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Oct 05, 2024
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Biology (PHD)
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 Return to: Biology
The Ph.D. program in Biology provides advanced training in numerous biological subdisciplines including ecology, evolution, physiology, genetics, genomics, molecular biology, developmental biology, and cell biology. The program trains students to be independent, rigorous, and creative life scientists in preparation for careers in research, teaching, industry, and government.
The Ph.D. in Biology requires a minimum of 90 credit hours, including at least 24 credit hours of graded coursework and at least 30 hours of BIOL 998 (Ph.D. Research in Biology). Students work closely with faculty mentors to develop major laboratory and/or field-based research projects. Most students will publish multiple peer-reviewed research papers that form the basis for their doctoral dissertation.
Optional Rotations
Applicants can be recruited directly into a specific faculty member’s research program but also have the option of doing laboratory rotations. Rotating students do short projects in 2-3 different labs during their first semester to explore different research opportunities and find the best fit for their interests. Applicants with interests in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Conservation Biology, and similar fields typically apply to work with a specific faculty mentor but will occasionally do rotations. Rotations are common but not mandatory for students with interests in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology and related fields.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree. An average of B or higher in the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework (3.0/4.0 on a 4-point scale or equivalent) is required for regular admission, but applicants with lower GPAs can potentially be admitted on probationary status. Preference is given to applicants with undergraduate degrees in biology or other life sciences. Applicants with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines should have extensive life science coursework or other evidence of biology fundamentals. Prior research experience is essential. A key issue in admissions decisions is a good match with the research interests of one or more Biology faculty members who could serve as the applicant’s Major Professor. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact potential mentors to discuss opportunities in their research programs.
Applications must include transcripts, contact details for three professional references, and a personal statement of goals and experiences. The personal statement should discuss career goals and past research experience, and it should explain how the applicant’s research interests are aligned with the research programs of one or more Biology faculty members. GRE scores are not required but can be provided if available. International applicants must meet the KSU graduate school requirements for English proficiency, but TOEFL IBT scores ≥100 (with 22 or higher on the SPEAK test) or IELTS ≥7.0 are preferred.
Contact Info
Graduate Program Contact: biology@ksu.edu
Graduate Program Director: Dr. Michael Veeman (veeman@ksu.edu)
Course Requirements
90 credit hours, including at least 24 hours of graded coursework and at least 30 hours of research credit. Depending on the student’s previous coursework, the supervisory committee may require up to 30 hours of graded courses. At least 15 hours of the graded coursework must be at the 800 level or higher. All students must take BIOL 863 (Professional Skills and Ethics) in the first year. Other courses are selected in consultation with the student’s Major Professor and supervisory committee, which is typically formed in the second semester. These flexible requirements allow Programs of Study to be tailored to the research and career development needs of individual students across diverse biological subdisciplines. Courses from other KSU units including but not limited to Agronomy, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Geography, Plant Pathology and Statistics can be included in the Program of Study.
Enrollment Requirements
Biology Ph.D. students should enroll in 9 credit hours per semester, excluding summer semester, to be on track to graduate in the typical 5 years. Students on appointment as GTAs or GRAs must always be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in each Spring and Fall semester to qualify for salary and benefits. Students who are no longer on a GTA or GRA appointment but have not completed their final degree requirements must enroll in 1 hour per semester until the dissertation is completed.
Suggested Courses:
Rotation students should sign up for a 1-credit section of BIOL 891 (Advanced Problems in Biology) for each rotation.
Students with research interests in molecular and cellular biology will often take BIOL 705 (Eukaryotic Genetics), BIOL 707 (Advanced Cell Biology), and BIOL 860 (Modern Molecular Approaches) in their first year.
Many cutting-edge topics are taught as different sections of BIOL 890 (Advanced Topics in Biology). Students are encouraged to consult the course schedule for an up-to-date list of these offerings.
Doctoral students in Biology are encouraged to take courses that help build quantitative and computational skills. These include but are not limited to:
Electives:
- 21 credit hours of electives, with at least 15 hours at the 800 level or higher Credits: 21
Research:
Minimum 30hrs. Students without a prior M.S. degree will typically take 66 hours of research credit to make up the total of 90 hours required. Students with a prior M.S. may request transfer of up to 30 credit hours toward the 90 credits required for the doctorate and would only need 36 hours.
Total Hours Required for Doctorate: 90
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Return to: Biology
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