5: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

General Information | Programs and Degrees Offered | Admission Information
Financial Assistance | Graduate Academic Regulations
Requirements for Specific Graduate Degrees | Departments and Programs | Faculty

Department of Cell Biology
Course Descriptions | Departmental Degree Requirements

Departmental Degree Requirements

Admission  Admission into the graduate program is based on a combination of criteria including undergraduate and graduate transcripts, Graduate Record Examination scores, letters of recommendation and previous research experience. The candidate should hold a B.S., B.A., M.S. or M.A. degree in biology, biochemsitry, chemistry, or one of the related sciences with a background in biology. Organic chemistry and mathematics through college algebra or trigonometry are required. Calculus and biochemistry are strongly recommended. Students are not accepted for study toward the master's degree. A master's degree is not required before admission to the Ph.D. program.

Degree Requirements  The prime requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Cell Biology is the ability to carry out relatively independent research. The dissertation must represent an original and significant contribution to science of merit sufficient to achieve publication in a professional journal. During the preparation for the Ph.D. degree an approved program of advanced courses is required. This program, however, may vary considerably from one student to another, avoiding unnecessary duplication and taking into account the particular research interest of the student and his or her previous training. Upon approval of the written dissertation by the student's Dissertation Advisory Committee, the student will be given a final oral exam in the presence of the thesis committee and other interested members of the departmental and University faculty. Successful completion of the dissertation defense, in addition to completion of course requirements, leads to the awarding of the Ph.D. degree.

There are no foreign language requirements of teaching requirements for the Ph.D.

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