Physiology and Developmental Biology
PhD
Application Deadlines
Fall:May 1
Winter:September 10
Spring:February 1
Summer:February 1
Contact Information: 
4005 LSB
801-422-2006
pdbio@byu.edu
Website
Program Requirements: 

This PhD degree program is a comprehensive academic endeavor in physiology and developmental biology. Although the research project of each PhD student will focus in an area of either physiology or developmental biology, all students will be expected to have an understanding of key concepts in both disciplines. The research project will include independent inquiry and in-depth application of the scientific method. Publication of the research in peer-reviewed journals is expected but not required.

Requirements for Degree

  • Credit hours: 54 hours, including 18 hours of dissertation (PDBio 799R).
  • Students who have earned a master’s degree must complete at least 36 semester hours of additional graduate work at BYU beyond the master’s degree.
  • Required courses: Bio 503 (1 hour); PDBio 582 and 601 (3 hours each), 694R (4 hours), 696R (4 hours); Stat 511 (3 hours).
  • Research credit (PDBio 649R and 799R) may not exceed 27 hours.
  • A seminar must be presented each year (PDBio 694R)
  • A professional development requirement must be met (PDBio 689R).
  • Dissertation: standard university dissertation format or journal publication format.
  • Examinations: (A) comprehensive written and oral examination; (B) defense of dissertation.
Admission Requirements: 

Required Tests

GRE (score of 1070)

Additional Requirements

Resume required

Document summarizing interest level, likely fit, and desire to conduct graduate research with at least 5 specific faculty members in the program.

Program Outcomes: 


Advanced Physiology and Developmental Biology

Students will describe the current state of the discipline in their area of specialization as well as foundational theories, concepts and practices of the field. Students will add new knowledge to their field through designing and conducting experimental procedures, analyzing the collected data, and determining how the new knowledge fits in with current understanding.

Critical Literature Analysis and Effective Communication

Critically read current literature in the discipline and make effective oral and written presentations.

Research Design and Experience

Successfully apply the scientific method by generating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis through personal research that includes appropriate controls, and formulating defensible conclusions.

Grant Writing

Be able to write effective grant proposals.

Teaching

Be able to teach at the university level.

Program Stats

Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
Total Students 13
International 2
Female 8
LDS 13
Minority 1
BYU Undergraduate 5
Three Year Average Test Scores of Admitted Student
GRE Composite Score 314.7
GRE Quantitative Score 154.3
GRE Quantitative Percentile 57.7
GRE Verbal Score 160.3
GRE Verbal Percentile 80.0
GRE Analytical Score 4.7
GRE Analytical Percentile 80.7
Five Year Average of Graduated Students
Average Years to Degree 3.9
Graduated Per Year 2.4
Five Year Average of Admitted Students
Applied Per Year 4.2
Admitted Per Year 3.0
Percent Admitted 71.43
Average GPA 3.54