Graduate Studies in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology

The Graduate Program administered primarily by the Department of Biology is officially named Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, and offers graduate study leading to both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The specialization tracks for graduate study in EEOB are Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Physiology.

The Graduate Student Handbook provides general information about the program.

Many Biology faculty work in other areas that are covered by UCR's interdepartmental programs in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Sciences. All of our graduate programs aim to train young scientists with the broad perspectives, technical abilities, initiative, and imagination that will lead to productive independent research careers.

This page contains information on admission, the M.S. and Ph.D. programs, evaluation of students, and application procedures. Separate pages contain data on the Department's current graduate students and graduate courses.

Click this link to go to the home page of the Graduate Division.

Admission of Students

See the UCR Graduate Division website for information on the basic requirements and procedures for admission to graduate standing at the University of California, Riverside. Requirements for admission to the graduate program in Biology include holding a B.A. or B.S. degree in Biology or a related discipline, although majors in other fields (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, physics) are acceptable if their basic preparation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics is deemed adequate. Recent Graduate Record Examination scores for both the general and subject tests are required for all applicants. Basic preparation in science (usually part of an undergraduate major in Biology) should include calculus, inorganic and organic chemistry, and physics.

The Master of Science Program

The UCR Biology Department offers a Master's Degree based on research; we do not offer a 'coursework' M.S. degree.

Students accepted into the M.S. program should, in the first year, take basic course work in Cell and Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or Physiology, and also plan and begin a research project. By the end of the second quarter, the student should select a faculty research sponsor and prepare a brief description of the proposed research. The research sponsor need not have been an original member of the Guidance Committee, but once chosen becomes the chair. Research should be initiated in the third quarter, and students should register for Biology 297, Directed Research. Twenty-four units of course work in graduate courses (200 series) in biological sciences, of which at least 12 must be courses other than 290-299. Students in the Cell and Molecular Biology specialization must include Biology 200 and 201. The remaining 12 units can be taken either in the 100 or 200 series. Enrollment is expected in Biology 252 seminar and the 265 "lunch bunch" for all students during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. It is generally advisable to concentrate on formal course work during the first year and on research in the second year. Thesis preparation should begin no later than the beginning of spring quarter in the second year. Presentation of an acceptable thesis and final oral defense of theses are required of every candidate for the M.S. degree.

In the third quarter of residence, the student must meet with the Guidance Committee to discuss progress in the M.S. program. The Chair of the Guidance Committee shall prepare a brief report for the faculty of the specialization. All evaluations will be reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee, which is responsible for making specific recommendations to the Graduate Division concerning student progress.

The Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. degree requires demonstration of broad knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or Physiology, and substantive ability in original research. The general requirements are the same for each specialization (except for course requirements) and include (in approximate chronological order):

completion of basic course work (courses)
completion of one year of teaching (a minimum of three quarters of service as a Teaching Assistant)
passing the Written Qualifying Examination (instructions)
preparation of an original research proposal
passing the Oral Qualifying Examination
completion of research and preparation of the Ph.D. Dissertation itself
successful defense of the Dissertation through a final Oral Examination.

The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. degree requirements is six years, but students are strongly encouraged to complete the requirements within five years. During the first two years, emphasis is on course work and reading in preparation for Written and Oral qualifying examinations. The final two or three years are devoted primarily to research and to the writing and defense of the Dissertation, although students continue to participate in graduate seminars and may take additional coursework during this period. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. in Biology.

The Ph.D. qualifying procedure requires satisfactory completion of the written qualifying examination, preparation of a research proposal, and an oral qualifying examination. The written qualifying examination is a comprehensive examination in the field of specialization. It is given in Spring and is normally taken in the student's sixth quarter of residence (students who have entered the Ph.D. program with a Master's degree normally take the examination during the third quarter of residence). Following successful completion of the written examination, a Ph.D. Qualifying Committee is nominated by the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the student and prospective Chair of the Dissertation Committee (Major Professor). The Committee must include one faculty member outside the Department of Biology and the faculty of the graduate specialization. The Qualifying Committee cannot include the student's Major Professor, and is subject to the approval of the Graduate Dean. The Qualifying Committee evaluates the Research Proposal and conducts the Oral Examination. The research proposal is a description of a research project prepared in the format of an NSF or NIH grant proposal. The main purpose of the proposal is to evaluate the student's ability to identify meaningful research problems and find solutions for them. Work on the proposal and preliminary experiments may begin at any time but the final proposal should be submitted before the beginning of the third year. The Oral Examination is conducted by the student's Qualifying Committee and may cover any material relevant to the interest and goals of the student, especially those in the student's area of research specialization. After successful completion of the Oral Examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. and the Dissertation Committee is formally appointed.

Research leading to the Ph.D. degree is carried out under the supervision of the Dissertation Committee. This Committee consists of the Major Professor and two other faculty members selected on the basis of their ability to guide the research and writing of the dissertation. It is the responsibility of this Committee to decide when data of sufficient quality and quantity have been gathered to demonstrate proficiency in independent research. The format of the dissertation is somewhat flexible (e.g., it may be a formally prepared 'stand-alone' document or a collection of autonomous research papers with appropriate introductory and summary sections), but must meet with the approval of the Graduate Division and the Dissertation Committee. The final Oral Examination includes a public formal presentation (seminar) on the dissertation research. The candidate will be responsible for defending the dissertation in response to questions from the Dissertation Committee and other faculty and students. Following the public seminar and question period, the candidate may be requested to meet with the Dissertation Committee to answer additional questions and discuss modifications of the dissertation. Once the Committee is satisfied with the dissertation, and it is filed with the Graduate Division, all requirements for the Ph.D. will have been met.

Progress Evaluation

For both M.S. and Ph.D. students, evaluations of progress are carried out each year by the faculty of each specialization, or a committee thereof. All evaluations are reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee which is responsible for making specific recommendations to the Graduate Division concerning the student's progress. It is also the responsibility of the Graduate Advisory Committee to recommend exceptions to the normal time schedule occasioned by unusual circumstances. The student is notified in writing of the results of the annual evaluation and a copy is forwarded to the Graduate Division.

Application Information

Inquiries about the graduate program in Biology may be addressed to:

Biological Sciences Graduate Student Affairs Center
1001 Batchelor Hall
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521

Phone: (951) 827-4716 or (800) 735-0717
Fax: (951) 827-5517
biograd@pop.ucr.edu

Students must apply on-line at: http://www.bioscigrad.ucr.edu

The application process includes:

a completed electronic application form
a statement of purpose.
submission of GRE scores (general and subject)
a $60 filing fee
official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
three (or more) letters of recommendation from academic personnel.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and whose first language is not English must also submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score with the formal application. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for admission. Applications are generally reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee within a month after the completed application is received by the graduate secretary. Students are then notified of the Committee's decision. In some instances, the prospective student is invited to interview with the faculty before a final decision is made. To ensure maximum consideration, completed applications should be received no later than January 5. Later applications may be considered if additional openings in the graduate program become available.

The Program welcomes early applications. Occasionally, the Program is able to consider Ph.D. applications as late as June; however, these applicants run the risk that the limited number of openings -- especially for funding -- will have been filled by that time.

Updated 30 Jan. 2008 by T.G.



Graduate Studies in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
BIOLOGY HOME ABOUT US PEOPLE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COURSES WEEKLY SEMINARS NEWS/EVENTS LINKS NATURAL RESERVES UCIRPEE NERE CONTACT PHOTO GALLERY JOBS	The Graduate Program administered primarily by the Department of Biology is officially named Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, and offers graduate study leading to both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The specialization tracks for graduate study in EEOB are Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Physiology. The Graduate Student Handbook provides general information about the program. Many Biology faculty work in other areas that are covered by UCR's interdepartmental programs in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Sciences. All of our graduate programs aim to train young scientists with the broad perspectives, technical abilities, initiative, and imagination that will lead to productive independent research careers. This page contains information on admission, the M.S. and Ph.D. programs, evaluation of students, and application procedures. Separate pages contain data on the Department's current graduate students and graduate courses. Click this link to go to the home page of the Graduate Division. Admission of Students See the UCR Graduate Division website for information on the basic requirements and procedures for admission to graduate standing at the University of California, Riverside. Requirements for admission to the graduate program in Biology include holding a B.A. or B.S. degree in Biology or a related discipline, although majors in other fields (e.g., biochemistry, chemistry, physics) are acceptable if their basic preparation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics is deemed adequate. Recent Graduate Record Examination scores for both the general and subject tests are required for all applicants. Basic preparation in science (usually part of an undergraduate major in Biology) should include calculus, inorganic and organic chemistry, and physics. The Master of Science Program The UCR Biology Department offers a Master's Degree based on research; we do not offer a 'coursework' M.S. degree. Students accepted into the M.S. program should, in the first year, take basic course work in Cell and Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or Physiology, and also plan and begin a research project. By the end of the second quarter, the student should select a faculty research sponsor and prepare a brief description of the proposed research. The research sponsor need not have been an original member of the Guidance Committee, but once chosen becomes the chair. Research should be initiated in the third quarter, and students should register for Biology 297, Directed Research. Twenty-four units of course work in graduate courses (200 series) in biological sciences, of which at least 12 must be courses other than 290-299. Students in the Cell and Molecular Biology specialization must include Biology 200 and 201. The remaining 12 units can be taken either in the 100 or 200 series. Enrollment is expected in Biology 252 seminar and the 265 "lunch bunch" for all students during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. It is generally advisable to concentrate on formal course work during the first year and on research in the second year. Thesis preparation should begin no later than the beginning of spring quarter in the second year. Presentation of an acceptable thesis and final oral defense of theses are required of every candidate for the M.S. degree. In the third quarter of residence, the student must meet with the Guidance Committee to discuss progress in the M.S. program. The Chair of the Guidance Committee shall prepare a brief report for the faculty of the specialization. All evaluations will be reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee, which is responsible for making specific recommendations to the Graduate Division concerning student progress. The Ph.D. Program The Ph.D. degree requires demonstration of broad knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or Physiology, and substantive ability in original research. The general requirements are the same for each specialization (except for course requirements) and include (in approximate chronological order): completion of basic course work (courses) completion of one year of teaching (a minimum of three quarters of service as a Teaching Assistant) passing the Written Qualifying Examination (instructions) preparation of an original research proposal passing the Oral Qualifying Examination completion of research and preparation of the Ph.D. Dissertation itself successful defense of the Dissertation through a final Oral Examination. The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. degree requirements is six years, but students are strongly encouraged to complete the requirements within five years. During the first two years, emphasis is on course work and reading in preparation for Written and Oral qualifying examinations. The final two or three years are devoted primarily to research and to the writing and defense of the Dissertation, although students continue to participate in graduate seminars and may take additional coursework during this period. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. in Biology. The Ph.D. qualifying procedure requires satisfactory completion of the written qualifying examination, preparation of a research proposal, and an oral qualifying examination. The written qualifying examination is a comprehensive examination in the field of specialization. It is given in Spring and is normally taken in the student's sixth quarter of residence (students who have entered the Ph.D. program with a Master's degree normally take the examination during the third quarter of residence). Following successful completion of the written examination, a Ph.D. Qualifying Committee is nominated by the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the student and prospective Chair of the Dissertation Committee (Major Professor). The Committee must include one faculty member outside the Department of Biology and the faculty of the graduate specialization. The Qualifying Committee cannot include the student's Major Professor, and is subject to the approval of the Graduate Dean. The Qualifying Committee evaluates the Research Proposal and conducts the Oral Examination. The research proposal is a description of a research project prepared in the format of an NSF or NIH grant proposal. The main purpose of the proposal is to evaluate the student's ability to identify meaningful research problems and find solutions for them. Work on the proposal and preliminary experiments may begin at any time but the final proposal should be submitted before the beginning of the third year. The Oral Examination is conducted by the student's Qualifying Committee and may cover any material relevant to the interest and goals of the student, especially those in the student's area of research specialization. After successful completion of the Oral Examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. and the Dissertation Committee is formally appointed. Research leading to the Ph.D. degree is carried out under the supervision of the Dissertation Committee. This Committee consists of the Major Professor and two other faculty members selected on the basis of their ability to guide the research and writing of the dissertation. It is the responsibility of this Committee to decide when data of sufficient quality and quantity have been gathered to demonstrate proficiency in independent research. The format of the dissertation is somewhat flexible (e.g., it may be a formally prepared 'stand-alone' document or a collection of autonomous research papers with appropriate introductory and summary sections), but must meet with the approval of the Graduate Division and the Dissertation Committee. The final Oral Examination includes a public formal presentation (seminar) on the dissertation research. The candidate will be responsible for defending the dissertation in response to questions from the Dissertation Committee and other faculty and students. Following the public seminar and question period, the candidate may be requested to meet with the Dissertation Committee to answer additional questions and discuss modifications of the dissertation. Once the Committee is satisfied with the dissertation, and it is filed with the Graduate Division, all requirements for the Ph.D. will have been met. Progress Evaluation For both M.S. and Ph.D. students, evaluations of progress are carried out each year by the faculty of each specialization, or a committee thereof. All evaluations are reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee which is responsible for making specific recommendations to the Graduate Division concerning the student's progress. It is also the responsibility of the Graduate Advisory Committee to recommend exceptions to the normal time schedule occasioned by unusual circumstances. The student is notified in writing of the results of the annual evaluation and a copy is forwarded to the Graduate Division. Application Information Inquiries about the graduate program in Biology may be addressed to: Biological Sciences Graduate Student Affairs Center 1001 Batchelor Hall University of California Riverside, CA 92521 Phone: (951) 827-4716 or (800) 735-0717 Fax: (951) 827-5517 biograd@pop.ucr.edu Students must apply on-line at: http://www.bioscigrad.ucr.edu The application process includes: a completed electronic application form a statement of purpose. submission of GRE scores (general and subject) a $60 filing fee official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions three (or more) letters of recommendation from academic personnel. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and whose first language is not English must also submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score with the formal application. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for admission. Applications are generally reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee within a month after the completed application is received by the graduate secretary. Students are then notified of the Committee's decision. In some instances, the prospective student is invited to interview with the faculty before a final decision is made. To ensure maximum consideration, completed applications should be received no later than January 5. Later applications may be considered if additional openings in the graduate program become available. The Program welcomes early applications. Occasionally, the Program is able to consider Ph.D. applications as late as June; however, these applicants run the risk that the limited number of openings -- especially for funding -- will have been filled by that time. Updated 30 Jan. 2008 by T.G.
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