Doctor of Philosophy

The Oral Biology Ph.D. program usually requires five years. Students are expected to devote the full twelve-month year to their graduate work (allowing time for vacation and holidays). Graduate students will have the opportunity to assist in the teaching program of the department as a practical means of gaining experience in the presentation of lectures and laboratory work.

Courses

The course requirement is a minimum of 90 credits (including at least 27 credits of thesis). Through their coursework, students are expected to gain proficiency in one or more basic biologic sciences and to master modern biological approaches in addition to gaining expertise in the subject area of oral and craniofacial sciences. At least 15 credit hours must come from science courses in departments other than Oral Biology. These will include courses offered through the Molecular and Cell Biology Program and courses selected to match the basic science interests of the student. Cross-disciplinary training in Bioengineering is also available. All graduate students are also expected to attend and participate in departmental seminars (ORALB 575).

Path to Ph.D

The Following is an approximate timeline for completion of the Ph.D. degree. Because each student's program and research goals will vary, completion of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree may not necessarily follow this timeline.

Year 1

All new students meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator before the start of classes in the Autumn Quarter to consider the student's course work. The selection of courses will depend on the student's background, research goals, and interests.

All new students meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator before the start of classes in the Autumn Quarter to consider the student's course work. The selection of courses will depend on the student's background, research goals, and interests.

During each quarter of the first year of graduate study, the student will register for ORALB 578, Research Techniques. The purpose of this course is for students to carry out research projects in the laboratories of several faculty members in order to prepare for the choice of their Ph.D. project mentor and to learn a variety of research methods. Each student is expected to take 2-3 rotations in different laboratories and select a research mentor by the end of the 1st year.

Year 2

Students will continue to take courses that will include the remainder of the core courses required in Oral Biology and courses in other disciplines relevant to the student's dissertation research.

Students are encouraged to take elective courses offered through the Medical Education and Graduate School which will help them in their future teaching careers. Also, beginning in the second year, graduate students will have the opportunity to take part in teaching one of the Department courses for undergraduate dental students. This experience prepares students for teaching responsibilities after receipt of the Ph.D. and provides a good opportunity for consolidation of the student's general oral biology background.

Early in the second year of study, the student is expected to choose a thesis adviser and to define a dissertation problem.

Once a thesis mentor and research direction have been chosen, the student and mentor will select a Supervisory Committee. This should be done in year two or by the third year at the latest. The committee is composed of at least four faculty members, at least three of whom (Including the Chair and the Graduate School Representative) must be members of the Graduate Faculty with an endorsement to chair doctoral committees. The Graduate Program Coordinator will forward the list of recommended committee members to the Dean of the Graduate School who will officially appoint the Supervisory Committee. In accordance with Graduate School regulations, the Supervisory Committee will be responsible for advising and directing the student through the Ph.D. program.

Year 3

By the end of the third year, the student will take the General Examination. This examination is in the format of a written research grant proposal that is presented to the Ph.D. supervisory committee.  All required coursework must be completed at this time. The purposes of this examination are (1) to determine whether the student is capable of recognizing an important research question in oral and craniofacial sciences, (2) to determine whether the student is able to develop this question into a comprehensive proposal complete with preliminary findings and suggested methods of procedure, and to orally defend the proposal, and (3) to provide the student an opportunity to receive feedback from the Supervisory Committee on the proposed research project.

Year 3 to Completion

The student will primarily engage in thesis research and additional advanced coursework.

When the candidate has completed the research project, written the dissertation, and had it approved by the reading committee, the mentor will obtain approval from the Graduate School and set a date for the Final Examination. The Final Examination will be concerned principally with the subject matter of the dissertation and is conducted as an open seminar followed by examination by the Supervisory Committee.

The research project for the Ph.D. dissertation will be chosen by the candidate and adviser and be approved by the candidate's Supervisory Committee. The research must represent a worthy and fundamental contribution showing originality in concept and implementation.

Courses

Contacts