Academic
Catalog August 2009 - August 2010 Undergraduate
and Graduate
For this 60-unit program, which involves completing a dissertation, you take:
45 units of coursework, beyond the bachelor's degree, covering the major principles of biology
at least 15 units of BIO 799, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved dissertation
(Please note that you may count only 15 units of dissertation credit toward your degree. However, doctoral students in biology end up taking an average of 36 units because you must register for BIO 799 each semester while you are working on your dissertation.)
In addition, we require that you:
have a reading knowledge of one foreign language or skill in statistics
perform satisfactorily on a comprehensive exam in your fifth semester
fulfill NAU's residency requirements
(Click here, Doctoral Requirements, for more information about residency and other requirements that pertain to this degree.)
pass the oral exam on your dissertation (dissertation defense)
Click here for information about our Biology graduate courses and faculty.