The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology Program has as its intellectual focus
a synthesis of the molecular and integrative bases of biomedical sciences and
related biotechnology. The program draws upon the strengths of faculty in
multiple departments and is intended to serve students with interests in
conducting research in a clinical setting, industry, and academia. The program's
area of concentration represents a field where a strong national need is
emerging. Graduates of the program at UNC Charlotte should be
well versed in quantitative approaches to biology. The interdisciplinary
makeup of the program is designed to produce graduates who will be able to
integrate the strengths of more than one discipline in solving biological problems.
In addition to a vigorous research concentration,
all students will take a series of core courses
that will stress the interdisciplinary nature of the program (see curriculum). These courses will expose students to current issues in the biological,
chemical, physical, and engineering aspects of biotechnology and to the ethical
implications of biomedical and biotechnological research. The total amount of
course work required for the program will depend on the background of the
student, and will be established by the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology
Committee and the student's Dissertation Committee.
The cornerstone of the doctoral program is the
research dissertation. Each dissertation is expected to be a significant
scientific contribution based on independent and original research, leading to
publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals.
It is expected that the program will provide a
teaching assistantship (TA) to students
in their first two years and that a student's advisor will obtain research funds
for a research assistantship (RA) for subsequent years. Regardless, TA support ($18,000/yr
) for eligible PhD student (TA
eligibility requirements) will be guaranteed
for four years. Awards for
additional years will be based upon individual student situations and available
funds. Every eligible student also receives a tuition waiver and health
insurance.
