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The Department of Biological Sciences provides a challenging PhD program designed to cultivate researchers and educators through intensive scientific training. Candidates develop academic prowess by nurturing their natural inquisitiveness while mastering the disciplined approach of scientific inquiry. This curriculum delivers comprehensive education in contemporary biology, preparing graduates for professional paths in academic institutions, corporate research, and public sector roles.
Our biological sciences graduate program features distinctive opportunities for advanced study within a stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment. Participants can explore our wide-ranging research specialties, including Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology, and Physiology. Alumni pursue successful careers in higher education, corporate research, and government agencies. Each student's primary focus involves conducting original dissertation research that adheres to stringent quality benchmarks. The department's extensive expertise enables scholars to select from numerous specialized research areas.
To facilitate optimal student-mentor pairings, first-year candidates complete three laboratory rotations. These temporary placements allow students to experience laboratories aligned with their research interests. By the conclusion of their second semester, students collaboratively select a faculty advisor to oversee both research direction and academic coursework. Our department's modest research group sizes foster close faculty-student collaboration. Dissertation findings frequently appear in prestigious peer-reviewed publications.
Cells represent life's essential organizational building blocks. Cellular biologists examine the structural and functional principles governing these fundamental units. Developmental biologists investigate cellular differentiation, communication, and temporal interactions during organism formation. Marquette's Cell and Developmental Biology researchers form a dynamic, collaborative team employing genetic, molecular, computational, and imaging techniques across model organisms including C. elegans, Drosophila, Arabidopsis, Chlamydomonas, and yeast. Current investigations encompass cell movement, extracellular matrix formation, mitochondrial development, and floral timing mechanisms in plants.