Biological Sciences, (PhD)

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PhD Degree Program

Program objectives are: (1) understand biological principles, concepts, and theories, and in-depth knowledge in a chosen specialty; (2) develop expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and oral and written presentation of research results; and (3) become competitive for professional positions in the biological sciences.

Program Admission

Application should be made online through The University of Memphis Graduate School portal (https://memphis.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login). Information on the application process can be obtained by emailing the department Graduate Studies Coordinator (grad_studies_coordinator@memphis.edu).
Official transcripts of all previous academic coursework must be sent directly from the issuing institution to The University of Memphis Graduate Admissions. Prospective doctoral students must hold either a Masters or a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. An overall minimum grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale) is usually competitive. Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign institution must have their credentials evaluated by any credentialing agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services’ website. The course-by-course report is required.
To be competitive, applicants must have majored in a STEM or STEM education discipline or have completed upper division coursework in one of these disciplines.
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission into our PhD program. Applicants for the PhD program require a faculty advisor for acceptance into the program. Applicants must contact a potential faculty research advisor in the department’s graduate program. Faculty research interests are listed on the department website (https://www.memphis.edu/biology/researchareas/index.php); applicants are encouraged to interact directly with faculty whose research interests match their own interests. The faculty advisor will send the student and the Graduate Studies Coordinator (grad_studies_coordinator@memphis.edu) a letter or email stating that (1) he/she is willing to mentor the applicant and (2) how the student will be funded while in the program.
Two letters of recommendation from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s suitability for graduate work in biology must be submitted to the Graduate School application site (https://memphis.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login) or to the Department Graduate Studies Coordinator (grad_studies_coordinator@memphis.edu ).
F1 visa applicants for whom English is not their native language must submit proof that they have taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IETLS). The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.0. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 on the paper, 210 on the computer-based, or 79 on the internet-based test. International applicants seeking a Graduate Teaching Assistantships in the Department of Biological Sciences must obtain a score of 26 or higher on the spoken English component of the TOEFL iBT. Alternatively, these applicants can take on campus the SPEAK test (Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit) and must obtain a score of 50 or higher in order to be appointed as a Teaching Assistant.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree is required. For a full-time student, the typical time to complete the program is 5 years. A student entering the PhD program with a MS degree may be awarded 30 semester hours toward the 72 hours requirement. A minimum of 42 semester hours must be taken in residence.
A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained. A student whose grade point average drops below 3.0 will have one semester to raise his or her GPA to 3.0 or better. Continuation of a student who fails to reach a 3.0 overall GPA during two consecutive semesters while in the graduate program is at the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee (in consultation with the student’s Advisory Committee).
Mandatory courses include BIOL 8000 (Orientation to Graduate Studies), BIOL 8004 (College Biology Teaching), BIOL 8004 , BIOL 8092 , BIOL 8103 , BIOL 8200 , BIOL 8600 , and BIOL 9000 . BIOL 8000 must be completed during the first year of residence. Attendance at departmental seminars is mandatory. Up to nine hours of BIOL 8092 , and five hours of BIOL 8200 can be counted toward the degree requirements. Eighteen credit hours of BIOL 9000 must be completed during the program; no more than 18 hours will be counted toward the degree.
Foreign Language and Research - Students are required to demonstrate competence in a foreign language or research tool, or both. Completion of this requirement will be determined by each student’s advisory committee.
Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate is a two-step process that is usually completed by the end of the third year.
1. A written and oral presentation of the student’s Research Prospectus will be made. Details of the plan of research must be approved by the advisory committee prior to collection of data.
2. All students are required to take and pass a written and oral Comprehensive Examination administered by the student’s advisory committee before the end of their sixth semester in residence. The scope of the examination is broad and includes a review of general biological principles.
A dissertation will be required of all candidates for the doctoral degree. The dissertation must show a mastery of the techniques of scientific research, and it must be a distinct and new contribution to the body of scientific knowledge. The student’s Advisory Committee must approve the topic, prospectus, and the final dissertation. At least 18 hours of research and dissertation credit (BIOL 9000 ) must be completed during the graduate program; no more than 18 hours will be counted toward the degree. NOTE: Students should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
A minimum of one published or fully accepted paper in a national or international peer reviewed scientific journal approved by the advisory committee is required.
Dissertation Defense and Final Examination - The final examination will be conducted by the student’s advisory committee. The committee will consist, insofar as possible, of the same persons involved in the specialized knowledge examination. The final examination will be an oral defense of the dissertation and will be announced and open to the public. Upon successful completion of the examination and all degree requirements, the committee will recommend awarding the PhD.