The Department of Biology and Biochemistry offers graduate programs in Biochemistry and in Biology (MS and PhD degrees in both). The graduate program in Biology has two degree tracks: the Cell and Molecular Biology degree track, and the Ecology and Evolution degre track. The graduate programs and degree tracks mirror the organization of the department into three divisions: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Ecology and Evolution. Each division has similar, although not identical, requirements for its MS and PhD degrees. Each division has a Policy Leader, who is a faculty member whose responsibilities include overseeing the progress of students before they have chosen a thesis or dissertation advisor. An overview of the requirements for the MS and PhD degrees in the programs in Biochemistry and in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology degree track, and Ecology and Evolution degree track) is given below.

Course requirements differ somewhat among the divisions, so that entering students should have chosen a division before arrival. A change in division, if deemed desirable by a student, should be discussed with the appropriate Policy Leader and made during graduate student orientation so that students can be enrolled in the appropriate courses.

A description of the various requirements follows. They are then listed with their respective deadlines.

• Thesis or dissertation advisor
  Students must enter into a mutual agreement with a regular or jointly appointed faculty member of the department who will be responsible for directing the student's research. The advisor (also called the major professor) will normally provide support for his/her students from research grants, usually after the first year in the program.

• Thesis or dissertation committee
  Students are responsible for getting appropriate faculty members and "outside" individuals to serve, with the advisor, as members of the student's committee. Details of committee composition are in the requirements of the respective divisions.

• Program of studies (Biochemistry only)
  Students must provide background information, courses taken/to be taken, a brief description of the proposed research, and other items. See biochemistry requirements for details.

• Laboratory rotations
  Students in all divisions are required to carry out research work in two different laboratories, usually those of faculty members in the student's division. One of these rotations typically will be in the laboratory of the faculty member later named the student's advisor.

• First year evaluations
  The student's progress will be evaluated using criteria such as courses taken and grades earned, attendance/participation in seminars, reports from laboratory rotation advisors, and acceptance into a laboratory (advisor chosen).

• Written comprehensive examination (Biochemistry only)
  Students must pass a written examination to test mastery of the fundamentals of biochemical sciences.

• Qualifying examination
  PhD students in all divisions must submit a written research proposal (dissertation proposal in the the Ecology and Evolution division) and defend it orally. In the Ecology and Evolution division, a written examination is also required. This is the major examination for those seeking the PhD. See the requirements of the respective divisions for details.

• Defense of thesis or dissertation
  All students must defend orally the thesis or dissertation after it has been deemed acceptable for defense by the student's thesis or dissertation committee.

Comparative chart of SOME of the requirements for the 3 divisions (details can be found on the requirements page of each Division).