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Course Requirements

Area Course Requirements
All students pursuing the Ph.D. degree must complete one course from each of the following four areas:

The only exception to this policy is made for students who join one of the four Programs which have been approved by the Graduate Faculty to require an alternate group of specified courses (see Program Course Requirements). Those Programs are:

Courses must be completed with a grade of at least C (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency as determined by the Academic Standards Committee).

The primary and alternative courses approved by the Academic Standards Committee to satisfy the area course requirements are listed below.

Primary Courses

QUANTITATIVE
An introductory, graduate level course in the quantitative biophysical sciences.

MOLECULAR
An introductory, graduate level course in which the major emphasis is the understanding of intracellular chemical processes and their biological control.

CELLULAR
An introductory, graduate level course in which the major emphasis is the understanding of the structure, function and control of the individual cell as an autonomous biological unit.

SYSTEMS
An introductory, graduate level course in which the major emphasis is the understanding of the regulation of homeostatic and integrative functions of vertebrate or invertebrate organisms.

Alternative Courses
In the event that students can demonstrate extensive (e.g. two undergraduate courses of at least three credit hours each, each passed with at least a grade of B) previous undergraduate academic experience in one or more of the areas, they may petition to substitute one of the following alternative courses to satisfy an area requirement.

The first step in this process is to get a one-page form from the GSBS Office of Academic Affairs (OAA). On this form you will need the signature of the director of a primary course in the particular area. For example, to substitute GS120063 Histology as an alternate course in the cellular area, you may seek approval from Dr. Roger O'Neil, director of the GS040013 Cell Biology course (indicated by his signature). The signed form is then submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs for final approval.

Of course, you are welcome to enroll in any of the alternate courses without this approval, but you will not receive area credit unless this process is completed.

MOLECULAR

CELLULAR