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Biology, Ph.D.

Doctoral studies in biology at ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø emphasize intensive research training under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Once biology Ph.D. students at SLU successfully complete the required coursework and the written and oral qualifying examinations, they are expected to design and conduct an original research project and to work independently.

Students will be required to present their work at local or national professional meetings and may also be expected to seek external funding to support the research project. Ideally, a student's research will result in publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.Ìý

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Ph.D. in Biology requires a minimum of 36 post-baccalaureate credits, with at least 24 credits of coursework and 12 credits of dissertation research.

Careers

Past biology Ph.D. students at SLU have gone on to careers as research scientists, teachers, university faculty and in various capacities at pharmaceutical companies and government agencies.

ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø Requirements

Suggested courses include biology (a minimum of eighteen [18] upper-division credits); chemistry (a minimum of eight [8] upper-division credits including two semesters of organic chemistry or one semester of organic chemistry and the other of biochemistry); physics (two semesters); mathematics (through a course in calculus). A formal minor is not permitted.

For students interested in ecology, evolution or systematics, additional coursework in some of the following areas is also recommended: genetics, general ecology, evolution, introductory statistics, general botany, and a taxonomically oriented course. For students interested in cell or molecular biology, additional coursework in some of the following areas is recommended: genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, molecular biology, microbiology or immunology.

Previous laboratory and research experience preferred.

Application Requirements

  • Application form and fee
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcript(s)
  • ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
  • Goal statement
  • Interview (desired)

Requirements for International StudentsÌý

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.
  • WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
  • In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Assistantship Application Deadline

Students who want to be considered for an assistantship should submit their application by Dec. 15. Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered if assistantships are available.

Review Process

Faculty committee members examine each applicant's materials and make recommendations. Consideration is given to matching applicant interests with faculty research areas.

Applicants should outline their research goals in their professional goals statement. Additionally, they should identify and correspond with faculty members whose area of research matches their interests early in the application process.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.Ìý

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

  1. Graduates will be able to critically analyze primary literature articles by evaluating the scientific contributions of peer-reviewed publications in biology.
  2. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas.
  3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate professional integrity.
  4. Graduates will be able to use appropriate instrumentation and analytical methods to collect data.
  5. Graduates will be able to draw statistically valid conclusions from quantitative data.
  6. Graduates will be able to design novel research that advances knowledge of their field.
  7. Graduates will be able to conduct self-directed research.

The program for the Doctor of Philosophy in Biology degree requires a minimum of 36 credits, when pursued from the baccalaureate, including 24 credits of structured coursework and 12 credits of dissertation research. Courses may be chosen from upper-level electives within the Department of Biology or related departments; coursework may be tailored to the research interests in consultation with the advisory committees of students.

The following requirements govern which courses may be counted toward a degree:

  • At leastÌý20Ìýcredits of structured courses (these do not includeÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6970 Research TopicsÌý²¹²Ô»å/´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6980 Graduate Reading Course.
  • At leastÌý18 credits (exclusive of dissertation) must be 5000- and 6000- level courses.
  • At leastÌý12Ìýcredits (exclusive of dissertation) of the total program must be from the Department of Biology.
  • No more than 6 credits ofÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6970 Research TopicsÌý²¹²Ô»å/´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6980 Graduate Reading Course.
  • 12 credits exactly ofÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research.
  • Students must be enrolled in a course (even if it is for zero credits) every fall and spring semester to maintain standing in the program; students on 11-month assistantships must also enroll during the summer.
Required Courses
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800Research Colloquium (taken twice for 1 credit hour each time)1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5860Scientific Communication1
Dissertation Research12
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990
Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters)
Seminars
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810Departmental Seminar (must be taken each semester enrolled)1
Take two semesters of the following:
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation (two semesters total; may be taken for 1-2 credits)1-2
´Ç°ùÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
Elective Courses16-18
Total Credits36

Elective Courses

Electives can be selected from any 4000-level or higher courses in Biology or related areas (subject to limits on 4000-level, 5970, and 5980 credit hours). Among the courses that can be taken as electives are:

µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4090Plant Ecology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4100Natural History of Vertebrates4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4120Field Botany5
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4130Field Mammalogy5
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4140Field Ornithology5
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4160Microbial Ecology and Molecular Evolution4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4200Aquatic Ecology4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4260Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4280Biology of Fishes4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4320Cave Biology4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4330Spring Flora of the Ozarks4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4360Animal Behavior3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4370Animal Behavior Lab1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4410Comparative Animal Physiology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4440Vertebrate Histology: Structure and Function of Tissues4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4480Conservation Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4510Behavioral Endocrinology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4540Human Systemic Physiology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4640General Microbiology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4650General Microbiology Laboratory2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4720Cancer Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4910Internship in Conservation1-6
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý4912Internship in Plant Science1-3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5000Problems in Vertebrate Morphology2-5
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5030Genomics3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5050Molecular Techniques Lab2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5070Advanced Biological Chemistry3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5080Advanced Cell Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5090Biometry4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5190Geographic Information Systems in Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5350Current Topics in Cell Biology2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5400Problems in Genetics1-4
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5480Conservation Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5550Advanced Ecology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5560Advanced Evolution3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5610Principles of Develop Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5630Concepts of Immunobiology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5640Advanced Microbiology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5670Advanced Population Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5700Advanced Molecular Biology3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5780Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation1-2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6150Neural Basis of Behavior3

Non-Course Requirements

New Ph.D. degree students who enter the program with a B.S. or B.A. degree may take the written preliminary exam the first or second spring semester they are in the program. New Ph.D. students who enter the program with a master’s degree are required to take the written preliminary exam the first spring semester they are at SLU.

All doctoral students must pass written and oral exams to advance to candidacy; these are typically attempted at the end of the second and third semesters, respectively. All doctoral students must also complete one year of teaching. This can be accomplished by serving as a graduate teaching assistant, by completing two semesters of a practicum in a teaching course, or by other teaching experience approved by the student's committee and the department chair.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

General ScheduleÌý

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
4000/5000 level electives 1 5-6
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800 Research Colloquium 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits6-7
Spring
Completion of Written Exams in May Ìý
4000/5000 level electives 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820
or µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840
Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation
or Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
1-2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5860 Scientific Communication 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits5-6
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6970 Advanced Research Topics in Biology 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Two
Fall
Completion of Oral Exams Ìý
4000/5000 level electives 4-3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800 Research Colloquium 1
ÌýCredits5-4
Spring
4000/5000 level electives 3-2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820
or µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840
Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation
or Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics
2-1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits6-4
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Three
Fall
4000/5000 level electives 2-3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits3-4
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Four
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Five
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
ÌýTotal Credits36
1

A maximum of six hours of 4000-level courses can count toward the Ph.D.Ìý

Sample Schedule Cell/Molecular Biology Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5050 Molecular Techniques Lab 2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5700 Advanced Molecular Biology 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800 Research Colloquium 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits6
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5070 Advanced Biological Chemistry 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation 2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5860 Scientific Communication 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits6
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6970 Advanced Research Topics in Biology 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Two
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5030 Genomics 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5640 Advanced Microbiology 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800 Research Colloquium 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits7
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5630 Concepts of Immunobiology 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5820 Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits5
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Three
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 2
ÌýCredits2
Year Four
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Five
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
ÌýTotal Credits36
1

After the second year, students should register for dissertation research (µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research (0-6 cr)), 1-3 credits/semester, until 12 credits are reached. After 12 credits have been reached, students should register for 0 hrs of µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research (0-6 cr) each semester until they graduate.

Sample Schedule Ecology/Evolutionary Biology Focus

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5550 Advanced Ecology 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5030 Genomics 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800 Research Colloquium 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits7
Spring
BIOLÌý5110 Advanced Sex, Evolution and Behavior 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5860 Scientific Communication 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits6
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Two
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5480 Conservation Biology 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5560 Advanced Evolution 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5800 Research Colloquium 1
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
ÌýCredits7
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5840 Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 2
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý5670 Advanced Population Biology 3
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
BIOLÌý5810 Department Seminar 0
ÌýCredits6
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Three
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Four
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Summer
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Year Five
Fall
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1 1
ÌýCredits1
Spring
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6810 Departmental Seminar 0
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research 1
ÌýCredits1
ÌýTotal Credits36
1

After the second year, students should register for dissertation research (µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990 Dissertation Research), 1-3 credits/semester, until 12 credits are reached. After 12 credits have been reached, students should register for 0 credits of Dissertation Research (µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý6990) each semester until they graduate.

For additional information about our program, please contact:

Robert Wood, Ph.D.
314-977-3718
robert.wood@slu.edu