The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to prepare students for careers in independent research and teaching in a university, clinical, or biotechnology environment. Doctoral degree students are expected to develop creativity and independence in addition to technical skills.
For the Ph.D. degree, students must complete a minimum of 61 units—as detailed in the table below—and must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0. Students must adhere to all University and program policies as published in the Student Handbook, University CATALOG, or Student Guide. Policies and requirements are subject to change.
| Basic science core | ||
| IBGS 501 | Biomedical Communication and Integrity | 2 |
| IBGS 502 | Biomedical Information and Statistics | 2 |
| IBGS 503 | Biomedical Grant Writing | 2 |
| IBGS 511 | Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems I | 6 |
| IBGS 512 | Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems II | 6 |
| IBGS 522 | Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems II Journal Club | 2 |
| IBGS 523 | Cellular Mechanisms and Integrated Systems III Journal Club | 2 |
| Seminars (all required) | ||
| IBGS 604 | Introduction to Integrative Biology Presentation Seminar | 1 |
| IBGS 605 | Integrative Biology Presentation Seminar (1) | 2 |
| IBGS 607 | Integrated Biomedical Graduate Studies Seminar 1 | 0 |
| Religion | ||
| RELE 525 | Ethics for Scientists 2 | 3 |
| RELR 588 | Personal and Family Wholeness 2 | 3 |
| RELT 617 | Seminar in Religion and the Sciences 2 | 3 |
| Program specific courses | 6 | |
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Emphasis: Developmental/regenerative biology
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| Stem Cell Biology and Medicine | ||
| Human Embryology Lecture | ||
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Emphasis: Cancer biology
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| Advanced Topics in Biochemistry | ||
| Seminar in Stem Cells and Cancer | ||
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or BCHM 610
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Cancer Journal Club | |
| Biology of Cancer | ||
| Electives: | 6-12 | |
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Choose from the following and other courses as approved by advisor:
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| Clinical Exposure in Oncology | ||
| Biochemical Basis of Human Disease SM | ||
| Translational Research Training | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Basis of Medical Genetics | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics and Genomics | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Fundamentals of Electrophysiology | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Physiology of Reproduction | ||
| Research and dissertation | ||
| BCHM 697 | Research (1-10) | 12 |
| IBGS 696 | Research Rotations (1) | 2 |
| IBGS 699 | Dissertation (1-5) | 1-5 |
| Total Units | 61 | |
| 1 |
Registration and attendance required every quarter in residence, but units do not count toward total required for graduation. |
| 2 |
May substitute with another graduate religion course with the same prefix and numbered 500 or above. |
Noncourse requirements
- pass written and oral comprehensive examinations in order to advance to candidacy.
- successfully defend the dissertation before their guidance committee prior to being awarded the Ph.D. degree.
Normal time to complete the program
Four (4) years — full-time enrollment, part-time permitted
Comparison
See the comparison of the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs.