Quantitative and Systems Biology, Ph.D.

Program Description

qsb.ucmerced.edu
Graduate Program Chair: Katrina Hoyer
Graduate Group Coordinator: Mel Alexandra
Please direct inquiries to qsb.inquiries@ucmerced.edu

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

1. Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

• Developmental Mechanisms
• Physiological Systems and Metabolomics
• Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration
• Neurobiology

2. Evolution and Ecology

• Ecosystem Ecology
• Evolutionary Developmental Biology
• Genomics
• Global Change and Adaptation
• Symbiosis
• Organismal and Integrative Biology
• Population Ecology and Dynamics

3. Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Bioengineering

• Structural Biology
• Cell and Tissue Engineering
• Synthetic Biology

4. Computational and Mathematical Biology

• Molecular Systems Biology
• Theoretical Biology and Modeling
• Computational Evolutionary Biology and Bioinformatics

5. Microbiology and Immunology

• Biology of Microbial Communities
• Microbial Pathogenesis and Infectious Disease

6. Biological and Medical Education

QSB recruits students with interests in these areas. QSB admits new students into a laboratory rotation track 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, and Summer Internships at the Joint Genome Institute at Berkeley.

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: Knowledge and understanding of Quantitative and 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.