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Requirements for Ph.D.

Requirements for Ph.D. in Animal Biology-Plan B

The degree requirements have been revised effective Fall 2025; the below are the current degree requirements for students enrolled prior to Fall 2025

1. Coursework

  • Integrated Animal Biology I and II (ABG 200A, 200B, (3 units each))
  • Interdisciplinary Area of Interest (8-20 units) at least 6 units should be graded graduate level (>200) course work.
  • Statistical and Research Methods (at least 6 units graded graduate level (>200) from a series): PLS 205/206 recommended
  • Scientific Writing/Grant Writing (1 course): ABG 202, NPB 270 or NUT 492C recommended
  • Ethics and Professionalism in Animal Biology (ABG401, 2 units)
  • Disciplinary Seminar (2 quarters)
  • Teaching experience and course for guidance (ABG 300, 396 recommended)

2. Pass Preliminary Exam

3. Pass Qualifying Exam

4. Completion of an original research project written as a Ph.D. dissertation.

A minimum of annual meetings with the mentoring committee are required before and after the qualifying examination but more frequent meetings are encouraged for the most benefit to the student. Student will orally discuss completed dissertation with their committee in a private meeting and present an exit seminar on the dissertation research.

 

Requirements for Ph.D. in Animal Biology-Plan A

Degree requirements effective Fall 2025 

Course deficiencies to be completed, as specified upon admission (if applicable)

  • NPB 101 or ANS 100- 5 units
  • BIS 101- 4 units
  • STA100- 4 units

1. Coursework (total 28-40 units)- All coursework must be completed before you take your qualifying exam, and within 6 quarters of starting the program.

Core Courses (total of 16 units)

  • Integrated Animal Biology I -ABG 200A (Fall) 3 units
  • Integrated Animal Biology II-ABG 200B (Spring) 3 units
  • Grant Writing- ABG 202 (Fall) 2 units
  • Animal Ethics- ABG 401 (offered alternating year) 2 units

Statistics- Two quarters 

Statistics course 1; 100 or 200 level (3 units): 

  • Acceptable courses include STA 106 or 108, PLS 205, 206, ANT 291, EVE 225, PSC 204 and 205 series, PMI 203, EPI 202, 203, 204

Statistics course 2; 100 or 200 level (3 units)

  • Acceptable courses include STA 106 or 108, PLS 205, 206, ANT 291, EVE 225, PSC 204 and 205 series, PMI 203, EPI 202, 203, 204

Elective Courses (total 12-24 units)

  • Teaching experience and course for guidance (ABG 300, 396 recommended) 2 units
  • Various - Interdisciplinary courses 8-20 units
  • ABG 290- Seminar (or other approved seminar 2 units

2. Preliminary Exam-While completing both quarters of the core courses (ABG 200A and ABG 200B), students will take an exam or series of exams (written and/or oral, at the discretion of the course instructors) focused on the material covered in ABG 200A and ABG 200B, the breadth of Animal Biology and include species comparisons of organismal biology. This approach ensures that the student has the necessary breadth of knowledge in organismal animal biology. Students who do not pass exams in ABG 200A and 200B with a “B” or better will have one additional opportunity to pass. If the student does not pass core courses ABG 200A and 200B with a “B” or better by the end of the 6th quarter, the Graduate Advisors will recommend to Graduate Page 15 Studies that the student be disqualified from the program.

3. Qualifying Exam- The Qualifying Examination is an oral examination although a written research proposal is required in advance of the examination. Students are encouraged to meet with their examiners in the months before the exam to agree upon reading material that will serve as the basis for the discipline-specific component of the questioning.  Written Portion of the QE-The Written Research Proposal (the written component of the Qualifying Exam) will outline in detail a proposed dissertation project and up to 8 pages in length. Oral Portion of the QE-The oral portion of the qualifying exam will be a maximum of 3 hours in length and is intended to evaluate the student’s eventual ability to pursue independent research

4. Completion of an original research project written as a Ph.D. dissertation.

5. Dissertation: final oral examination- The final oral examination exam will be approximately 2-3 hours in length and is intended to evaluate the student’s ability to defend decisions made throughout the dissertation and to pursue future, independent research

Specific details of the degree requirements can be found here: Approved Degree Requirements, 2025