Degree Programs

Degree Program Requirements Overview Time to Completion
Ph.D. in Biology
  • Preparatory courses as defined by your initial advisory committee (typically 1 to 3 courses, sometimes more)
  • Up to 3 graduate tutorials with different faculty in the Department of Biology
  • Establish a minor
  • Serve as a teaching assistant for 2 semesters
  • Preliminary Exam (research proposal and oral defense)
  • Dissertation and seminar
  • Final Defense
  • 5 to 6 years
M.S. or A.M. in Biology
  • We do not admit students to a Masters program. Students that wish to leave the Ph.D. program with a Masters degree will be allowed to do so.
  • varies

Affiliated Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs

Department of Biology faculty members directly support the following programs. In most cases, you will pursue a Ph.D. in biology while concurrently earning a certificate.

Degree Program Requirements Time to Completion
Cell & Molecular Biology Certificate
  • varies depending on student background
Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Ph.D. or Certificate
  • varies depending on student background
Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Certificate
  • varies depending on program
Ecology Ph.D. or Certificate
  • varies depending on student background
Genetics & Genomics Ph.D.
  • varies depending on program
Medical Scientist Training Program M.D./Ph.D.
  • 5 to 6 years
History & Philosophy of Science, Technology & Medicine Certificate
  • varies depending on student background
Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Certificate
  • See: IT
  • varies depending on student background
Nanoscience Certificate
  • varies depending on student background
Philosophy of Biology Certificate
  • varies depending on student background