Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree is primarily a research degree, and our doctoral program is designed to foster and nurture creative and independent research. Ph.D. students generally perform rotating research projects (about 10 weeks each) in three laboratories during their first academic year. The choice of a major professor is made by mutual agreement at the end of spring semester of the first year. Required courses in the Ph.D. program are chosen by the student and their thesis committee to meet individual needs.  Generally four lecture courses (usually three credits each) are required along with three seminar courses (usually one or two credits each), a teaching methods class (one credit), and a research ethics workshop or class. 

Course requirements and descriptions can be found on registrar's website, and additional information about elective classes can be found here. 

The comprehensive examination for candidacy to the Ph.D. consists of the written preparation and oral defense of a research proposal on the student’s doctoral research. The comprehensive examinations are generally completed by the end of the second year. In addition, 24 credits of research and one year of residence are required for the Ph.D. degree. Typically, the full Ph.D. program requires about five years to complete (assuming entry with a B.S. and no previous graduate experience).

Please email our Director of Graduate Studies with any further questions.