The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is granted to students who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of a broad field of learning and have given evidence of distinguished accomplishment in that field. The degree also signifies that the recipient has critical ability and powers of imaginative synthesis as demonstrated by a doctoral dissertation containing an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field of study. The Quantitative and Systems Biology PhD program has the following concentrations: Computational and Theoretical Biology (CTB), Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB), and Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB). Each concentration has slightly different requirements. However the general requirements for both concentrations are listed below.
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Complete at least four semesters of full-time academic residence (12 units minimum) at UC Merced.
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Complete one Quantitative Biology (QB) course, one Systems Biology (SB) course, and one QSB elective course. A minimum of 3 units per course. The acceptable courses can be found here under the "Quantitative and Systems Biology" drop down menu. Do be aware that not all QSB courses are offered on a consistent basis.
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Complete a qualifying examination that includes both a written and an oral component.
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Prepare an acceptable thesis describing original research in the field and successfully defend thesis to thesis committee.
The infographic for the general QSB PhD degree is here. An example roadmap of the Ph.D. program can be found here.
