The Degree of PhD (Biological Sciences) [Graduate]

Program Requirements

Required courses depend on the area of specialization (see below) and the undergraduate background of the student; however, the PhD program requires registration in a combination of coursework and thesis research comprising the equivalent of a minimum of ★36. This normally consists of a minimum of ★6 graded courses (equivalent to two single-term graduate-level graded courses) and a thesis. Where graded credits are required as part of the formal coursework toward a PhD degree, project courses or individual study courses may not be included in the minimal requirements. These include BIOL 490 , BIOL 498 , or BIOL 499 , or similar courses in other departments or faculties at the 400, 500, or 600 level. The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies), with the advice from the coordinator of the RIG under which a particular graduate program is administered, will maintain a current list of excluded courses. These courses may be taken for credit in addition to the minimal graded requirement on the recommendation of the supervisory committee with approval of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies).

Generally, courses should be taken in the first year of the program. Beyond the basic course requirements of the Department, each student’s individual program will be developed by agreement between the student and the supervisor or the supervisory committee.

Students will be asked to present their thesis research to the Department in the form of a public seminar either on the same day, or the day before, the thesis defence. In addition, students will be encouraged to present progress reports (oral and poster formats) to the Department or research group in an informal setting at an early stage in their research program.

There is no language requirement for the degree of PhD. Candidates for the PhD degree must complete a minimum of two academic years (equivalent to four terms) in full-time residence at the University of Alberta.

Requirements within Research Groups

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Biological Sciences

The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★6 graded course work, of which ★3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Attendance/participation in an appropriate seminar series is required as determined by the supervisor/supervisory committee.

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Ecology

The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★6 graded course work, of which ★3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Enrolment in BIOL 603 is recommended. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements in their first two years. Students are encouraged to register in BIOL 631 in their first two years and to register and/or participate in BIOL 631 in subsequent years.

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Microbiology and Biotechnology

The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★9 in graded course work, which includes MICRB 514 in the first or second year, MICRB 607 in the second year, and a ★3 graded course selected from the graduate course list (found in Course Listings ) and approved by the student’s supervisor/supervisory committee. In addition to registration in MICRB 607 , students must also register and/or participate in MICRB 606 in all other terms, to a maximum of nine terms.

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Molecular Biology and Genetics

The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★6 graded course work. In their first year, students typically register in GENET 500 (Term I) and GENET 510 (Term II). In special cases, student may opt out of one of these courses on the recommendation of their supervisory committee, however, the substituted course must be at the 400-level or higher. All students must register in at least ★3 graded courses in their first year. All students will register in GENET 601 and GENET 605 each term these courses are offered during the student’s guaranteed funding.

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Physiology, Cell, and Developmental Biology

The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★6 graded course work, of which ★3 must be in a graded seminar or discussionoriented course. Students will register in BIOL 642 during each Fall/Winter term of their program. Students are required to present two seminars in the BIOL 642 seminar course during their PhD program. Normally this would be once in the second and again in subsequent years of their thesis work. Presentation in BIOL 642 is not to be used as the pre-thesis public seminar.

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Plant Biology

The PhD consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★6 graded course work. Students will register in BOT 600 during each of the first two years of their program. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements in their first two years. Continued participation in BOT 600 in subsequent years is recommended.

The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Systematics and Evolution

The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of ★6 graded course work. In addition, students must register in the seminar courses in BIOL 506 and 507 at least once during the program (resulting in a total of ★9). Continued participation in BIOL 507 in subsequent years is recommended. Students are encouraged to select graded courses from the following list after consultation with their supervisor or supervisory committee:

Length of Program

The time required to compete the PhD degree will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of three years is normally required. Candidates must complete their degree program within six years of the time they first register.