Marine Biology, PhD

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The doctoral degree in Marine Biology requires a comprehensive exam, submission of a dissertation, and a dissertation defense. PhD students in the Marine Biology Graduate Program are also required to document teaching experience (through a Teaching Assistantship, completion of MBIO 795 , or other approved teaching/mentoring opportunity) in addition to meeting all Graduate Division’s requirements for doctoral candidates. Applicants may be admitted to the PhD program with or without having completed a master’s degree in a related discipline.

Requirements with a prior MS in a related discipline:

For students admitted to the PhD program with a prior MS in a related discipline, the PhD requires:

MBIO 600 - Kūlana Noiʻi: Introduction to Place-Based Methodologies in Hawaiʻi Credits: 2 — With a grade of B or better
MBIO 800 - Dissertation Research Credits: V — Enrollment is required each semester after the student advances to candidacy through graduation
Completion of additional course work indicated by the dissertation committee.

Requirements without a prior MS in a related discipline:

For students admitted to the PhD program without a prior MS in a related discipline, the PhD requires a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits, maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0. At least 18 of the 30 credits must be graduate course work with a grade of B or better, including the following:

MBIO 600 - Kūlana Noiʻi: Introduction to Place-Based Methodologies in Hawaiʻi Credits: 2
One Statistics/Data Science Course (3-4 credits):
MBIO 612 - Data Science Fundamentals in R Credits: 3
OR OCN 682 - Data Science Fundamentals in R Credits: 3
OR OCN 683 - Advanced Statistics in R Credits: 3
OR ZOOL 631 - Introduction to Statistical Modeling in Biology Credits: 4

6 credits from this list:

MBIO 603 - Career Skills for Marine Biologists Credits: 1
MBIO 604 - Current Research in Marine Biology Credits: 1
MBIO 610 - Mathematical Ecology of Marine Systems Credits: 3
MBIO 611 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Fisheries Science Credits: 4
MBIO 612 - Data Science Fundamentals in R Credits: 3
MBIO 620 - Behavioral Ecology of Coral Reef Fishes Credits: 3
MBIO 621 - Respiratory Processes in Coral Reef Organisms Credits: 3
MBIO 630 - Remote Sensing Applications in Marine Science Credits: 3
MBIO 640 - Coral Reef Structure and Function Credits: 3
MBIO 650 - Marine Mammal Science and Conservation Credits: 3
MBIO 668 - People and the Sea: Exploring Multiple Perspectives for Coastal and Marine Systems Credits: 3
OR NREM 668 - People and the Sea: Exploring Multiple Perspectives for Coastal and Marine Systems Credits: 3
MBIO 695 - Place-Based Pedagogy for Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences Credits: 1
MBIO 710 - Topics in Marine Fisheries and Natural Resource Management Credits: V
MBIO 715 - Topics in Marine Conservation Biology Credits: V
OCN 626 - Marine Microplankton Ecology Credits: 4
OCN 627 - Ecology of Pelagic Marine Animals Credits: 4
OCN 628 - Benthic Biological Oceanography Credits: 4
OCN 630 - Deep-Sea Biology Credits: 3
OCN 680 - Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems: Biological-Physical Interactions in the Oceans Credits: 3
OCN 683 - Advanced Statistics in R Credits: 3
BOT 682 - Physiological Ecology of Marine Plants Credits: 3
ZOOL 625 - Evolution in Marine Systems Credits: 3
ZOOL 631 - Introduction to Statistical Modeling in Biology Credits: 4
HWST 631 - Pono Science: Ethical Implications of Science in Hawaiʻi Credits: V

Note:

Each course completed for a grade is eligible to fulfill one degree requirement. If the completed course fulfills the data science requirement, it is not eligible to fulfill a subject area requirement. See the program sheet for a complete list of courses that may meet the subject area requirements.

Other Graduate-level Courses

As agreed on by the dissertation committee and student, with the following conditions

Up to 4 credits of 400-level courses may count toward 18-credits of course work
Up to 4 credits of 1-unit seminar (e.g., MBIO 691x) may count toward 18-credits of course work
MBIO 699 /MBIO 700 /MBIO 800 do not count toward the 18 credits

For the remaining 12 credits of graduate research and/or graduate course work:

MBIO 699 - Directed Research Credits: V — Up to 6 credits may count toward 30-credit requirement
MBIO 800 - Dissertation Research Credits: V — 6 credits are required and may count toward 30-credit requirement
Enrollment in MBIO 800 is required each semester after the student advances to candidacy through graduation

Notes:

Please check the program’s website for the most up-to-date requirements, course offerings, and admission information at manoa.hawaii.edu/marinebiograd/.