Quantitative and Systems Biology, Ph.D.

Program Description

qsb.ucmerced.edu
Graduate Program Chair: Chris Amemiya
Graduate Group Coordinator: Paul Roberts
Please direct inquiries to qsb.inquiries@ucmerced.edu

The Quantitative and Systems Biology (QSB) graduate program is for Ph.D. and M.S. students interested in all areas of biology. A unique strength lies in training students to communicate across scientific boundaries to address complex questions and problems while mastering core skills and disciplines. QSB faculty at UC Merced, as well as Lawrence Livermore National Lab and the DOE Joint Genome Institute, represent strengths organized under four areas:

1. Molecular and Cell Biology

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Neurobiology
• Physiology

2. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

• Molecular Evolution and Ecology
• Microbial Ecology and Genomics
• Organismal and Integrative Biology
• Population Ecology, Genetics and Genomics

3. Systems and Synthetic Biology

• Molecular Systems Biology
• Systems Ecology
• Synthetic Biology

4. Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics

• Mathematical Biology
• Computational Biology
• Physical Biology
• Structural Biology
• Bioinformatics

QSB is recruiting students with prior experience in laboratory work, fieldwork, mathematical modeling, statistics or computer programming. QSB supports either laboratory rotations or direct admission into a laboratory. QSB students can take advantage of a wide diversity of support mechanisms for research opportunities and professional development, including Semester Research Fellowships, Conference Travel Awards, Summer Research Fellowships, Recruitment Travel Awards and the Joint Genome Institute/UC Merced Genomics Distinguished Graduate Internship Program.

Concentrations
QSB offers Concentrations in specific fields of biology. Students enrolling in a concentration will take courses aimed towards specialized skill development, and the degree conferred will include the concentration. Current concentrations offered are:

• Molecular and Cellular Biology. Students will develop scholarship, teaching and research ability in one or more areas of Molecular and Cell Biology broadly defined, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, immunology, microbiology, neurobiology, and/or physiology.
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Students will develop scholarship, teaching and research ability in both Ecology and Evolutionary Biology broadly defined, including community ecology, biogeography, phylogenetics, and/or evolutionary and ecological dynamics.

Prospective applicants can view instructions on how to apply for graduate studies in QSB at the website, qsb.ucmerced.edu.

Ph.D. Program Learning Outcomes

1. Quantitative and Systems Biology Skill (QB/SB)–Knowledge and understanding of quantitative (statistical, computational, and model dependent) and high-throughput experimental systems approaches to biological problems, and demonstrated ability to conceive, plan, execute and/or interpret the applications of these approaches to research questions.
2. Ethics–Knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in proposing and executing professional scientific research.
3. Teaching/Communication–Ability to effectively assist in the teaching of science in a classroom environment, and engage in effective communication of original and existing scientific inquiry and results orally and in writing.
4. Scholarship–Ability to undertake and demonstrate original graduate level scholarship in specialized areas of biology, including integrative command of historical and current literature and broader scientific context, and identification of open research problems.
5. Research Ability–Ability to propose and defend a feasible research plan to apply scientific techniques to open research problems and execute, complete and defend original research that advances scientific knowledge.