four semesters of student seminar (1 unit each, 4 units total)

BISC 529 Seminar in Marine Biology Units: 1

One semester of teaching practicum (2 units)

BISC 593 Practicum in Teaching the Biological Sciences Units: 2

Statistics Requirement (3-4 units)

BISC 589 Statistical Methods for Environmental Scientists Units: 4
OR

Other course approved by the student’s adviser and the program director can also be considered.

Core Electives (2-4 units)

Choose one course from among the following list of courses. Courses can count toward one requirement only.

BISC 582 Advanced Biological Oceanography Units: 2
BISC 543 Seminar in Evolution and Adaptation in Marine Organisms Units: 2
OS 512 Introduction to Chemical and Physical Oceanography Units: 4

Advanced Seminar Requirement (2-4 units each, 10 units total)

Choose four to five advanced seminars from among the following list of courses. Courses cannot count for more than one requirement.

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 534 Advanced Seminar in Population Genetics of Marine Organisms Units: 2
BISC 536 Advanced Seminar in Marine Biogeochemistry Units: 2
BISC 538 Metals and Biology in Oceanic Regimes Units: 2
BISC 539 Race and Racism in Evolutionary Biology Units: 2
BISC 540 Advanced Seminar in Symbiosis Units: 2
BISC 541 Introduction to Scientific Journal Writing Units: 2
BISC 543 Seminar in Evolution and Adaptation in Marine Organisms Units: 2
BISC 545 Modeling and Numerical Techniques for Marine Scientists Units: 2
BISC 582 Advanced Biological Oceanography Units: 2
BISC 586 Biological Oceanographic Instrumentation Units: 2
BISC 587 Communicating All Science to Informal Audiences Units: 4
BISC 588 Introduction to Bioinformatics Units: 2

Additional Requirements

A minimum total of 60 units is required, consisting of formal courses, seminars and research credit. At least 25 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 25 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 one semester 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.