Table of Contents
How to Use This Guide
Think of this guide as your GPS for graduate school. While your journey through the College of Biological Sciences will be uniquely yours, this resource is designed to provide the coordinates you’ll need most often. Whether you are looking for a specific campus policy, searching for wellness resources, or trying to understand college-wide requirements, this is your first stop.
Your First Point of Reference
This guide serves as a central hub for general information. However, because biological research is so diverse, many specific details—like your specific course requirements or qualifying exam formats—live within your individual graduate groups. Throughout these pages, you will find direct links to those specialized groups and various campus offices. We encourage you to follow those links for the most precise, up-to-the-minute information tailored to your specific program.
The Human Element
As helpful as a guide can be, it’s no substitute for a real conversation. This document is meant to supplement, not replace, the invaluable relationships you will build here.
- Your Faculty Academic Advisors: They are your partners in scientific discovery and academic requirements.
- Your Graduate Program Coordinators: They are your advocates and navigators for the administrative side of your degree.
Please meet with them regularly. Whether you have a quick question about a milestone, need advice on your research trajectory, or just want to chat about how your quarter is going—reach out! Our staff and faculty are here because we believe in your potential, and we are genuinely invested in your success.
Stay Curious
The information in these pages will evolve just as our college does. We recommend bookmarking this guide and checking back whenever you feel a bit "lost in the weeds." We’re here to help you clear the path so you can focus on what you do best: pushing the boundaries of what we know about life.