Degree Requirements
PhD in Biology
The PhD in Biology is a research degree requiring graduate-level coursework, completion of a dissertation, and two semesters of participation in teaching (usually as a teaching fellow in laboratory or discussion sections of lecture courses led by biology faculty). For most students, this typically involves five or more years of full-time study. The Biology Department guarantees academic year support for five years for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.
Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree complete the equivalent of 16 full-semester courses with a B or better grade point average. At least eight of these courses are lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses; students enroll in directed research for the remaining credits. For students admitted with a master’s degree, the requirement is eight full-semester courses, of which four are lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. Seminars generally count for half a course; thus two are required to replace a full-semester course.
Details of the graduate curriculum are planned in consultation with the major professor and advisory committee. Certain core courses are required in the Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology programs, with the remaining courses chosen as electives. For more details, see the individual graduate program areas: 1) Cell and Molecular Biology, 2) Neurobiology, 3) Ecology, Behavior & Evolution, or 4) Marine Biology. With departmental approval, a student may register for courses at the Boston University School of Medicine or School of Public Health and may cross-register for graduate-level courses at Boston College, Brandeis University, and Tufts University. Visit the GRS Bulletin to view procedures for cross-registration.
The Biology Department does not require mastery of a foreign language for the PhD, but students involved in international fieldwork may be encouraged to complete language training.
MA in Biology
The Department of Biology offers both research and non-research MA degree programs. The non-research MA can be completed in a year and a summer, whereas the research MA typically requires two years to complete a research project and thesis. In both programs, students are assigned to a faculty advisor in their area of interest at the time of acceptance. The Biology Department does not guarantee financial support for MA students.
In either MA program, students complete eight semester courses with a B or better grade point average. For the non-research degree, all courses must be lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. In addition, the student completes a review paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor. For the research degree, at least five courses must be lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. The remaining courses may be satisfied by research credits.
BA/MA in Biotechnology
The BA/MA program in biotechnology is a five-year program open to Boston University undergraduates. Students earn both degrees by completing a total of 38 courses that comprise many of the elements of standard degree programs in biology and chemistry, augmented by advanced-level courses in recombinant DNA techniques, molecular cell biology, and protein technology. View a more detailed description of the program on the GRS Bulletin website. Further information may also be obtained from the Undergraduate Programs Coordinator for the Department of Biology.
Grad Students
Derek Stefanik works with Dr. John Finnerty reseacrching the regeneration in the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. Dr. Finnerty is in the graduate Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution program.
Katie Faust Stryjewski works with Dr. Michael Sorenson in the area of avian ecology and behavior. Dr. Sorenson is in the graduate Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution program.
Cassidy D'Aloia is interested in marine metapopulation dynamics and applied marine conservation research and works with Dr. Peter Buston. She is a part of the graduate Marine Biology program.
Benjamin H. C. Carr is analyzing the long-term dynamics of marine ecosystems in the Northwest Atlantic and works with Dr. Les Kaufman. He is a part of the graduate Marine Biology program.
Andrew Reinmann's research is focused on quantifying the role of winter climate change in carbon storage in temperate forests. He works with Dr. Pamela Templer and is a part of the graduate Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution program.
Marie Jordan is studying at the interface between organic chemistry and biology, with an emphasis on DNA mutagenesis. She works in Dr. David Waxman's lab and is a part of the graduate Cell and Molecular Biology program.
Iker Etchegaray is studying phagocytosis in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaste. He works with Dr. Kim McCall as a part of the graduate Neurobiology program.
Eva Fast has been studying the study how Wolbachia, obligate intracellular bacteria, get transmitted vertically through the female germline of insects. She works with Dr. Horacio Frydman as a part of the graduate Neurobiology program.
Gloria DeWalt is a Masters candidate currently researching traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the laboratory of Dr. William Eldred. Dr. Eldred is a part of the graduate Neurobiology program.