About
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biological Sciences within the School of Life Sciences (SoLS) consists of four sectional research concentrations that reflect the scope of modern biology: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), Integrative Physiology (IP), Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), and Microbiology (MB). The degree is research intensive and designed to prepare students for careers in academia, government, and industry as engaged scholars who are experts in their chosen field. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours from a list of core and approved courses within their research section. They must engage in independent research that is novel and exciting culminating with a dissertation that makes an important contribution to their chosen field. As such, it is expected that their dissertation work will be published in peer reviewed journals with the student listed as first author. Successful students are also trained and expected to develop as effective teachers and educators, and each student must serve as a teaching assistant for two semesters as part of the degree program.
Available Options
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Post-Bachelor’s – Cellular and Molecular Biology Track
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Post-Bachelor’s – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Track
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Post-Bachelor’s – Integrative Physiology Track
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Post-Bachelor’s – Microbiology Track
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Post-Bachelor's – Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Track
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Post-Master’s Track
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
Learning Outcomes
All students graduating with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences should be able to:
- Master a critical set of key concepts specific for each sectional concentration.
- Gain expertise with key methodologies and experimental techniques specific for each sectional concentration.
- Read, comprehend, and critically evaluate the current published scientific literature.
- Evaluate a scientific question and formulate testable hypotheses.
- Independently design experiments to effectively test hypotheses.
- Generate and collect reproducible data.
- Access up-to-date methods for analyzing and tabulating data.
- Communicate scientific results effectively in oral presentations to general and specialized audiences.
- Communicate scientific results effectively in written reports for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Apply and be competitive for extramural monies to fund research.
- Instruct and engage students and members of the community at all levels to appreciate the importance of biology in their lives.
Requirements
Documents/Downloads
Doctor of Philosophy - Biological Sciences
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Degree Worksheets
- NA
Careers
- Career Possibilities118.53 KB
Graduate Handbooks
- Program Handbook480.15 KB
Additional Downloads
- NA
Related Links
Contacts
Graduate Coordinator
Boo Shan Tseng
School of Life Sciences
Life sciences involves studies of living organisms and their life processes, including their evolution and relationships with other living organisms and our planet. The courses and programs offered by the School of Life Sciences are designed for those students pursuing professional careers in medicine, science, and science education.
Website
Phone
College of Sciences
The School of Life Sciences offers programs that meet the needs of students intending to enter the workforce or pursue advanced training in the sciences, medicine, and other professional and technical fields. We provide a well-rounded foundation in natural, physical, and mathematical sciences that can set students up for successful careers and professional programs.