PhD Program Schedule and Format

  • Students complete a master’s degree in the applied sciences at KGI OR similar master’s program with comparable learning objectives.
  • Completion of the PhD portion of the program is anticipated to require an additional three years of full-time study, with the possibility for extension depending on the particular research project.
  • PhD program start term can be either fall or spring.

For more information, please consult the PhD student handbook.

Selection of Dissertation Advisor and Committee

At the beginning of the PhD program, each student will select a committee that serves as mentoring team and includes the primary research advisor, an external advisor who is typically from industry or non-profit research organization, and at least one other committee member who can be from KGI or from an external entity. The research advisor(s) will supervise the student’s dissertation work. 

View a PDF of the PhD Dissertation formats. 

Coursework

Each semester during their PhD study, students enroll in the 1.5 unit course ALS503 Current Topics in Applied Life Sciences & Ethics/ Responsible Conduct of Research. Their research work and the tracking of all PhD research progress and milestones are tracked through the course ALS504 which is a 13.5 unit course each semester. Upon approval of their faculty advisor and the PhD Program Director, students may register (through the Registrar’s office) for additional courses that further their PhD research.

Program Learning Outcomes

After completing the PhD, students should be able to:

  • Apply rigorous research methodologies to original, independent experimental, theoretical, and/or computational work in applied bioscience.
  • Integrate the fundamentals of computational and informational science, engineering design, and biomolecular technologies to solve problems in applied life science.
  • Communicate effectively in an academic as well as in an industry environment composed of students, scientists, engineers, administrators and business professionals.
  • Demonstrate core business analysis and management knowledge needed for the bioscience industry and can assume leadership roles in realizing the goals of technical and business projects.
  • Develop both a broad understanding of current scientific advances and mastery in an area of interdisciplinary science of relevance to applied bioscience sufficient for conducting original research.
  • Understand the translation of basic science and engineering discoveries into products and processes, which benefit society.
  • Adhere to ethical principles in research, development and business issues inherent in the bioscience industries.