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 | |
Emphasis: Developmental/regenerative biology
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Stem Cell Biology and Medicine | ||
Human Embryology Lecture | ||
Emphasis: Cancer biology
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Advanced Topics in Biochemistry | ||
Seminar in Stem Cells and Cancer | ||
or BCHM 610
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Cancer Journal Club | |
Biology of Cancer | ||
Electives: | 6-12 | |
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 | ||
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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.