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The biological sciences have a long and distinguished history in San Diego. UC San Diego was established in 1960 and the Department of Biology was founded the same year. After growing to 70 faculty, the Department of Biology was reorganized in 2000 into the Division of Biological Sciences, with four department-like academic Sections and a centralized administration. The Division is responsible for one of the largest instructional programs at UCSD, comprising ~5600 undergraduate majors, ~210 PhD students, and ~200 MS students as of Fall 2019.
The Salk Institute was founded in 1960 by Jonas Edward Salk, who developed one of the first Polio vaccines, and is one of the world’s premier independent biomedical research institutes. Research at the Salk focuses on six study areas: aging and regenerative medicine, cancer biology, immune system biology, metabolism and diabetes, neuroscience and neurological disorders, and plant biology. The Salk faculty comprises 53 group leaders, most of whom hold adjunct appointments in the Division: 14 adjunct faculty in Molecular Biology, 11 in Neurobiology, and 9 in Cell and Developmental Biology.
Students in the Biological Sciences PhD program are able to rotate and conduct research with faculty in any of these sections on the main campus and their adjunct faculty at the Salk Institute. Our division has a collaborative culture and many PIs have ongoing collaborations with others between sections, across campus, and around the world!
Faculty in the Cell and Developmental Biology Section (CDB; 32 faculty + 9 Salk adjunct) study fundamental mechanisms in cell and developmental biology, using a wide range of plant and animal model systems. This section includes nine faculty focused on plant biology and 20 who use a variety of animal model systems. Current programmatic emphases include evolutionary developmental biology, the cell biology of host-pathogen interactions, regenerative biology and stem cells, systems biology, and gene drive based genetic engineering.
Faculty in the Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution Section (EBE; 15 faculty) addresses the biology of populations and communities as they relate to their environment. Current areas of programmatic emphasis include behavioral ecology, the biology of coastal and marine environments, and the biotic effects of global environmental change. A group of faculty also focus on experimental evolution and mathematical modeling of the emergent properties of living systems.
Molecular Biology is the largest section (MB; 39 faculty + 14 Salk adjunct) and covers a wide range of major fields including structural biology, gene expression at the DNA and RNA levels, microbiology, cancer biology, immunology, and virology. Recent programmatic emphases include the Quantitative Biology program (jointly with Physics and including faculty from multiple sections) and cryo-EM based structural biology.
Faculty in the Neurobiology Section (NB; 28 faculty + 11 Salk adjunct) address a wide range of neurobiological questions ranging from molecular, cellular, and developmental neurobiology to systems neurobiology and circuit function. Recent areas of programmatic emphasis include the circuit basis of behavior, computational neurobiology, and the mechanistic basis of neural diseases.
PhD Overview (1).pdfSummary program timelines
Summary program timelines
The normative time to PhD degree in Biology in the United States is 5.0 to 6.0 years and the UCSD limit on doctoral enrollment is 7 years. The median time to defense is 5.8 years (updated 2019), with ~87% of students graduating by their 6th year.
Click on the dropdowns below to explore summary program timelines.
Non-EBE Students (CDB; MB; NB)
Non-EBE Students (CDB; MB; NB)
YEAR 1
YEAR 1
Participate in Boot Camp (BGGN 208)
Participate in the Orientation Seminar “Graduate School Fundamentals” (BGGN 200)
Complete Core Course Sequence, including CORE I and CORE II (Concepts of Reasoning and Experimentation; 2 courses), Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, and Communications.
Conduct Four Laboratory Rotations
Select Thesis Advisor and begin Thesis Research
Take Comprehensive Exam by June 30 of Year 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 2
Continue Thesis Research
Participate and present in the Graduate Research Seminar (BGSE 205)
Complete Elective Courses
Participate in the Scientific Ethics Course (BGGN 207)
Fulfill first of three Instructional Apprentice Teaching Experiences (BGGN 500) (recommended lecture)
Select Core Doctoral Committee (‘Thesis Committee’)
Schedule Thesis Proposition Examination by June 30 of Year 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 3
Continue Thesis Research
Participate and present in Graduate Research Seminar (BGSE 205)
Fulfill second of three Apprentice Teaching Experiences (recommended lab)
Select remaining members of Doctoral Committee and advance to Candidacy by June 30 of Year 3, OR:
Conduct annual Evaluation Meeting with Core Doctoral Committee
YEAR 4
YEAR 4
Continue Thesis Research
Present a poster during the Divisional Retreat
Participate and present in Graduate Research Seminar (BGSE 205)
Fulfill last of three Apprentice Teaching Experiences (choice of lecture or lab)
If not advanced in Year 3, select remaining members of Doctoral Committee and advance to Candidacy by June 30 of Year 4, OR
If advanced in Year 3, conduct annual Evaluation Meeting with Final Doctoral Committee
YEAR 5
YEAR 5
Complete Thesis Research
Conduct Pre-Defense Thesis Evaluation Meeting at annual meeting with Final Doctoral Committee
Prepare Doctoral Dissertation (written thesis)
Defend Thesis
EBE Students
EBE Students
Note: EBE students must fulfill a minimum of three Instructional Apprentice Teaching Experiences during their first four years. They may also teach additional courses for financial support, but this follows separate guidelines.
YEAR 1
YEAR 1
Contact probable Thesis Advisor at start of Orientation in September
Participate in Boot Camp (BGGN 208)
Participate in the Orientation Seminar “Graduate School Fundamentals” (BGGN 200)
Complete two electives, typically Topics in EBE (BGGN 203) and Topics in Community & Population Ecology (BGGN 204)
Conduct four 6-wk laboratory rotations in at least two different laboratories
Attend weekly EBE seminar series
Optional: Begin serving as a Graduate Instructional Apprentice or Teaching Assistant
Take EBE Comprehensive Exam by June 30 of Year 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 2
Continue Thesis Research
Participate and present in the Graduate Research Seminar (BGSE 205)
Attend weekly EBE seminar series
Participate in the Scientific Ethics Course (BGGN 207)
Fulfill required/optional Instructional Apprentice Teaching Experiences
Select Core Doctoral Committee (‘Thesis Committee’)
Complete Second Year Proposal Examination by July 31 of Year 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 3
Continue Thesis Research
Participate and present in Graduate Research Seminar (BGSE 205)
Attend weekly EBE seminar series
Fulfill required/optional Instructional Apprentice Teaching Experiences
Select remaining members of Doctoral Committee and advance to Candidacy by June 30 of Year 3, OR:
Conduct annual Evaluation Meeting with Core Doctoral Committee
YEAR 4
YEAR 4
Continue Thesis Research
Present a poster during the Divisional Retreat
Participate and present in Graduate Research Seminar (BGSE 205)
Attend weekly EBE seminar series
Fulfill required/optional Instructional Apprentice Teaching Experiences
If not advanced in Year 3, select remaining members of Doctoral Committee and advance to Candidacy by June 30 of Year 4, OR
If advanced in Year 3, conduct annual Evaluation Meeting with Final Doctoral Committee
YEAR 5
YEAR 5
Complete Thesis Research
Conduct Pre-Defense Thesis Evaluation Meeting at annual meeting with Final Doctoral Committee
Prepare Doctoral Dissertation (written thesis)
Defend Thesis
Curricular Tracks
Curricular Tracks
Students pick a curricular track their first and second year based on what electives they want to take. Students must take a minimum of 2 elective courses (4 credits each), but some curricular tracks require additional core coursework. Tracks do not necessarily indicate your research section and do not prohibit students from taking other electives; they simply indicate your specialization. Click here for more on curricular tracks.
Curricular tracks include:
Curricular tracks include:
Primary (Cell, Molecular, Genetics)
Quantitative Biology (qBio website linked here) (qBio Introduction video here)
Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution (EBE)
Microbiology
Immunology
Electives are typically completed years 1 or 2; preferably after identifying a thesis lab. Graduate courses are listed in the Schedule of Classes in the BGGN 200 series; they may be conducted in any of several ways:
as advanced lecture courses,
as seminars in which faculty and students present critical studies of selected problems within the subject field,
as independent reading or study courses under faculty supervision, and
as research units
Courses offered by other PhD programs are also optionally open to our students.
Rotations (CDB; MB; NB)
Rotations (CDB; MB; NB)
Students complete at least four six-week rotation projects with four different Biological Sciences faculty during Fall and Winter quarter of their First Year.
The four required rotations must be completed with faculty members of the Affiliated Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences between the Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD and the Salk Institute. All affiliated faculty members can be found on the official website.
Students can rotate with a faculty member who is not a member of the Biological Sciences graduate program after completing the four mandatory rotations.
Students can repeat rotations with the same faculty member after they have completed the required first four rotations.
All four rotations must be completed before a student can formally identify a thesis advisor and join their lab. Students often participate in up to two additional rotations during the Spring quarter. Every student must identify their thesis advisor no later than June 30 (end of rotation 6).
Rotations (EBE)
Rotations (EBE)
EBE students must contact their probable Thesis Advisor at start of Orientation in September of their first year. The purpose of EBE rotations is to learn skills from other labs in different/related fields before diving into your thesis research.
EBE rotations are not used to identify a thesis lab, and therefore it is recommended coordinate and plan your rotations with your Thesis Advisor at the start of your first year.
EBE students must complete at least four six-week rotation projects during Fall and Winter quarter of their First Year.
EBE rotations must be with at least two different Biological Sciences faculty. One of these faculty can be their probable thesis advisor. All affiliated faculty members can be found on the official website.
Students can rotate with a faculty member who is not a member of the Biological Sciences graduate program after completing the four mandatory rotations.
First year experience
First year experience
All students in the program (EBE and non-EBE) share similar first year experiences and programming before the Fall quarter begins.
All students in the program (EBE and non-EBE) share similar first year experiences and programming before the Fall quarter begins.
Cohort building begins with Boot Camp, an intensive two-week course at the beginning of the first year that emphasizes collaborative problem-solving. Boot Camp features a set of “Key Concepts Review” workshops where faculty present intensive lectures on fundamental topics in molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics, focusing on key concepts that are prerequisites for the CORE courses. Students also do a ‘microrotation’ featuring a small group project over 4 days in faculty laboratories; these allow students to sample research outside of their comfort zone without the commitment of a six-week rotation. Campers give chalk talks about their previous research experience every day over lunch, allowing them to share their background with their new peers.
One of the most popular features of Boot Camp is the field trip to the campus Challenge Course, which incorporates team building activities by trained instructors as well as some fun outdoor activities. The Challenge Course includes a ropes course, trust games, and ziplining!
Boot Camp is immediately followed by the annual Divisional Retreat (usually at Lake Arrowhead Resort), attended by students from all years, post-docs, and faculty across the Division. The retreat features talks, a poster session, award ceremonies, karaoke night, and other entertainment. This Retreat is a great opportunity for new students to meet faculty they might want to rotate with.
After the retreat, rotations and core coursework begins for the Fall quarter!
research seminars
research seminars
Students in our program actively participate in department seminars as attendees, hosts, and presenters. There are numerous seminar series on campus that Biology PhD students attend. Click here for the official list.
Notable seminar series include the Divisional Seminar Series, currently run jointly with the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM). The Salk Institute runs a separate weekly seminar. Numerous other regular seminar series are open to students, including the Neurosciences seminar series, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Immunology, EBE, Quantitative Biology, Genetics, and Bioinformatics & Systems Biology.
Students in the Quantitative Biology track are able to meet with invited seminar speakers over lunch or dinner, even in their first year. Additionally, the Quantitative Biology students themselves annually meet to select and invite 3-4 faculty to host as student-invited speakers.
From years 2-4, PhD students present their research projects to each other at least once a year through the Biology Graduate Student Seminar Series (BGSE 205) class. Click here for more info!
Research conferences & Travel allowance
Research conferences & Travel allowance
The Division of Biological Sciences encourages students to travel to scientific meetings and considers such meetings an important educational experience. Travel can be supported when adequate funding is available.
In general, the Division’s travel allowance for students is as follows:
Second-year students may receive up to $300, or up to $500 if they are presenting.
Third-year students and beyond are eligible for travel support of up to $500.
Many conferences are held at San Diego Convention Center!
Many conferences are held at San Diego Convention Center!
The Convention Center in downtown San Diego is a common venue for many notable national research conferences. For example, the annual ASCB & EMBO meeting (American Society for Cell Biology & European Molecular Biology Organization) is held in San Diego every three years. Other conferences regularly held in San Diego include the Society for Neuroscience, Biophysical Society, and more!
Graduate Student Handbook 2020-21_final.pdfPage updated
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