biology PhD student in front of plant

Biology Ph.D.

Immerse yourself in the study of living organisms, conduct original research and prepare to succeed as a scholar or researcher.

A changing world demands scientists with advanced skills and the ability to solve problems. The Ph.D. in Biology at UND combines excellence in academics with world-class facilities and research opportunities.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4-6 years
Credit hours:
90

What makes UND one of the best biology Ph.D. programs?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Feb 15*
Spring:
Sept 15* | Oct 15

*Priority deadline

A Biology Ph.D. from UND gives you the insights and knowledge to address some of today's most urgent problems, including:

  • Conservation and wildlife management on human-dominated landscapes
  • Protection of endangered species
  • Organismal and ecological responses to climate and landscape change
  • Relating phenotypic responses to genetic mechanisms

At UND, you'll:

  • Deepen your understanding of the major concepts of biology across all levels of biological organization.
  • Master at least one sub-discipline, choosing from:
    • Ecology, Evolution, Conservation Biology, and Wildlife
    • Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
  • Engage in the scientific process to create new knowledge.
  • Master the technical skills necessary to making observations, gathering and analyzing data and testing hypotheses.
  • Synthesize and communicate the results of your research.

Biology Ph.D. Programs at UND

  • Conduct original, independent research and publish your findings in peer-reviewed outlets.

  • Work in state-of-the-art facilities including vertebrate and invertebrate museums, tissue culture facilities, molecular biology labs, four field stations and expansive landscapes of the northern plains.

  • Enjoy financial support from a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship/traineeship.

  • Join organizations such a the Wildlife Society and North American Vascular Biology Association (NAVBO).

  • You'll have the opportunity to tailor your coursework to your primary areas of research, whether it's conservation biology, grassland ecology, or study of animals and their parasites.

What can I do with a biology Ph.D.?

126K

Mean annual salary for post-secondary teachers in the biological sciences, top 25% earner

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

In a rapidly changing world, the demand for scholars and researchers with an advanced understanding of the biological sciences will continue to grow.

Ph.D. students from the University of North Dakota go on to rewarding careers such as:

  • Tenure-track teaching at colleges and universities
  • Government research
  • Research and developmental opportunities in industry
  • Professional biology

Biology Ph.D. Alumni

Biology alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • North Dakota Game and Fish
  • University of Minnesota
  • Altru Health System
  • Sanford Health
  • Abbott Laboratories

Biology Ph.D. Courses

BIOL 599. Research. 1-15 Credits.

Intended for students conducting original research in consultation with staff. Repeatable. S/U grading.

BIOL 590. Special Topics. 1-4 Credits.

Important and current topics in biology not covered by other courses. Repeatable when topics vary. Examples include: Aquaculture, Big Game Biology, Biorhythms, Conservation Biology, Fire Ecology, Molecular Techniques, Plant-Animal Interactions, Sex Determination and Speciation. Prerequisite: Graduate status or upper division status with consent of instructor. Repeatable.

BIOL 534. Quantitative Ecology. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the methods employed in the study of the ecology of natural populations/communities of plants and animals.

BIOL 509. Scientific Writing. 2 Credits.

Writing is an essential part of the scientific enterprise. In this course, students will develop their scientific writing skill through readings and discussion on the nature of effective writing, and through critique of writing projects produced by each student. Course can be repeated up to 4 credits for different writing projects. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Repeatable to 4.00 credits. F.

BIOL 593. Advanced Topics in Plant Biology. 1-4 Credits.

Advanced topics in plant biology. Examples include: Plant Development, Plant Biochemistry, and Plant Genetics. Repeatable when topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate status or upper division status with consent of instructor. Repeatable. On demand.

BIOL 415. Genomics. 4 Credits.

Genomics describes the determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of an organism and subsequent analyses to decode the structural and functional information of all genes and regulatory sequences in the genome. This four-credit course will consist of lectures, computer lab sessions, in-class exercises, take-home assignments, student presentations, and discussion of research articles. Counts as an upper-division laboratory course. Prerequisites: BIOL 150, BIOL 150L, BIOL 151, BIOL 151L and BIOL 315. S.

Biology Research

Immerse yourself in high-level research at state-of-the-art facilities and in the field.

Explore More Options

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

Department Contact
Robert Newman
Graduate Program Director
P 701.777.4290
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