Earn your PhD in Integrated Biology (iBio)
Most students admitted to the PhD in iBio program spend their first semester doing research rotations in three faculty labs. This process culminates in December with each student being assigned to a specific lab for their Ph.D. research. The assignment is the best possible fit for the interests of the student and the mentor. During the first year of the Ph.D. program, students are required to enroll in the department's COSMOS I (Concepts, Models and Systems in Biology) seminar. This consists of a weekly research presentation series given by students in their second year and up. First-year students are required to attend and observe but do not present themselves during that first fall offering. Students also take two introductory courses. The first, "Critical Analysis of Biological Research," is designed to develop cross-disciplinary skills in biological concept, methods, and interpretation of the literature. The second, "Readings in Genetics," is meant to supplement students understanding of core concepts in Genetics, which is central to the research in the Department of Biology. In the spring, most students enroll in COSMOS II which is a seminar course in which a broad research topic is discussed at many different levels of analysis, model and non-model systems, and techniques. In subsequent years, students are required to enroll in other seminar courses (three or more) that have a significant writing component, as well as in advanced lecture and data informatics courses. The PhD program in integrated biology requires a total of 72 semester hours of coursework and research credits.
Student resources
During the spring semester of the second year, students assemble a thesis committee and prepare a grant application-style document that serves as a prospectus of their planned thesis research. They are aided in this by the Spring semester "Writing in the Natural Sciences" course, which provides feedback and instruction on effective scientific writing skills. Students submit this document to, and defend it orally in front of, their thesis committee. Together, the written document and the oral defense comprise the comprehensive exam. After passing the comprehensive exam, students advance to full candidacy for the PhD. Students must also demonstrate teaching skills by assisting in instruction as teaching assistants for at least two semesters.
The program culminates in the student’s preparation of a dissertation based on original, independent research. Once the thesis committee approves of both this written dissertation and the oral defense, the PhD degree will be awarded.
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Marlys Boote
