Doctoral Program
The doctoral program emphasizes empirical and theoretical approaches to biological research. Students are required to integrate basic skills in biology with focal studies in an emphasis area. The program is designed to provide research experience and training appropriate for advanced positions in academic research and teaching, government and public agencies, and industry.
Ph.D. Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Ph.D. program must submit a formal application to the
Graduate Admissions Office. In addition, the applicant should arrange
to have sent: three letters of recommendation from faculty members at
previously attended colleges or universities, GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative,
and Analytical), and transcripts of all postsecondary academic work. Admission
to the Ph.D. program normally requires a minimum grade point average overall
and in biology courses of 3.0 (where A=4.0).
Applicants from countries where English is not a primary language are required to take the TOEFL examination.
Scores must be submitted before admission can be decided. Ordinarily, a score of 550 or better is required. Applicants should have a bachelor's or M.S. degree from an accredited United States college or university or evidence of equivalent training at an accredited institution outside the United States.
Applicants should have the appropriate background for graduate work in biology, including courses in genetics, biochemistry, and evolution. Courses in organic chemistry, college physics, and calculus are expected. A course in statistics is recommended. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program who have not met all the prerequisites may be required to make up deficiencies before admission to candidacy. The deficiencies will be decided during orientation meetings prior to the start of the second semester. Three credits of Biology 4920 Selected Topics can be given to graduate students for Biology 2012 or Biology 3302 if they receive a grade of B or better for all undergraduate course work and complete a graduate-level paper assigned by the instructor. Instructor consent is required.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the basic
requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Biology include 60 graduate credit
hours. At least 30 of the 60 hours must be taken at the 5000 or 6000 level.
With the explicit consent of the advisory committee, students may take
for graduate credit up to 3 credit hours of 3000 level courses in allied
departments. Courses in biology at the 3000 level and below are not available
for graduate credit. At least 31 of the 60 hours must be taken while in
residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Graduate credit for
course work transferred from another program is subject to approval by
the graduate committee and by the Graduate School. Graduate courses taken
elsewhere will be considered for transfer credit during orientation meetings
conducted prior to the start of the second semester of enrollment.
Specific courses shall be completed as follows:
Biology 4122 (3 hours), Biometry, or equivalent course
in statistics.
Biology 6889 (2 hours), Graduate Seminar.
Three semesters required (6 credits total).
12 hours of formal course work required by the student's emphasis area at the time a student is admitted to the Ph.D. program.
The maximum number of credit hours that may be applied toward the 60-hour
requirement is limited as stated below:
Biology 6889, Graduate Seminar: 10 hours
Biology 6905, Graduate Research: 30 hours
A combination of 6 total credit hours of the following:
Biology 5059, Topics in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
Biology 5069, Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology
Biology 5079, Topics in Floristic Taxonomy
A one credit hour course, Ethics in Biology, will be required of all students starting Fall 2008.
First-Year Experience
Graduate students are expected to become involved in a research experience
during their first-year program, usually winter semester or summer session.
Qualifying Examination
Students must pass a qualifying examination (which consists of a written
and oral component), based on fundamental principles presented in formal
courses and in papers of special importance in the field. The exam will
be given in January of each year, at the beginning of the winter semester.
Students beginning studies in the fall semester would normally take the
qualifying examination prior to their fourth semester of full-time study.
Doctoral students who have earned an M.S. degree previously are encouraged
to take the examination in their first year.
Admission to Candidacy
To be admitted to candidacy, students must satisfy the requirements of
the Graduate School, which includes passing all qualifying examinations
and completing all required course work.
Dissertation Proposal
All students must defend orally a written dissertation proposal to their
dissertation committee. The approved proposal must be submitted to the
director of graduate studies in biology. Doctoral students may not enroll
in more than 4 credits of graduate research (Biology 6905) before they
have received approval for their dissertation proposal.
Dissertation
A dissertation embodying the results of original research shall be submitted
to and approved by the Department of Biology and the Graduate School.
The general regulations of the Graduate School concerning the preparation
of the dissertation must be met. These rules include a public oral defense
of the written dissertation. Dissertations are to be presented in a style
appropriate for one or more publications in scientific journals.
Teaching
At least one semester of supervised teaching is required of all doctoral
students.