Graduate Studies

Program

Admission

Admission is restricted to initial enrollment in the fall quarter of each academic year. Applicants must submit a completed application form, copies of all postsecondary transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and results of the Graduate Record Examination General Test and the Subject Test in Biology. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required of all applicants whose primary language is not English. Foreign applicants wishing to be considered for a first-year teaching assistant appointment must also submit results for the Test of Spoken English.

Applications for admissions can be obtained through the Office of Graduate Studies home page. Applications and all supporting documents must be received by January 15 for admission the following fall quarter. Applicants are strongly encouraged to correspond directly with faculty who are conducting research in their areas of interest.

Programs

Students may be admitted for either a Masters or PhD.

Course Work

A committee of faculty meets with all new students and recommends course assignments for their first year of graduate study. Course work consists of a one-year sequence of core courses, including graduate-level courses in organismal biology, ecology, evolution, and quantitative methods; a grant writing class; a variety of advanced courses; and seminars (see the Graduate Course Listing ). Except for the required core courses, the curriculum is tailored individually to the professional goals of each student.

Graduate students are encouraged to spend one or more academic terms at another institution ( U.S. or foreign) to broaden their education. UCI is a member of the Organization for Tropical Studies, and graduate students are encouraged to participate in this program.

Research

All entering graduate students choose a three-member Advisory Committee during their first year of study, in consultation with their Graduate Advisor and their probable Dissertation Advisor. Selection of a Dissertation Advisor should be accomplished by the end of the first year of residency. Students meet with their Advisory Committee twice each year to review progress and plan for the future. During the first year (for MS students or PhD students entering with a Master's degree) or second year of residency for all others, graduate students present a written research proposal to the Advisory Committee for approval.

General Comprehensive Examination

During the beginning of the fall quarter of the second year of their residency, students take a general written comprehensive examination, which is administered by a designated faculty committee. This examination covers the three general areas of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology.

Master's Degree

The Master's degree is attained by thesis only. A minimum course requirement of 28 quarter units in approved courses is required in addition to the thesis, at least 20 of which must be earned in 200 series graduate-level courses exclusive of credit given for thesis research and preparation.

A committee of three faculty members shall approve the subject and pass on the content of the thesis. The student will meet and discuss with the members of the committee the research and the form in which the thesis is to be written. Following the committee's acceptance of the basic content of the thesis, the candidate will give a public seminar, followed by a final closed conference between the candidate and the thesis committee.

Advancement to Candidacy Examination for PhD

Advancement to candidacy is contingent upon passing an oral examination administered by a committee consisting of five members, including two extra-departmental members, one of whom is often from another campus. The Dissertation Advisor serves as chair of the committee. The oral examination covers the student's major field of specialization, the proposed dissertation research, and other areas of biology. In general, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of one major area and two minor areas, as approved by their Advisory Committee. The examination may be scheduled after all requirements aside from the dissertation research have been completed.

Dissertation and Final Examination for the PhD

After students advance to candidacy, a three-member Doctoral Dissertation Committee supervises the remainder of their program, primarily the completion of their research and preparation of their dissertation. Students meet with the Committee at various times to discuss their research and the form in which their dissertation is to be written. The Doctoral Dissertation Committee consists of the Dissertation Advisor and at least one other member of the Department. Representation on this committee by other departments or other universities is encouraged. When the basic content of the dissertation has been accepted, the Doctoral Committee supervises the final examination, which consists of a public seminar and a closed conference between the candidate and the Doctoral Committee. Students are expected to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. within six full academic years.