Marine Biology Ph.D.

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Minimum Requirements for Marine Biology Ph.D.: 18 thesis credits

Students must earn a B- grade or better in the M.S. lecture-based core courses of the degree program before being eligible to complete the qualifying exam required for this program.

Credits
General University Requirements
Complete the graduate general university requirements.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Complete the Ph.D. degree requirements.18
As part of the Ph.D. requirements, complete the following:
MBI F699
Thesis (18 credits)
Marine Biology Program Requirements
Complete coursework at least equivalent to that required for the M.S. degree.
Total Credits18

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Admission Requirements

Complete the following general university admission requirements for graduate programs.

  1. Submit an application for admission
  2. Submit official transcripts
  3. Official test results: GRE scores are required for this program
  4. Submit resume/curriculum vitae
  5. Submit statement of academic goals
  6. Submit 3 letters of recommendation

International Students: Please consult UAF’s most recent application requirements regarding English language proficiency.

Additional program admission requirements and information:

  • Complete a master’s degree in Marine Biology or related field or meet the requirements as outlined below to be accepted directly into a Ph.D. program without a master’s degree

Admission to Marine Biology Ph.D. program directly from bachelor’s program:

Entering graduate students whose highest earned degree is the baccalaureate are normally admitted as Master of Science students. However, exceptionally able and accomplished students in this category are eligible for direct admission to the Ph.D. program. Criteria for direct admission to the Ph.D. program from the baccalaureate are:

  1. Endorsement by proposed chair of graduate advisory committee AND
  2. At least one first-authored manuscript published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal

Students who elect this route must fulfill course requirements as outlined for both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Applicants who do not meet these criteria may enter the graduate program as M.S. candidates, and in exceptional cases may petition for conversion to the Ph.D. program after advancement to candidacy (for the M.S.) and submission of one thesis chapter for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Such petitions must be approved both by the student’s current (M.S.) and proposed (Ph.D.) advisory committee and the department chair.

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Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.
First Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MBI F615203MBI F610203Program Elective - Field Course2
MBI F699183MBI F699183 
OCN F650203General Elective2 
 9 8 2
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MBI F699183MBI F699183 
Program Elective3Program Elective2 
 6 5 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MBI F699183MBI F699183 
 3 3 
Total Credits 36

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

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Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Be competent scientists, and adequately prepared to succeed in the job market in their chosen field
  • Be prepared to teach marine sciences at an academic institution
  • Have excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Have mastery of the core knowledge of marine science, and be an expert in the subject area of their thesis
  • Be capable of accomplishing rigorous scientific research