Doctoral Program
Prospective graduate students are encouraged to visit the Graduate Access Page, MyGAP. Using MyGAP you can create a personalized web page containing information about all SDSU graduate programs that interest you. Click on the MyGap image below to begin.
JOINT DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN BIOLOGY
(Cell and Molecular Biology)
San Diego State University (SDSU) offers
a doctoral degree program in Biology in cooperation with the University
of California, San Diego (UCSD) Division
of Biological Sciences . This joint program involves research training
under the supervision of participating SDSU
Faculty whose members are drawn from the Departments of Biology,
Chemistry,
Computer Science, and Psychology
and whose interests cover a wide range of biological problems and represent
the interdisciplinary nature of modern biology.
Course Requirements
There are no specific number of courses required for the Joint Doctoral
Degree in Biology, except a one-year graduate course including genetics,
cell and molecular biology. Prior to taking the qualifying examination,
every student is expected to have a firm understanding of modern biological
principles. Generally, students will be expected to complete a set of at
least three laboratory rotations. Coursework may be selected from offerings
at either UCSD
or SDSU.
SDSU Catalog Information (PDF file)
Research Facilities
The recently-renovated laboratories of the Department of Biology and the
newly built Chemistry laboratories are fully equipped for modern research
in cell and molecular biology and biochemistry. Major items include electron
microscopes, confocal and deconvolution microscopes, image processing facilities,
an oligonucleotide synthesis/DNA sequencing microchemical
core facility, NMR and mass spectrometers, spectrofluorometers, other
analytical and separation instrumentation, controlled-temperature and animal
rooms, research support shops, and numerous computer facilities. The SDSU
BioScience Center recently opened
and provides facilities to study the linkage of microbial infection, inflammation
and cardiovascular disease. SDSU is also a member of the regional CRAY Supercomputer
Consortium.
Student Group
The Joint Ph.D. program in Biology has approximately 40 students enrolled.
The unusually high faculty-to-Ph.D. student ratio fosters close contact
and quality training for incoming students. Approximately 50 graduate students
are also enrolled in the Molecular Biology M.S. program under the direction
of Molecular Biology Institute faculty. In addition, more than one hundred
graduate students are enrolled in other degree programs in biology and chemistry,
including a M.S. program in Biomedical
Regulatory Affairs offered by the Center
for Bio/Pharmaceutical and Biodevice Development.
The Community
San Diego is host to one of the major biomedical research communities in
the U.S. with close interaction among UCSD, Salk
Institute, Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
The Scripps Research Institute and
SDSU. These interactions extend to numerous other biomedical
research institutes and biotechnology
companies in San Diego county. SDSU is located 12 miles east of downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. UCSD is located in La Jolla near the coast. San Diego enjoys a reputation for easy living and a highly desirable climate. Major cultural attractions include a variety of music and dance clubs, outdoor theme parks including the world-famous San Diego Zoo, theater, opera, popular and classical music concerts and a rich art scene. Spectator sports enthusiasts can enjoy both college and professional sports teams.The nearby ocean, mountains and deserts allow an unsually wide variety of year-round outdoor activities.
The University
More than 33,000 students and 1900 faculty members make SDSU one of the
largest of 23 institutions within the CSU
system, which is itself the largest public university system in the
U.S. SDSU is unique within the CSU system in offering a number of Joint-Ph.D.
programs. SDSU is rated among the top 200 U.S. higher education institutions
through its classification as "Research University - High Research
Activity" by the Carnegie
Foundation. SDSU was ranked the number
one small research university in the nation, according to the faculty
scholarly productivity index of Academic Analytics. SDSU is in the midst
of a major expansion of its faculty and research endeavors in Cell and Molecular
Biology. These efforts include the interdisciplinary programs developed
by the SDSU Heart Institute, the Center for Microbial Sciences and the Molecular
Biology Institute. The Ph.D. is offered jointly with UCSD, a prominent research
university in the UC
system. Of 256 Biology programs, UCSD ranked number 2 and SDSU number
37 in funding from the National Institutes of Health. Financial Support
Annual stipends (currently $21,000-$23,000 per year) are provided for all joint Ph.D. students, as is the full cost of tuition. Students receive a complete health benefit package.
Application
For information regarding the Biology Joint Doctoral Application process please go to the Prospective Students page.
Correspondence and information about the joint-doctoral program:
CMB Joint Doctoral Program Administrator
Biology Department
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-4614
Email: biojtdoc@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
Information about participating faculty members and their research
interests:
SDSU Faculty
UCSD
Faculty
