Biology - PhD

College of Science

Department of Biology

Co-Directors: Dr. Erin Bobeck and Dr. Karen Kapheim

Graduate Programs Coordinator: Anthony Sterenchak

Location: Biology-Natural Resources 117E

E-Mail: anthony.sterenchak@usu.edu

Phone: (435) 797-2485

WWW: https://www.usu.edu/biology/ 

Degrees offered: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology or Biology (Ecology). The department also participates in interdisciplinary programs in Climate Adaptation Science and Neuroscience.

Ecology: https://www.usu.edu/ecology/

Neuroscience: https://www.usu.edu/neuroscience/

Climate Adaptation Science: https://www.usu.edu/climate-adaptation/

School of Graduate Studies Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
• Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
• The Program of Study for a doctoral degree, if the student has a master’s degree, must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above. If the student does not have a master’s degree, the Program of Study must include at least 30 credits at the level of 6000 or above.
• A doctorate must be completed within eight years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
• Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.

 

• Course Level Restrictions:
  • Graduate level course work (6000 and above)
  • No more than 12 credits of 5000-5990 level courses

• Thesis/Dissertation Research Credits 6970/7970
  • Doctoral students:

A minimum of 12 dissertation credits (7970) is required if the student has a master’s degree (or is within the Neuroscience PhD), and a minimum of 18 is required if the student has a bachelor’s degree.

• Doctoral forms:
  • Approval of academic forms required for doctoral students by the School of Graduate Studies.
  • List of specific forms, depending on plan type:
    • Supervisory Committee
    • Program of Study
    • Annual Professional Development Plan
    • Individual Development Plan
    • Completion of Comprehensive Exams (Written and Oral)
    • Application for Candidacy
    • Appointment for Examination
    • Record of Examination
    • Dissertation Format and Style
    • Authorship and Copyright
    • Dissertation Title Page
    • SGS and library review and approval of Dissertation
• Defense
  • Completion of Public presentation of research
  • Completion of Private Defense with Supervisory Committee
• Total Credits
  • PhD-M (With Master’s): 30
  • PhD-B (Bachelor’s only): 60