Gain the knowledge and real-world experiences you need to become an expert in the field of integrative biology or neuroscience.
A Ph.D. in biological sciences is the highest degree in biology and offers a general track as well as specializations in integrative biology and neuroscience. You will spend a large portion of your time doing independent and in-depth collaborative research in areas such as aquatic and terrestrial ecology, sustainability, plant and animal physiology, molecular biology, and more. The Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences is intended for students that are interested in careers in research and/or academia.
Graduates will be well-trained to pursue research and funding in the area of complex biological systems within academic settings. Graduates will also be able to market themselves to prospective employers who seek microbiologists, environmental scientists, natural sciences managers, medical scientists or postsecondary biological science educators.
As the highest degree in biology, earning your doctorate in biological sciences prepares you for a lifetime of research and science-based careers. Working with many of our top-notch professors, you are trained to be expert research scientists in your field of choice and trained to teach at the highest levels in postsecondary institutions.
If you have a passion for the natural world and a strong desire to study and protect it, the 15 credit-hour specialization in conservation biology equips you with the skills to assess and mitigate environmental threats, design conservation strategies and contribute to the preservation of species and ecosystems. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers in academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations and research institutions dedicated to conserving our natural world.
If you are interested in ecology and environmental sciences, conservation biology, sustainability, or other medicine or health professions, the integrative biology specialization includes 16 credit hours of unique courses such as biostatistics, neurobiology, organismal biology and foundations of ecology and conservation.
If studying the relationship between brain and behavior excites you, the neuroscience specialization gives you opportunities to do interdisciplinary research and gain a strong foundation in the core concepts of neuroscience. This specialization includes 15 credit hours of coursework in neuroanatomy, endocrinology, neurobiology, neuropharmacology and medical neurosciences.
Program Details
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Research, explore and experience the study of life from the molecule to large biomes in the Department of Biology.
Located along the free-flowing Missouri National Recreational River, the Missouri River Institute explores the natural and cultural resources of the river through its focus on research, education and outreach.
Get involved with hands-on research in your own backyard or across the world. Whether you are interested in the ongoing research in backwater restoration, the impact of invasive tree species on floodplain bird nesting or turtle ecology, the Missouri River Institute and USD's unique location to the Missouri River offers vast opportunities for research.
The Center for Brain and Behavior Research provides outstanding training of graduate research students and fellows, feeding the pipeline of creative independent scientists in the fields of neuroscience and behavioral science.
A large collection of biological periodicals, government documents and publications are available in the University Libraries. Online journals, database searches, electronic document delivery, and interlibrary loans are also available. Additional research facilities include laboratories, a greenhouse, growth chambers, the South Dakota Herbarium, controlled environment animal quarters, a histology facility, cold rooms, aquarium rooms, an aquatic mesocosm facility, wet and dry collection rooms, molecular biology core facility and a shop.
Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.
Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.
USD offers opportunities for grad students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for their teaching, research and service efforts to the university.
The Ph.D. program offered me opportunities as a graduate student to both teach and do research. For a career in academia, USD provides a useful combination of one-on-one mentoring and research opportunities that will benefit any student's goals.
Jazmine Yaeger
Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Neurosciences '17
Akron, Iowa
