Office

 of  the  Provost  

Proposed  Change  to  an  Existing  Degree:  Academic  Component  

 

Please  answer  all  relevant  questions  below.    Consultation  with  the  appropriate  Associate  
Provost  on  a  draft  of  the  proposal  is  recommended.    

Using  the  relevant  template,  please  submit  a  budget  even  if  no  additional  resources  are  
needed.  

Title  of  Degree  (e.g.,  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  History):  PhD  in  Biology  

1.    Please  provide  the  name,  title,  email  address,  and  phone  number  of  the  primary  contact  person  for  
this  academic  program:  

Professor  Kim  McCall,  Chair  of  Biology,  kmccall@bu.edu,  617-­‐358-­‐0442  

Associate  Professor  Peter  Buston,  Director  of  Graduate  Studies  in  Biology,  buston@bu.edu,  617-­‐358-­‐
5412    

2.    Please  describe  briefly  the  proposed  change  to  the  existing  degree:  

The  proposed  change  is  a  “substantive”,  but  really  quite  minor,  change  to  the  Biology  PhD  requirements.  
These  changes  have  been  approved  by  the  Biology  faculty.  The  proposed  course  requirement  changes  
convert  recommended  courses  (progress  in  research  seminars,  grant  writing  seminars,  a  pedagogy  
course  and  a  quantitative  elective)  into  required  courses.  The  proposed  bulletin  changes  reflect  those  
changes  and  reveal  the  course  requirements  that  are  common  to  the  three  areas  of  the  Biology  PhD  
(‘Cell  and  Molecular’,  ‘Neurobiology’  and  ‘Ecology,  Evolution,  Behavior  and  Marine  Biology’),  namely  
progress  in  research  seminars,  grant  writing  seminars,  a  pedagogy  course  and  a  quantitative  
requirement.  The  proposed  changes  have  all  been  developed  in  response  to  program  learning  outcomes  
assessment  over  the  last  5  years  or  so  and  we  believe  them  to  be  an  important  step  forward.  

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Two  additional  minor  changes  are  the  removal  of  BI552  as  a  required  course  for  Cell  &  Molecular  (CM)  
Biology  students  and  the  recognition  of  equivalence  of  BI756  with  BI741  for  the  Neurobiology  students.    
The  rationale  for  removing  BI552  (Molecular  Biology  I)  is  that  we  have  found  that  all  of  our  recent  CM  
students  have  a  strong  enough  background  to  go  directly  into  BI753  (Advanced  Molecular  Biology).    
Moreover,  the  PhD  students  greatly  prefer  a  smaller  seminar-­‐style  course  to  the  large  lecture  of  100+  
mostly  undergraduate  students  in  BI552.    The  recognition  of  equivalence  between  BI756  and  BI741  is  
consistent  with  a  recent  change  in  the  Graduate  Program  in  Neuroscience  program.    

3.    Please  provide  the  academic  rationale  for  the  proposed  change  to  the  existing  degree.  This  may  
include  aspects  related  to  budgetary  issues,  student  demand,  or  peer/disciplinary  trends:  

The  rationale  for  these  changes  is  that  they  will  formalize  and  clarify  common  practice.  The  changes  will  
remove  any  ambiguity  that  exists  surrounding  these  courses.  

4.    Please  describe  how  the  proposed  change(s)  advances  the  Strategic  Plans  of  the  department,  of  the  
school/college,  and  of  the  University:    

We  anticipate  that  this  clarification  and  formalization  will  have  a  positive  impact  on  students  and  their  
mentors  in  the  Department,  by  removing  any  uncertainties  that  exist  regarding  this  issue.  Consequently,  
we  believe  that  this  will  be  a  positive,  if  incremental,  change  for  the  Department  and  by  extension  the  
College  and  the  University.    

   

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5.    Please  list  all  the  program  requirements  for  the  current  and  revised  programs  so  that  review  
committees  can  easily  see  the  changes:  (Expand  the  table  as  needed  and  denote  new  courses  in  bold  
print.  New  courses  included  in  the  degree  that  are  intended  to  convey  Hub  units  must  be  submitted  
separately  for  Hub  unit  approval  via  CourseLeaf)  

Current  program   Revised  program  

   

Biology  wide   Biology  wide  

•     •  Two  semesters  of  Progress  in  Research  Seminars  (1-­‐2  
credits),  selected  from  the  following:  
-­‐  BI583  Progress  in  Cell  and  Molecular  Biology  (fall)  
-­‐  BI584  Progress  in  Cell  and  Molecular  Biology  (spr)  
-­‐  NE500  Frontiers  of  Neuroscience  (fall)  
-­‐  NE501  Frontiers  of  Neuroscience  (spr)  
-­‐  BI579  Progress  in  Ecology,  Evolution  and  Behavior  (fall  
-­‐  BI580  Progress  in  Ecology,  Evolution  and  Behavior  (spr  
•   •  One  semester  grant  writing  course  (2  credits),  
selected  from  the  following:    
-­‐  BI581  Seminar  in  Biology  (C&M  or  Neuro  students)    
-­‐  BI671  Survey  of  Ecology,  Evolution  and  Behavior  
•   •  One  semester  pedagogy  course  (1  credit)  
-­‐  BI697  A  Bridge  to  Knowledge:  A  Practical  Seminar  for  
First  Year  Graduate  Students  in  Biology  
•   •  One  quantitative  course  (3-­‐4  credits),  selected  from  a  
list  of  courses  available  online  
•   •  Electives  by  track  
•   •  Research  credits  
   

Cell  and  Molecular  Biology   Cell  and  Molecular  Biology  

•  CAS  BI  552  Molecular  Biology  I     •  Removed  
•  GRS  BI  753  Advanced  Molecular  Biology   •  GRS  BI  753  Advanced  Molecular  Biology  
•  GRS  MB721  Graduate  Biochemistry   •  GRS  MB721  Graduate  Biochemistry  
•  GRS  BI735  Advanced  Cell  Biology   •  GRS  BI735  Advanced  Cell  Biology  
•  CAS  BI583  Progress  in  Cell  and  Molecular  Biology   •  Replaced  above  
•  CAS  BI584  Progress  in  Cell  and  Molecular  Biology   •  Replaced  above  
•  Three  electives   •  Three  electives    
•  Research  courses   •  Research  credits  
   

Neurobiology    
•  GRS  BI755  Cellular  and  Systems  Neuroscience   •  GRS  BI755  Cellular  and  Systems  Neuroscience  
•  GRS  BI756  Systems  and  Behavioral  Neuroscience   •  GRS  BI756  Systems  and  Behavioral  Neuroscience  
•   •  GRS  BI741  Neural  Systems:  Functional  Circuit  Analysis  
•  GRS  NE500  Frontiers  of  Neuroscience   •  Replaced  above  
•  GRS  NE501  Frontiers  of  Neuroscience   •  Replaced  above  
•  Five  electives   •  Four  electives  
•  Research  courses   •  Research  credits  
   

Ecology,  Evolution,  Behavior  &  Marine  Bio    

•  Eight  electives   •  Six  electives  
•  Research  courses   •  Research  credits  
 

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6.    How  does  this  change  reflect  the  result  of  program  learning  outcomes  assessment  and/or  academic  
program  review?:  

The  recommended  progress  in  research  seminars,  grant  writing  seminars,  pedagogy  course  and  
quantitative  requirement  have  all  been  developed  in  response  to  program  learning  outcomes  
assessment  over  the  last  5  years  or  so.  The  proposed  change  will  make  these  recommendations  into  
requirements.    

7.    Please  list  learning  outcomes  for  the  revised  program:  

The  learning  outcomes  for  the  revised  program  are  unchanged,  but  facilitated  by  the  conversion  of  
recommended  courses  into  required  courses:  

•  Demonstrate  academic  mastery  in  one  of  three  areas  of  Biology:  Ecology,  Behavior  and  Evolution;  
Neurobiology;  or  Cellular  &  Molecular  Biology.  
•  Attain  research  expertise,  including  grant  writing  experience,  and  complete  original  research  that  
advances  a  specific  field  of  study  within  one  of  three  broad  subject  areas  represented  in  the  
department:  Ecology,  Behavior  and  Evolution;  Neurobiology;  or  Cellular  and  Molecular  Biology.    
•  Attain  teaching  experience  and  expertise  in  one  of  three  broad  areas  of  Biology:  Ecology,  Behavior  
and  Evolution;  Neurobiology;  or  Cellular  &  Molecular  Biology.    
•  Attain  the  skills  and  qualifications  needed  for  employment  in  an  academic,  government  or  private  
sector  position  related  to  the  life  sciences.    
 

8.    How  does  the  change  place  your  program  in  the  context  of  programs  at  peer  institutions?  

The  proposed  changes  do  not  substantially  impact  the  placement  of  our  program  in  the  context  of  
programs  at  peer  institutions.  

9.    How  does  the  change  affect  other  academic  units  and  existing  programs  at  the  University?  

The  proposed  changes  do  not  affect  other  academic  units  of  programs  at  the  University.  

10.    How  will  you  notify  current  students  of  the  proposed  changes  and  implement  the  requirements?    
How  will  you  assure  that  current  students  are  able  to  complete  their  programs  under  the  
requirements  that  were  in  place  at  the  time  of  their  matriculation?  

The  Chair  and  DGS  will  notify  current  students  of  the  proposed  changes.  The  proposed  changes  will  
impact  students  applying  in  the  fall  of  2018  and  starting  in  the  fall  of  2019.  Current  students  will  be  
grandfathered  in  under  the  old  requirements.    

4  
 
  

11.    Please  document  any  implications  that  the  change  has  on  professional  accreditation  or  licensure  
at  the  program  or  school/college  level:  

The  proposed  changes  have  no  implications  on  professional  accreditation  or  licensure  at  the  program  or  
school/college  level.  

12.    If  the  change  includes  a  new  course  or  courses,  please  indicate  who  will  teach  the  course  and  how  
the  rest  of  that  faculty  member’s  course  load  will  be  affected  (courses(s)  redistributed  to  other  
faculty,  taught  less  frequently,  no  longer  taught,  etc.).    Please  be  specific  about  affected  courses.    This  
information  should  be  reflected  in  the  budget  form  that  accompanies  the  proposal,  e.g.  the  cost  for  a  
new  faculty  member  to  teach  the  new  course  or  a  redistributed  course:  

The  proposed  changes  do  not  involve  the  development  of  a  new  course  or  courses.  

13.    Please  list  other  resources  needed  including  new  staff,  IT,  technology  enhanced  classrooms,  office  
space,  and  other  facilities.    This  information  should  be  reflected  in  the  budget:      

The  proposed  changes  require  no  other  resources.  

14.    Please  describe  the  budgetary  impact  that  the  proposed  change  will  have:  

The  proposed  changes  will  have  no  budgetary  impact.  

15.    Please  provide  the  bulletin  copy  (exactly  as  it  should  appear)  related  to  the  proposed  change,  
including  all  text  connected  to  the  program  (requirements,  description,  learning  outcomes)[NOTE:  this  
bulletin  copy  is  in  a  final  form  and  cannot  be  changed.  It  must  include  program  learning  outcomes.]:  

Please  see  attached.  

   

5  
 
The  following  questions  relate  to  a  change  in  the  format,  e.g.  blended,  online,  face-­‐to-­‐face,  of  an  
existing  degree.  

16.    For  proposed  changes  to  format  of  existing  programs,  please  provide  an  indication  of  non-­‐
standard  scheduling  for  the  proposed  format:  

NA  

17.    Please  provide  a  communication  and  promotion  plan  for  the  proposed  changed  format.    Are  you  
working  with  an  outside  vendor/contractor?    If  yes,  please  outline  this  relationship  and  the  role  of  the  
vendor:  

NA  

18.    If  applicable,  please  provide  a  request  for  non-­‐standard  tuition  rates  for  the  proposed  changed  
delivery  format:  

NA  

19.    What  charges  (tuition,  fees,  etc.)  are  to  be  applied  to  this  program?    How  will  the  charges  be  
structured?    Please  make  the  figures  correspond  with  the  Budget  Form  submission.  

NA  

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PROPOSED BULLETIN PAGE
PhD in Biology
The goal of the Biology Department is to train students at the highest level in one of three broad sub-fields within
modern biology: Cell & Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, and Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology.
Upon completion of the PhD, students should be prepared for postgraduate training and to eventually assume
teaching and/or research positions in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies. The PhD is a research
degree and normally necessitates at least five years of academic study, including summer work.

Applicants to the PhD program must have completed a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field. We
favor applicants with both strong academic records and a demonstrated aptitude for research.

Course Requirements
Students must complete 64 credits with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; at least 32 of these credits must be
accrued from lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses.

Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course credits. See the GRS Transfer of Credits policy for
more details.

Course requirements:

• 2 semesters of Progress in Research Seminars (1-2 credits each, select from CAS BI583, BI584, BI579,
BI580, GRS NE500, NE501)
• 1 semester grant writing course (2 credits, usually GRS BI671 or CAS BI581)
• 1 semester pedagogy course (1 credit, BI697)
• 1 quantitative course (3-4 credits, selected from a list of courses)
• Additional courses vary by specific track and student interests

Specific course requirements by track:

Cell & Molecular Biology

• GRS BI 753 Advanced Molecular Biology

• GRS MB 721 Graduate Biochemistry
• GRS BI 735 Advanced Cell Biology
• Three electives
• Research credits

Neurobiology

• GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

• GRS BI 756 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience or BI741 Neural Systems: Functional Circuit Analysis
• Four electives
• Research credits
Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology

• Six electives
• Research credits

Language Requirement
There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination must be completed no later than six semesters after matriculation. In most graduate
curricula in the department, this consists of a research proposal—often in the form of a grant application—which the
student submits to his/her committee and subsequently defends in an oral presentation. In the Cell & Molecular
Biology and Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology curricula, the qualifying exam is preceded by a
comprehensive written examination testing the student’s general background from coursework.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or
creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the Director
of Graduate Studies, and the Biology department Chair. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which
they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery of
their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination
must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree. The results
of the dissertation must be presented at a department colloquium.

Teaching Requirement
The department requires a minimum of two semesters of teaching as part of the Doctor of Philosophy program.
During the first semester of teaching, students are required to enroll in our first-year seminar course, GRS BI 697 A
Bridge to Knowledge. The course provides guidance and training on pedagogy and other aspects of graduate school.

A PhD student who has advanced to candidacy (as demonstrated by passing the PhD qualifying exam), and has
completed 32 credits of graduate-level coursework (not including research), may apply to the Graduate School for a
Master of Arts in Biology. This must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies within the Biology
Department. The student’s major professor should receive notification of this application process.

A PhD student who has not been advanced to candidacy based on the PhD qualifying examination may still receive
a master’s degree. This student may receive a master’s degree if at least three members (including at least two
faculty members from the Biology Department) of the PhD qualifying examination committee vote that the student’s
performance on the qualifying examination was of sufficiently high quality for a master’s degree. In addition, this
student must have completed at least 32 credits of graduate-level coursework.
OLD-CURRENT BULLETIN PAGE
PhD in Biology
The goal of the Biology Department is to train students at the highest level in one of three broad sub-fields within
modern biology: cell and molecular biology, neurobiology, and ecology, behavior, evolution & marine biology.
Upon completion of the PhD, students should be prepared for postgraduate training and to eventually assume
teaching and/or research positions in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies. The PhD is a research
degree and normally necessitates at least five years of academic study, including summer work.

Applicants to the PhD program must have completed a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field. We
favor applicants with both strong academic records and a demonstrated aptitude for research.

Course Requirements
Students must complete sixteen 500-level or above courses (64 credits) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0;
at least eight of these courses must be lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. Courses will vary depending on
program discipline.

Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course credits. See the GRS Transfer of Credits policy for
more details.

Course requirements by track:

Cell and Molecular Biology

• CAS BI 552 Molecular Biology I (students with a strong molecular biology background may replace with
an elective)
• GRS BI 753 Advanced Molecular Biology
• GRS MB 721 Graduate Biochemistry
• GRS BI 735 Advanced Cell Biology
• CAS BI 583 Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
• CAS BI 584 Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
• Three electives
• Research courses

Neurobiology

• GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience

• GRS BI 756 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience
• GRS NE 500 Frontiers of Neuroscience
• GRS NE 501 Frontiers of Neuroscience
• Five electives
• Research courses

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology

Marine Biology and Ecology PhD candidate coursework is highly variable. Students, in consultation with
advisors, develop a plan of coursework and research. Students are required to take a minimum of 32
credits of coursework. The remainder of the credits should be research.

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for further details.

Language Requirement
There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination must be completed no later than six semesters after matriculation. In most graduate
curricula in the department, this consists of a research proposal—often in the form of a grant application—which the
student submits to his/her committee and subsequently defends in an oral presentation. In the cell and molecular
biology and ecology, behavior, evolution & marine biology curricula, this is preceded by a comprehensive written
examination testing the student’s general background from coursework.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or
creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the director
of graduate studies, and the department chair/program director. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in
which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery
of their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral
examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
The results of the dissertation must be presented at a department colloquium.

Teaching Requirement
The department requires a minimum of two semesters of teaching during a student’s graduate career as part of the
Doctor of Philosophy program. During the first semester of teaching, students are required to enroll in our first-year
seminar course, GRS BI 697 A Bridge to Knowledge. The course provides guidance and training on pedagogy and
other aspects of graduate school.

A PhD student who has advanced to candidacy (as demonstrated by passing the PhD qualifying exam), and has
completed 32 credits of graduate-level coursework (not including research), may apply to the Graduate School for a
Master of Arts in Biology. This must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies within the Biology
Department. The student’s major professor should receive notification of this application process.

A PhD student who has not been advanced to candidacy based on the PhD qualifying examination may still receive
a master’s degree. This student may receive a master’s degree if at least three members (including at least two
faculty members from the Biology Department) of the PhD qualifying examination committee vote that the student’s
performance on the qualifying examination was of sufficiently high quality for a master’s degree. In addition, this
student must have completed at least 32 credits of graduate-level coursework.