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Ph.D. Program

The philosophy of the PhD program, along with the Affiliated Ph.D. Program with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, is to provide world-class research training in the basic biological sciences to equip a diverse group of trainees for a variety of scientific careers ranging from academia and industry to education, communication, or policy. Core principles of the program are to be student centered and attuned to the goals of the trainee.

The core curriculum focuses on development of core competencies and transferable skills in critical thinking, communication, and leadership. The first year prepares students for the core of the PhD program, the development of intellectual independence and creativity through original thesis research, guided by a thesis advisor and committee. Students have a high degree of flexibility in choice of thesis advisor through the rotation program. Throughout the program, there is strong emphasis on engaged mentoring through regular committee meetings, annual reports and Individual Development Plans.

As a central hub of the thriving San Diego biosciences community, the program maintains strong partnerships with other campus units and programs through joint faculty appointments, organized research units, and research collaborations, enabling a wide range of interdisciplinary opportunities . The mission is to conduct leading edge research in the basic biological sciences.

Major areas of research include structural biology, cell biology, developmental biology, neurobiology and neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, virology, plant biology, ecology, evo-devo, and evolutionary biology.

Research in the School has emphasized studies using model organisms or in vitro mechanistic approaches, with human studies and clinical research concentrated in other departments or in the Health Sciences. Current and future areas of growth include quantitative biology, data science, and the biological consequences of climate change.

Rigor, reproducibility, and responsibility as hallmarks of high-quality science
Commitment to quality mentorships, student mental health, and well-being
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as integral to program admissions and retention
Open science practices valuing multiple research outputs and holistic assessment of scholarly excellence
Communication and outreach as key aspects of scientific training

As a doctoral program embedded in a large undergraduate instructional unit, our approach incorporates substantial training in teaching methodology and best practices. Our philosophy remains that teaching and research are interdependent facets of engaged scholarship.

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Biology Education Research

Students wearing goggles in a laboratory are engaged in a scientific experiment.

The focus of this concentration is research on learning and instruction specific to the discipline of biology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Researchers in this group study how students learn biological concepts and practices, the development of disciplinary identities and values, the influence of curriculum and instruction on learning, and the intersection between biology learning and issues of equity and social justice. Research in this concentration involves collaboration between education researchers and faculty in the Biology Department. Sites of study include biology lecture or lab courses or sites of biology learning outside of classroom contexts.

Faculty Mentors

Julia Gouvea Mitch McVey Eric Tytell Lawrence Uricchio Ben Wolfe

Faculty Advisor for this Concentration

Julia Gouvea

Suggested program of study and appropriate courses, course options and starting the phd track.

Our general philosophy regarding coursework is that you take only classes that you need to pick up skills that are important to your research. The basic requirements for the first two years of the Ph.D. program are described below. Optional coursework will include courses in Biology and in Education as relevant and appropriate. Examples of optional courses are listed below, but ultimately, the decision about what additional elective classes to take will be up to you and your committee.

Two research Rotations (PhD students only, 1 rotation per semester); research rotations are registered as courses (Bio 253, Bio 254) – they are generally done with faculty in the Biology Department, but mentors outside the department can also be enlisted.
First year that you are a teaching assistant: All students that are Teaching Assistants are required to take Pedagogy (Bio 260)

Year 1 or 2

Two advanced graduate-level seminars in Biology (100 or 200-level)
STEM Education Program Seminar (ED 222/223)
Two electives in Education

Optional Courses

Biology department courses.

Developmental Biology (Bio 103)
Molecular Biology (Bio 105)
Endocrinology (Bio 110)
Physiology of Movement (Bio 117)
Animal Behavior (Bio 130)
Biostatistics (Bio132)
Ecology of Animal Movement (Bio 135)
Population and Community Ecology (Bio 142)
Evolutionary Biology w/lab (Bio 143)
Principles of Conservation Biology (Bio 144)
Computational Laboratory in Population Genomics (Bio 145)
Darwinian Medicine Seminar (Bio 183)
Food for All: Ecology, Biotechnology and Sustainability (Bio 185)
Seminar in Molecular Evolution (Bio 196)

Courses in Other Departments

Development Of Knowledge And Reasoning In The Science Curriculum (ED 111)
Human Development And Learning (ED 130)
Philosophies (ED 163)
Critical Race Theory (ED 167)
Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces (ED 172)
Technological Tools For Learning (ED 182)
Resource-based Models of Learning in STEM Disciplines (ED 214)
Qualitative And Ethnographic Methods In Applied Social Science Research (CSHD 144)