Program Purpose

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The Ph.D. in Physiology and Devlopmental Biology will prepare students for subsequent postdoctoral training elsewhere with eventual entrance into academic positions in research and/or teaching or in industry. The program is meant to provide in-depth training in laboratory research and application of the scientific method.

These goals are consistent with the aim of BYU to provide graduate students with a program that offers greater competency than undergraduate programs. The program will help students achieve excellence in, and contribute original insights to, their discipline. It will also prepare them to enter the workforce or pursue further training.

Curricular Structure

Graduate Catalog

Program Details

Department Information

Learning Outcomes

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Advanced Cell Biology & Physiology

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.

Evidence of Learning

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Student progress is evaluated regularly by the student's graduate committee. Competency in the discipline is evaluated by a Comprehensive Written and Oral Examination. Research competency is evaluated by a final Defense of Dissertation. Placement into Ph.D. postdoctoral positions or employment is tracked by the department Graduate Committee. Publication of student research is reported yearly as part of the annual faculty report.

Direct Measures

1. Quality of written/oral prospectus of research (Learning Outcomes 1-3)
2. Performance on written comprehensive examination (Learning Outcomes 1,2)
3. Performance on presentations in PDBio 601 and 694R (Learning Outcomes 2)
4. Quality of written dissertation (Learning Outcomes 1-4)
5. Performance on oral defense of dissertation (Learning Outcomes 1-4)
6. Published research (Learning Outcomes 2,3)
7. Quality of written grant proposal (Learning Outcome 4)
8. Performance in Practicum in Biology Teaching (Learning Outcome 4)

Indirect Measures

1. Placement in postdoctoral programs or teaching jobs (Learning Outcomes 2-3)
2. Student evaluations of teaching (Learning Outcome 4)

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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Written work (prospectus of research, grant proposal, dissertation, published research) for each student will be stored in the department office. Results from the exit interview and information about placement will be maintained within each student's department file. Performance on oral examinations will be assessed by each student's graduate committee and these assessments will be maintained within each student's file. Student evaluations of teaching (for Practicum in Biology Teaching) will also be kept in the student's file. Each Spring/Summer Term, the Department Graduate Committee will evaluate the assessment evidence for our program and courses in light of the program goals. When evidence exists that our program is not meeting its goals, the Committee will make recommendations to the faculty for improvement. This could involve a recommendation to modify the objectives or proposed learning outcomes for a given course. It could also involve a recommendation to modify the purpose, goals, or curriculum of the program. Any changes that require approval from the College and University will be presented to the College Graduate Council by our department representative for consideration up the line.