Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Integrated Biology

University of Iowa

The Department of Biology's graduate programs in integrated biology emphasize original research and developing the skills essential for publishing and communicating research findings to the scientific community. Research programs in the department cover many areas of the biological sciences: cell biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, and neurobiology. Graduate study in the department provides students with a broad understanding of these basic areas.

When new graduate students are admitted, they are assigned a temporary advisor. Each student and the advisor discuss the student's educational background and formulate a first-semester study plan before the student registers for courses. The programs allow each student to tailor course work to the research interest of the student. Students may be advised to take specific course work in order to enhance their background in certain areas.

During the first year, students whose preparation in chemistry, genetics, mathematics, and physics does not meet the department's graduate entry requirements may need to remedy deficiencies by taking appropriate course work.

Minimum entry requirements are:

two semesters of organic chemistry, or one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry;

one semester of calculus;

two semesters of college physics; and

20 s.h. of course work in biology.

A student with a bachelor's degree outside the biological sciences may request modification of certain area requirements. The Graduate Affairs Committee decides whether portions of the requirements may be waived.

New Ph.D. students will go through three laboratory rotations with different faculty during their first semester (August-December). Students consult with their temporary advisors and with prospective faculty research sponsors before identifying their preferences for research rotations. Based on their rotations, they choose a laboratory affiliation for their thesis. This is done late in the first semester.

During the first year (both semesters), students are required to enroll in BIOL:6298 Concepts, Models, and Systems in Biology (COSMOS) Seminar, which introduces them to multiple levels of biological analysis and provides them with significant opportunities to hone their skills in written and oral communication. At the end of the first year, students take a qualifying exam that consists of essay questions based on major themes in biology. Students must perform satisfactorily on this exam in order to continue in the program.

During the first two years, students must enroll in at least two advanced lecture courses (or courses approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee), one approved data informatics or statistics course, and one free elective (either another advanced lecture or informatics course). Prior to the comprehensive examination, students also take a seminar course (2 s.h.), that has a significant writing and oral presentation component, and BIOL: 6188 Seminar: Writing in Natural Sciences.

The comprehensive examination is taken in the summer of the second year in residence. Students prepare a National Institutes of Health/National Science Foundation-style grant application on their planned thesis work and orally defend this work in front of a review committee. Students must demonstrate knowledge of biology fundamentals and the analytic and synthetic skills necessary to become creative, independent scientists. Once they complete the course work and proficiency requirements and pass the comprehensive examination, students may be admitted to full candidacy for the Ph.D.