Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate School Course Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate School Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Integrated Biosciences, PhD


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Overview


Dr. Antonio Baines, Program Director

2253 Mary M. Townes Sciences Complex

Telephone Number:  (919) 530-6542

Email:  abaines@nccu.edu

 

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Integrated Biosciences (INBS) program was designed specifically to train students at the doctoral level to solve complex problems using the most cutting edge concepts in biology, biomedical, computational, and pharmaceutical sciences.  This program provides students from different disciplinary backgrounds with a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to the study of diseases associated with health disparity.Students can be mentored by faculty from three different departments in the College of Arts and Sciences: Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.”

The INBS program provides students from varying degree discipline backgrounds with a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to the study of health disparity issues.  Presently, students may choose from one of two (2) tracks - Biomedical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences.  The biomedical sciences concentration is designed for students with backgrounds and interests in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related disciplines.  The pharmaceutical sciences concentration is designed for students with backgrounds and interests in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, biochemistry or related disciplines.  All students will participate in a unique core curriculum consisting of an integrated approach to addressing human diseases associated with disparate health issues, responsible conduct of research, communication and problem solving, and research techniques.

I. Admission Requirements


Students may enter the program with a B.S. or M.S. degree in an area of biology, biomedical, pharmaceutical sciences or related area. A Master’s degree is not required for this program however having past research experience is strongly encouraged.Applicants need have taken a minimum of one semester of Calculus I, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry with an overall GPA of 3.0 to be given strong consideration.

Applicants to the PhD in Integrated Biosciences program must submit:

  1. Official Transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate studies. 
  2. GRE scores, less than 5 years old, to be considered within the context of all materials in the application.
  3. A statement of purpose and a resume.
  4. A minimum of three letters of recommendations are required from individuals who are knowledgeable of the student’s academic acumen and abilities to complete the PhD degree in Integrated Biosciences.

II. Program Requirements


Domain / Elective Courses in the Integrated Biosciences 8000 level curriculum-6 hours


Domain courses support the area of research specialty and are decided upon by student and research advisor.  Two courses, 6 credit hours, are required to identify the students’ chosen track, Biomedical or Pharmaceutical, and are considered the domain courses.  Students may elect to take additional course to provide additional foundational skills and knowledge for their research, these are considered elective courses. Appropriate courses available from Duke University, NC State, or UNC Chapel Hill as available through the Inter-institutional exchange program may also be used.  Selections should be made with approval from the Program Director and/or the research advisor. These courses are selected from the available 8000 level courses.  Typical selections have been:

Research Courses - (minimum 46 hours)


Research courses are taken at different levels.

Total Credit - 75 Hours


III. Exit Requirements


  1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required.  A grade of “B” or better must be earned in the required core and domain courses.  An overall 3.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the program.
  2. At least 75 credit hours are required for program completion 12 credit hours of core course work, 11-15 credit hours of addtional required courses, 6 credit hours of domain/electives.    2 credits lab rotations,  and 9 credits hours of Doctoral Supervised Research 32 credit hours of Doctoral Research and 3 credits of Dissertation Preparation. Requests for transfer of graduate credit hours must be submitted to the Graduate School and will be considered on a case-by-cae basis. 
  3. Successful completion of a two-part Qualifying Examination consisting of five written sections and an oral section is required.
  4. At least one manuscript on the dissertation research submitted to a professional journal in the field of study.
  5. Successful completion of the dissertation including a public oral defense.

Curriculum Plan for Ph.D. in Integrated Biosciences


Note:


Doctoral Dissertation Defense Scheduled as recommended by PhD Thesis Advisor

Additional Requirements:


All PhD students are required to participant in the NCCU Responsible Conduct of Research Professional Development series . All PhD students are required also to participant in the Grant Proposal Writing Workshop(s), Student bimonthly meetings, and Professional Development event both on and off campus.

**Students are free to take additional graduate elective courses in multidisciplinary areas of their interest, subject to approval by their research mentor and INBS program director.

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