PhD in BIODEFENSE

In the fall 2007 semester the Biodefense program will be administered by the Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA). This will produce little to no change for students currently enrolled in the program. Current students will be allowed to follow the program outlined in the university catalog that was in effect at the time of their admission to the program, so long as that catalog is not more than six years old

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THE BIODEFENSE PROGRAM DOES NOT ADMIT IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER SEMESTERS.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST IN THE BIODEFENSE PROGRAM.

All students are required to earn 72 credit hours that consist of core courses, seminar courses, advanced Biodefense courses, electives, and a dissertation.

The 9 minimum credits of advanced Biodefense courses for this degree must be classroom-based courses. Independent study credits, such as internships and directed studies, are allowed beyond the minimum 9 that are required in coursework.

For students entering the doctoral program with an M.S. or other graduate degree, the 72 credits required may be reduced by a maximum of 30 credits, depending on the field of the graduate work. The credit reduction would eliminate the need for a corresponding number of elective credits.

PhD Course Outline

PhD--holding an advanced degree and being granted a 30-credit reduction
12 credits of core courses
2-4 credits of seminar courses
9-16 credits of advanced BIOD courses
0-7+ credits of electives--certainly permissible, but not necessary
12-24 credits of proposal/dissertation

PhD--working from a bachelor's degree
12 credits of core courses
2-4 credits of seminar courses
9-46 credits of advanced BIOD courses
0-37 credits of electives
12-24 credits of proposal/dissertation

Application Considerations
Preparation for the Ph.D. program in Biodefense should include a BA, BS, MA, or MS in a related field. Students without a background in life sciences may be required to satisfy prerequisite courses prior to the required graduate courses.

Consideration for admission to the program requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the applicant’s last 60 credits, plus satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE requirement is waived if the applicant has a master's degree.

Applicants who meet these minimum criteria will be considered for admission to the program on the further basis of work or laboratory experience, letters of recommendations, and other relevant credentials. In any given year actual admissions will be determined in part by available funding for the program, with individual candidates selected by an admission committee. No specific set of qualifications guarantees admission to the program.

PhD Process Sequence

Biodefense Course Descriptions

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