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PhD
There are six research interest groups within the department: Ecology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Physiology and Cell Biology, Plant Biology and Systematics and Evolution. Students either register in one of these areas of specialization for their program or, with permission of the supervisor and approval of the Associate Chair(Graduate Studies), register toward a degree of PhD with Specialization in Biological Sciences. Declared specialization in one of the six research interest areas can be indicated on a student's thesis title page, degree diploma and transcript.
Required courses depend on the area of specialization (see below) and the undergraduate background of the student; however, the PhD program normally consists of a minimum of 6 credits of graded courses (two single-term graduate-level graded courses) and a thesis. Generally, these courses should be taken in the first year of the program and chosen from a list approved by the student's supervisor or by the department (for each of the six areas). 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.
To become a formal PhD Candidate, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research requires students to pass an oral Candidacy Examination no later than six months prior to the final defense. In our department, however, it is recommended that the Examination be taken before the end of the second year of program when most, if not all formal course work has been completed. It can be taken no later than the end of the third year. The Examination must be completed before GTA/GRA support will be provided beyond the third year of program.
Candidates for the PhD degree must complete a minimum of four 4-month terms in full-time residence at the University of Alberta.
Program Requirements Within Research Groups:
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Biological Sciences:
Research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 credits of graded course work, of which 3 credits must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Ecology:
Research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 credits of graded course work, of which 3 credits must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Click here for a list. 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 3 graded courses, which include 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 §231) and approved by the student's supervisor/supervisory committee. In addition, all students must register and/or participate in MICRB 606 in all but the second year, up to a maximum of five years enrolment in MICRB 606 and 607.
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, all students must register in at least *3 graded courses in their first year, and at least *6 of their total graded course weight must be chosen from the 500- or 600- level as advised by their supervisory committee. (GENET 500 and GENET 510 will normally fulfill this requirement). Each year, all students will register and/or participate in GENET 601 and GENET 605.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Plant Biology:
Research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 credits of 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 Physiology, Development and Cell Biology:
Research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 credits of graded course work, of which 3 credits must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Students will register in BIOL 642 during each semester of the first two years of their program. In subsequent years, they will participate either in BIOL 642 or any other seminar course, as determined by the supervisor. Students are also 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 Systematics and Evolution:
Research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 credits of graded course work. In addition, students must register in BIOL 506 and 507 at least once during the program. Continued participation in BIOL 507 in subsequent years is recommended. Students are encouraged to select additional courses from the following list after consultation with the supervisor or supervisory committee: BIOL 321, 335, 380, 430, 521 or 592 (521 strongly recommended).