Biological Sciences, PhD

Program Description

The MS and PhD degree programs in Biological Sciences encompass a wide variety of disciplines in both plant and animal biology with three major emphasis areas: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Comparative Organismal Biology.

Applicants to the graduate degree programs in Biological Sciences must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and a background of training in biology. All students are expected to have completed inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, calculus, biology, organismal diversity, genetics, and evolutionary biology.

For more information, please visit https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/biosci/academics/grad-overview.html.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The Biological Sciences PhD requires 30 credits beyond the MS degree, or a total of 60 credits after the undergraduate degree, with a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research and at least 12 hours of coursework. In addition to coursework, the student must perform original research, prepare and present a written research proposal, pass a comprehensive exam, publish at least one manuscript and defend their dissertation.

Coursework

Required coursework includes:

• Three credits of BIOL 8000 - Concepts in Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology  or BIOL 8010 - Concepts in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology  
• Six credits of BIOL 8070 - Readings in Biology  
• Six credits of BIOL 8120 - Seminar  

Highly recommended coursework includes:

• BIOL 8140 - Scientific Writing for Biology  
• BIOL 8150 - Professional Development in the Life Sciences