Biology
Ryan McEwan, Department Chairperson
Thomas Williams, Graduate Program Director
Please visit our department website.
Please apply at the Graduate School website.
The Department of Biology offers programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These are research focused degrees tailored to the student's interests and career plans through faculty mentoring, supported by curriculum and advanced seminars. Major areas of specialization include: Environmental/Ecological Science and Biomedical Sciences. The Department of Biology also offers a Master of Science program without a thesis requirement and an accelerated Bachelor’s Plus Master’s program.
Assistantships
Qualified applicants are eligible for financial assistance in the form of fellowships, traineeships, and research or teaching assistantships. Students admitted to the doctoral program are given priority for these awards. In addition to a stipend, all appointments with financial aid are exempt from tuition during both the academic year and the summer session. Financial aid is available during the summer on a competitive basis.
Advising
Each student is assigned an advisor, and, for MS Thesis and PhD students, the program is guided by an advisory committee. The composition of this committee is representative of the general field of study in which the student expects to work. The committee helps to plan the student's entire program. The committee generally meets with the student once a year to offer suggestions and assess progress in the program.
Doctor of Philosophy in Biology (BIO)
Each student is required to complete 30 semester hours of coursework plus 60 hours of dissertation/research work. Required courses to be completed by the end of the first year include:
| BIO 552 & BIO 553 | Research Methods in Biomedical Science and Research Methods in Ecology | 8 |
| BIO 501 | Seminar | 0 |
| BIO 601 | Special Topics | 1 |
| Two advanced courses | 6 | |
All Ph.D. students who have not previously taken a biostatistics course must enroll in either MTH 527 or BIO 550. Individuals on teaching assistantships must complete the teaching seminar BIO 503 and teach at least one laboratory course during their tenure in the program.
Following completion of the first year, each Ph.D. candidate follows a program outlined by the advisory committee.
Residence Requirement
A student is strongly advised to devote as much time as possible to graduate studies. To satisfy the residency requirement, Ph.D. students must attend the University as a full-time student for at least two full years. The Ph.D. program is a full-time only program. If the advisory committee encourages attendance of a semester or a summer as a full-time student at a neighboring institution or an off-campus research site, that time may be applied to the residence requirement..
Sequence of Evaluation
The program is centered on the development of professional competence. Each student is formally assessed in the following steps:
- A defense of a research proposal during the first Spring semester of fulltime graduate study for all graduate students.
- A candidacy examination over the area of specialization (Ph.D. students only).
- A defense of dissertation.
Each semester the graduate coordinating committee evaluates the overall performance of each student toward obtaining the degree. A student judged to be making unsatisfactory progress may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. Further details concerning the policies of the graduate program can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook in the Department of Biology at the University of Dayton.
Research Proposal
During the first Spring semester of graduate work, all Ph.D. students will submit a written research proposal and orally defend it for their Graduate Committee. The purpose of this assessment is to judge the student’s competence and readiness to perform research in his/her specialized area and in related fields. It also aids the student’s advisory committee in planning the remainder of the program.
Utilizing the student's performance in both the written and oral phases, the advisory committee makes an evaluation and suggests one of the following possible alternatives:
- The student should continue to work toward completion of the Ph.D. degree.
- The student should correct obvious deficiencies and resubmit the written and/or oral portion(s) - (resubmission must be scheduled no later than six months from the original defense date and will result in a clear pass or fail/withdrawal from the program).
- After consultation with the advisory committee, the student should switch to the M.S. program.
- The student should withdraw from graduate work (student has failed the assessment without an opportunity of a second chance).
All other graduate assessments come at specific times in the progress of the student's program and are scheduled and administered by the advisor and advisory committee. These assessments consist of the Ph.D. candidacy examination and the defense of the Ph.D. dissertation.
Ph.D. Candidacy Examination
The candidacy examination for Ph.D. students is administered by the advisory committee, which may be supplemented by members requested by the committee and/or the department chair. The examination will be taken no later than the end of the sixth semester of the program. The purpose of the examination is to judge the student's competence in the special area and in related fields. Following the examination, the student may be directed to (a) complete the dissertation, (b) strengthen preparation by demonstrating competence in one or more areas, (c) withdraw from the Ph.D. program and complete a thesis M.S. degree, or (d) withdraw from the program. At the committee's discretion, additional competence in an area may be demonstrated by special examination or by completion of specific courses to the committee's satisfaction. The student is considered a candidate for the Ph.D. after successful completion of these requirements.
Defense of Dissertation
- The examination on the Ph.D. dissertation will consist of a formal oral examination on the subject matter of the dissertation.
- A Ph.D. student must present the dissertation for defense within five years after successfully completing the candidacy examination.
Master of Science in Biology (BIO)
Masters of Science Degree offers two tracks
- Masters (thesis option) – A minimum of 30 credits, 24 graduate coursework credit hours plus 6 thesis credit hours and the completion of a Thesis.
- Masters (non-thesis option) – A minimum of 30 course credits plus a written and orally presented capstone paper.
| Core Required Courses | 9 Credits | |
| BIO 501 | Seminar (Required every semester) 1 | 0 |
| BIO 551 | Laboratory Skills in the Biological Sciences | 2 |
| BIO 552 | Research Methods in Biomedical Science | 4 |
| or BIO 553 | Research Methods in Ecology | |
| BIO 554 | Scientific Practice | 2 |
| BIO 601 | Special Topics (Required every semester, topics may vary) 1 | 1 |
| Non-Thesis Option 2, 3 | ||
| Any BIO 500 or 600 level course | 21 | |
| Thesis Option 2, 3 | 21 | |
| BIO 599 | Thesis | 6 |
| Any BIO 500 or 600 level course | 15 | |
Footnotes:
1. Students will generally enroll in these classes every semester although exceptions can be made with approval from the Graduate Program Director.
2. All M.S. students must demonstrate competency in biostatistics either through presenting evidence of competency and receiving approval from the Graduate Program Director or by completing Biometrics (BIO 550 -3 credits).
3. Graduate students who will be teaching in the Department of Biology must complete College Teaching Seminar BIO 503 (1 credit) or have this requirement waived by the Graduate Program Director. Bachelors plus Masters (BPM).
Bachelor's Plus Master's (BPM)
The Bachelor’s Plus Master’s degree in Biology is an accelerated, highly structured program designed for students who show an early interest in, and a strong potential for, excellence in the biological sciences. The BPM pathway is open to students pursuing a B.S. degree in Biology, Environmental Biology, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dental, Health Science-Integrated Physiology, or related disciplines with a 3.0 GPA. Students who are in other majors, or who do not meet the GPA requirement, will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
M.S. Non-thesis Option
Students declaring the M.S. non-thesis option are required to complete 30 hours of coursework consisting of the aforementioned courses. Additionally, the student will complete a capstone research project that results in a written paper and oral presentation that are evaluated by the Primary Advisor.
M.S. Thesis Option
Each Thesis student must successfully complete two assessments:
- A defense of the Thesis research proposal.
- A defense of the final thesis.
In addition, each year the student’s Primary Adviser and Graduate Committee evaluate the overall performance of each student toward obtaining the degree. A student judged to be making unsatisfactory progress may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. Each student working toward the M.S. degree must complete the program within seven years after admission to the program.
Further details concerning the policies of the graduate program can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook in the Department of Biology at the University of Dayton.
Courses
BIO 501. Seminar. 0 Hours
Presentation of biological research data by faculty members and visiting scientists. Required of all graduate students each semester.
BIO 503. College Teaching Seminar. 1 Hour
To assist graduate teaching assistants in acquiring information, understanding, and skills seen as important components of effective teaching.
BIO 509. Ecological Restoration. 3 Hours
Principles and practices of ecological restoration. The course presents the rationale and knowledge needed to understand, appreciate, plan and perform ecological restoration.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate status.
BIO 511. Ecosystem Dynamics. 3 Hours
An advanced course examining ecosystem structure and function. Emphasis on community level interactions, applied ecology and the ways in which ecosystem biodiversity can be influenced by the biotic and abiotic forces of the environment, including the global impact of the human species.
BIO 512. Genetics of Human Disease. 3 Hours
Study of the molecular genetics of inherited human diseases using a systems-approach. This course is a survey of inherited diseases linked to major organs and organ systems.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate student status.
BIO 515. Regulation of Growth, Development and Cancer. 3 Hours
An advance course to study Growth regulation during development and cancer. This course will cover topics such as molecular control of growth regulation and cell behavior; and evidences for the involvement of these mechanisms in cancer. This course includes journal club discussions, presentations by students on topics discussed in the course.
Prerequisites: BIO 552.
BIO 517. Mechanisms in Cancer Biology. 3 Hours
Advance level course that examines the molecular and cellular signaling processes connected to initiation and progression of cancer. Course will provide in-depth understanding of topics like tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, role of the tumor microenvironment, and epigenetic changes and their relation to cancer. Course will discuss latest research and techniques that have helped integrate the molecular mechanisms with current treatments, improved diagnosis or treatment options for cancer.
Prerequisite: Upper level course in Developmental biology, cell biology, genetics with basic understanding of cancer.
BIO 518. General Pharmacology. 3 Hours
An overview of the basic principles of Pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, with emphasis on the mechanisms of drug action and the pharmacotherapeutic effects of major clinically important drug classes.
Prerequisites: Graduate Status, OR Instructor's Permission.
BIO 521. General Microbiology. 3 Hours
A graduate level introduction to general microbiology covering fundamental topics, such as structures and functions, genetics, physiology, and metabolism. This course includes weekly journal club discussions to immerse students in current microbiology research. Students are also responsible for providing one guest lecture in the BIO 411 General Microbiology class to demonstrate their learning.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate level or instructor's approval.
BIO 522. Immunology. 3 Hours
Study of innate and acquired immunity, cells and organs of the immune system, antigens and immunoglobulins. Specific emphasis on the organization and expression of immunoglobulin genes; genetic restriction; cytokines and immune regulation including hypersensitivity, immune tolerance, transplantation and autoimmunity. Biochemistry recommended.
BIO 535. Problems in Field Biology. 1-3 Hours
Course designed to acquaint students with field-oriented problems in biology.
BIO 540. Cell Biology. 3 Hours
A study of the fundamental principles of cell biology and human biology with emphasis on the function, structure, composition, heredity and growth of cells. This course focuses on the analysis of cell concepts in biochemical terms.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate status.
BIO 545. Evolution & Development. 3 Hours
Molecular and population genetic examination of the evolution of animal form. Topics include comparative developmental biology, population genetics, and molecular evolution.
Prerequisite(s): Student status in Biology or permission of instructor.
BIO 550. Biometrics. 3 Hours
Design and analysis of experiments in quantitative biology. Parametric and nonparametric analyses of both laboratory and field-generated data sets.
BIO 551. Laboratory Skills in the Biological Sciences. 2 Hours
Laboratory Skills in the Biological Sciences (BIO 552-P3), taught in the Department of Biology, is tailored to introduce our graduate students to this fast changing field of research by teaching shared methodologies and techniques involved in biology.
BIO 552. Research Methods in Biomedical Science. 4 Hours
Theory and applications of protein and nucleic acid techniques designed to acquaint students with advanced laboratory techniques used in biological research.
BIO 553. Research Methods in Ecology. 4 Hours
Advanced research techniques and instrumentation in Ecology and Field Biology. Prerequisite(s): Graduate Student Standing.
BIO 554. Scientific Practice. 2 Hours
Students are prepared for practicing aspects of a scientific profession. Scientific ethics, grant and manuscript writing, internal regulatory boards, and intellectual properties are covered. This course also covers topics in the responsible conduct of research drawing from case studies from the Association of American Medical Colleges and the NIH. Students will review case studies in preparation for class discussion. Graduate Student Standing.
BIO 555. Laboratory Techniques. 1-3 Hours
Advanced treatment of new techniques and instrumentation used in specialized areas of biology. Changes with advances in a specialty are reflected in the course title.
BIO 566. Biology of Infectious Disease. 3 Hours
The nature of infectious diseases, host-parasite relationships in resistance and infection, defense mechanism (antigen-antibody response); survey of the bacteria causing disease in humans; in-depth discussion of current infectious disease research.
BIO 594. Molecular Biology - Theory & Practice. 3 Hours
Introduction to the theory and practice of molecular biology techniques. Topics and laboratory exercises include the enzymatic manipulation of DNA and RNA, Southern and Northern blotting, library screening, DNA sequencing, DNA amplification, and gene promoter structure and function.
BIO 595. Neuroscience. 3 Hours
Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Neuroscience with a focus on the integrated cellular, molecular, neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms governing complex brain functions.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate status Or Instructor’s Permission.
BIO 596. Current Biology Problems. 1-3 Hours
Consideration of recent developments in biological thought and procedure. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chairperson.
BIO 597. Neuroscience of Brain Disorders. 3 Hours
An integrated approach to understanding the neuroscientific basis of brain disorders with emphasis on the neuronal circuits, the neurochemical and molecular neurobiological pathways underlying the pathophysiology of nervous system diseases, and available pharmacotherapies.
Prerequisite(s): BIO595 (OR upper-level course in Neurobiology/Neuroscience) AND Graduate Status, OR Instructor's Permission.
BIO 599. Thesis. 1-6 Hours
Research for the master's degree.
BIO 600. Graduate Research Experience in Biology. 1 Hour
In this course, students will engage in faculty mentored research experience in Biology. These experiences may be related to biology research activity in a field or laboratory setting.
BIO 601. Special Topics. 1 Hour
Development, presentation, and discussion of topics in specialized areas of biology. Required of graduate students each semester.
BIO 699. Dissertation. 1-9 Hours
Research for the doctoral degree.