phd programs uc davis

Education (Ph.D.)

School of Education

• Doctor of Philosophy

Our Ph.D. program critically engages students in contemporary issues that impact education research, policy and practice. Emphasizing collaboration, the program is an interdisciplinary graduate group that draws its faculty from diverse fields of education, humanities, social science, physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and medicine, and engages with key campus centers and programs, such as the M.I.N.D. Institute and the Poverty Center. Graduates of our program gain deep knowledge of educational theory and practice related to strengthening schools and other educational settings. Our close proximity to California’s state capital of Sacramento also affords students a rich set of opportunities and networks for influencing education policy.

Graduate Program Requirements

Contact information.

2024-2025 General Catalog

Electrical & Computer Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy College of Engineering

Office & Contact Information

The Graduate Program in Electrical & Computer Engineering

M.S. and Ph.D. Electrical & Computer Engineering ; 530-752-8251

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering prepares graduate students to do meaningful research and acquire skills and insights vital to solving some of the world's most complex technological problems. Our graduate program offers a challenging and stimulating environment, covering optical, wireline and wireless communications, telecommunication networks, computer engineering, circuits, electromagnetics, physical electronics, optoelectronics, control, and signal processing. The depth of resources in the study of circuit design alone, with one of the largest faculty groups in the field in the UC system, distinguishes us from other programs, while our program in microwave communications and devices is unique.

The Electrical & Computer Engineering Graduate Program benefits from the highly interdisciplinary culture at UC Davis and attracts faculty from biomedical, chemical, electrical, computer, civil, and mechanical engineering, as well as computer science and mathematics.

Many of our graduates go on to leadership and technology management roles in industry, returning each year for our industrial affiliates meeting to network with other industry representatives, current students and faculty.

Generous financial support is available in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships and financial aid.

Research Highlights

• Communications, control, networking, and signal processing
• Computer engineering
• Electronic circuits
• Optoelectronics
• RF, micro- and millimeter waves
• Physical electronics

Research Facilities & Partnerships

• Center for Information Technology in the Interest of Society
• Northern California Center for Nanotechnology
• Center on Polymer Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• California Lighting Technology Center
• PlanetLab Consortium
• Sandia National Laboratory

Complete Information is on our website.

Quick Links +

Phd program.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree requires a thorough understanding of the foundations of physics and mathematical methods as evidenced by performance on the written Preliminary Exam and the oral Qualifying Exam, as well as submission of a dissertation which must include an original contribution to fundamental physics. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree.

Ph.D. students must complete the  graduate core courses  in classical physics (200ABC), statistical physics (219A), and quantum mechanics (215AB). Most students are also required to take either field theory (230A) or a third quarter of quantum mechanics (215C), with the choice usually depending on the student's planned research area. The required curriculum can be tailored to fit an individual student's preparation and needs. Students who have completed graduate classes elsewhere may have certain requirements waived, while students who have gaps in their undergraduate preparation or who have taken time away from school may begin their studies with advanced undergraduate courses. A faculty adviser consults with each incoming student about possible deviations from the standard coursework. First-year students must also enroll in the Colloquium (290), in which outside speakers give broad overviews of topics of current research, and an introduction to department research (295), in which UC Davis faculty members discuss their own research. Physics 295 is especially useful for students as they pick a specialization and Ph.D. adviser.

Each research area requires a  cluster  of more specialized classes, which students normally take during their second year of graduate school.

The  Preliminary Exam  is given twice a year, in Fall before the start of classes and during the Spring quarter. The exam covers Upper Division undergraduate physics, and students are expected to pass the exam by the end of their second year.

After beginning their research, students prepare for the  Qualifying Examination , which should be taken during the third year of graduate school.This exam consists of a research talk by the student and a question session. Questions often emphasize the candidate's broad field of specialization but can address any area. After the student passes the oral exam, the only remaining requirement is the dissertation itself.

Typical time for completion of the Ph.D. degree is five to seven years, although we see times outside range in both directions. The duration depends on the student's preparation, the research area, and how fully the student devotes him/herself to the work. Events outside the student's control can also have significant influence, from the weather during scheduled telescope time to problems with a particle accelerator.

Students making good progress towards their degrees usually have  funding  through teaching, research, or  fellowship  positions for their entire time in graduate school.

This  timeline  outlines the expected progress.

Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Ph.D. in Chemistry & Chemical Biology

• How to Apply
• Timeline to Degree
• Funding and Financial Support
• Diversity Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

Chemistry Department Brochure

Department of English

You are here

Ph.d. in literature.

Our PhD students are involved in a range of interdisciplinary and public initiatives. For example, some affiliate with interdisciplinary  Designated Emphases ; others have received grants to create  podcasts , convene interdisciplinary  working groups , or organize and annual graduate student conferences . Each year one student participates in a year-long exchange program with the  Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies  in Mainz, Germany; some have worked as Graduate Assistants and researchers for research centers such as the  Medieval and Early Modern Studies Program , the experimental media  Modlab , and the university’s  Datalab .

Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in English, as well as extensive pedagogical training and a range of teaching experience that includes writing and composition, as well as designing and teaching Introduction to Literature courses. Our Alumni Directory  includes titles of recent dissertations, as well as information about the diverse careers for which the PhD has helped prepare our graduates. There is an option to complete an MA in literature , but it is not a stand-alone program.

Questions? Contact:

Aaron Barstow Graduate Program Coordinator, Ph.D. Program in Literature [email protected]   (530) 752-2738 Pronouns: he/they

Admissions / Online Application

Degree requirements for the Ph.D. program   (links to more details) include 50 units of coursework with at least 44 units taken for a letter grade, proficiency in one foreign language proficiency before degree conferral, preliminary and qualifying examinations, and a dissertation. In addition, there are also opportunities for students to pursue a Designated Emphasis and gain teaching experience.

Coursework Requirements

2 Core Courses (8 units)

• English 200: Introduction to Graduate Studies (taken as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
• One survey course in literary theory (Critical Theory 200A or 200C taken for a grade).

1 Workshop (2 units)

• English 288: Prospectus Workshop (taken as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory); students may petition to complete this course independently with a Prospectus Adviser.

10 Graduate-level Seminars (40 units)

• All courses must be taken for a grade.
• Five courses must satisfy the breadth requirement (see below).
• Five courses will be comprised of electives (see below).
• Students may count one undergraduate 100-level course as one of their ten required courses.
• Aside from ENL 200, no course graded Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory may count as one of the twelve required seminars. Independent and group studies may not be taken for a grade.

13 Total Graduate Courses (50 units; 44 units taken for a grade)  Additionally, students who enter the Ph.D. program without a MA degree can earn one en route to the Ph.D. degree.

The English Ph.D. requires a reading knowledge of one foreign language before completing the degree; it is not an admissions requirement. This could be satisfied through previous or current coursework or an exam. Any of the following demonstrates proficiency:

Completion within the past eight years of 3 semester-length, or 4 quarter-length courses in a foreign language at the undergraduate level. Students must earn a passing grade, but courses may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Students may take the Placement Test offered by the UC Davis Language Center , testing out of the language at the intermediate level.

A Pass in the language exam offered in the English Department at the beginning of Fall or Spring quarter each year.

The breadth requirements must be fulfilled by coursework in the Department of English or coursework taught by English Department faculty.  Five courses (of the total 40 units above) will satisfy this requirement. Students must complete two Earlier Period courses, and two Later Period courses, and one Focus course. 

Earlier Period Courses Pre-1800; or Pre-1865 if the course focus is on American literature

Later Period Courses post-1800; or post-1865 if the course focus is on American literature

Focus Course Interdisciplinary, Identity, Genre, Other National, Method, Theory

Faculty and/or the Graduate Advisor may choose to designate a course as fulfilling more than one category, but students may use the course to fulfill only one requirement. For instance, a student could use a course on women in Early Modern literature to satisfy the Earlier Period requirement, or the Focus (Identity) requirement, but not both. A student could use a course on Cold War Drama to satisfy the Later Period requirement or the Focus (Genre) requirement, but not both.

The electives requirement can be fulfilled by actual offered seminars inside or outside the English Department.  Five elective courses will satisfy degree requirements. UWP 390 is acceptable as one of the electives. Also, be aware 299s are ungraded but still count towards overall units. With the approval of the Graduate Adviser, students may also enroll in a graduate class at another University of California campus through the Intercampus Exchange Program .

Students who enter the Ph.D. program with MA coursework from another institution may petition the Graduate Adviser for a Course Waiver up to three of the twelve required seminars; each approved petition will reduce the number of required courses by one. Students may not reduce their coursework to fewer than nine seminars.

Students holding an MA may also petition the Graduate Adviser for course relief for up to five of the breadth requirements; each approved petition allows the student to substitute elective courses. ENL 200 may not be waived or relieved.

For each waiver or relief request, students must submit to the English Graduate Office a Course Waiver or Relief Request form (available in the office) along with the syllabus from the course and the student's seminar paper.

Graduate students may participate in a Designated Emphasis (DE) , a specialization that might include a new method of inquiry or an important field of application which is related to two or more existing Ph.D. programs. The DE is awarded in conjunction with the Ph.D. degree and is signified by a transcript notation; for example, “Ph.D. in Literature with a Designated Emphasis in Native American Studies.”  More information .

In the Spring Quarter of the second year or Fall Quarter of the third year of graduate study, students take a Preliminary Examination in two historical fields and one focus field. Three faculty members conduct the oral examination, each representing one of the fields. Prior to taking the Preliminary Examination, students must have completed the following:

Introduction to Graduate Studies (ENL200)

Survey of Literary Theory (CRI200A or CRI200C)

Four of five Breadth Requirements

Four of five Elective Requirements

Additionally, students select one focus field. A student may devise her/his own focus list in collaboration with two faculty members or, as is more common, choose one from among the following:

Black Studies

Critical Theory

Disability Studies

Ecocriticism and Environmental Humanities

Film Studies

Media Technologies

Performance Studies

Postcolonial Theory

Psychoanalysis

Queer Feminisms

Queer Theories

Race and Ethnicity Studies

Science and Literature

Science Fiction

English 299 (Independent Study) is ordinarily used the quarters before the Preliminary Examination to prepare for the oral  examination and is graded Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory. Students may register for ENL 299 under the Graduate Advisor or a faculty member in the field of their exam for the quarter(s) they intend to study.

In the event that the student does not pass the exam, the exam chair will report the decision to the Graduate Adviser, who will work with the committee to decide whether the student should be given a chance to retake the exam (no less than six months later) or whether the student should be dismissed from the program. The Graduate Adviser will report this final decision to the student within 72 hours of the exam’s conclusion.

Any remaining requirements after taking the Preliminary Examination must be completed before scheduling the Qualifying Examination.

Students will select two historical fields from among the following list.   Students who would like to do non-consecutive historical fields need to get prior approval from the Graduate Adviser.  These lists and additional helpful documents can be accessed via our box folder "Preliminary Exam" in the English Graduate Program file.

The Qualifying Examination  happens as early as the spring of the third year and should be taken no later than the spring of the fourth year . The reading list for this exam, which is conducted orally, is constructed by the student in consultation with his or her three-person dissertation committee. When making their lists, students may consult the standard lists for preliminary exams available on the department's Box site. If the student has elected a designated emphasis (DE), materials from that field should also be incorporated into the Qualifying Exam reading list.

Graduate Studies requires the Qualifying Examination Application (GS319) to be submitted at least 30 days prior the the scheduled exam date.

Qualifying Examination Committee  The student, in consultation with their Prospectus Adviser and, if needed, the Graduate Adviser, nominates  four   faculty to serve on the Qualifying Examination Committee: 

• The three proposed Dissertation Committee members 
• One member must be from outside the English graduate program (this may be a member of the Dissertation Committee). 

The QE Committee is responsible for administering the exam. Neither the “Prospectus Adviser” nor the Dissertation Director (in many, though not all, cases these will be same) may be the chair of the QE Committee. Students with a designated emphasis (DE) must include one faculty member affiliated with the DE on both their qualifying and dissertation committee. DE paperwork must be approved before the QE application is submitted. The exam will focus on the Prospectus and the Qualifying Exam reading list. The bibliography of the prospectus will normally overlap substantially with the Qualifying Exam reading list.

The Qualifying Exam Report (GS343) must be submitted withing 72 hours of the exam. Upon successful completion, students receive the Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Plan B (GS321) .

If you are disabled, you are entitled to accommodations for all requirements of the program you’re enrolled in, a process formally handled by the Student Disability Center . We recommend starting the process of coordinating with the SDC early in your graduate school journey, as it can take time for the Center to process information.  We must work with the SDC to implement your accommodations for your exams.  Please indicate your need for accommodations to us as soon as possible, so we can include the Center in our exam scheduling process.  Please notify us by the fourth week of the quarter in which you intend to sit the exam.

The dissertation must be an original work of scholarship and/or interpretation. It may be critical, bibliographical, historical, or biographical in its subject. Students work with a dissertation director and consult with two official readers as well as with other faculty knowledgeable about the project. A dditional details . 

Ph.D. Program in Biostatistics

The Biostatistics Doctoral Program offers students a program which emphasizes biostatistical modeling and inference in a wide variety of fields, including bioinformatics, the biological sciences and veterinary medicine, in addition to the more traditional emphasis on applications in medicine, epidemiology and public health. This feature takes advantage of unique UC Davis strengths, including the unparalleled diversity of the UCD campus in the life sciences. Biostatistics group faculty are researchers with widely varying backgrounds, espousing a wide variety of methodological approaches. PhD Program Planner (pdf) Degree requirements , approved by Graduate Council on August 11, 2020 2020-21 Biostatistics Graduate Handbook(pdf) PhD Program Coordinator:  Andi Carr (abcar [email protected] )

Degree Requirements, Ph.D.

The Graduate Program in Biostatistics offers the Ph. D. degree under Plan C. According to this plan, the Dissertation Committee consists of three faculty members who guide the student in his or her research and pass upon the merits of the dissertation. The complete degree requirements are listed below.  

• Undergrad Preparation
• An undergraduate major in mathematics or statistics is typical for Biostatistics graduate students, but is not required. However, because of the mathematical nature of some of the graduate coursework, students should be able to demonstrate good mathematical ability. Students should also demonstrate some exposure to courses in the life sciences (biological, environmental, medical and agricultural sciences). The minimal background for entrance into the Ph.D. program is: a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 overall grade-point average; one year of calculus; a course in linear algebra; facility with a programming language; and upper-division work in mathematics and/or statistics. Applicants without this minimal background will not be considered for admission in the Graduate Group. For more information about the program's application requirements , please see our Admissions Page . Prerequisites In addition, applicants are expected to have the equivalent of the following UC Davis courses: MAT 25 (Advanced Calculus) and MAT 125A (Real Analysis) and MAT 167 (Applied Linear Algebra). Deficiencies Deficiencies should be made up by the end of the first academic year following initial enrollment by earning a letter grade of “B” or better.
• Program of Study

The program of study will be adjusted to individual needs by the Biostatistics Graduate Adviser. A minimum of 58 units is required. Every full time graduate student must register for a minimum of 12 units per quarter. These 12 units can be made up of a combination of required coursework as described below, additional elective coursework if any, and 299’s. The Course Requirements (58 units) for the Ph.D. degree are as follows: Required Statistics Courses (39 units) STA 231 A, B, C (Mathematical Statistics I-III, 4 units each) STA 232 A, B, C (Applied Statistics, 4 units each) STA 243 (Computational Statistics, 4 units) BST 290 (Biostatistics Seminar, for six quarters, 1 unit) STA 390 (Methods of Teaching Statistics, 2 units) STA 260 (Statistical Practice and Data Analysis, 3 units) The following course may be used to substitute the STA 243 course requirement: STA 141A. If STA 141A is substituted in this way, the substituting course cannot be used to simultaneously satisfy any other requirement. Biostatistics Core Courses (12 units) We note that all of these courses carry a data analysis component and include a computing laboratory. Students will be exposed to projects involving advanced data analyses to address complex life sciences problems. BST 222: Survival Analysis (4 units) BST 223: Generalized Linear Models (4 units) BST 224: Analysis of Longitudinal Data (4 units) Electives (7 units) Biostatistical & Methodological Electives (4 units) : One course chosen from: BST 225 (Clinical Trials, 4 units) BST 226 (Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics, 4 units) BST 227 (Machine Learning in Computational Biology and Genomics) BST 252 (Advanced Topics in Biostatistics, 4 units) STA 250 (Advanced Data Analysis, 4 units) STA 251 (Advanced Statistical Theory, 4 units) STA 237 A, B (Time Series Analysis, 4 units per course) STA 235 A, B (Probability Theory, 4 units per course) Life Sciences Courses (3 units): One course at the upper division or the graduate level in Biology or Life sciences. This course should be approved by the graduate advisor. The intention is to provide a base of knowledge in molecular, cellular, organismal, and population biology, epidemiology or environmental sciences. The students are strongly encouraged to take more courses in Biology, Life Sciences or Environmental Sciences that are relevant to their research. Selection of such courses should be made in consultation with the thesis adviser. For a full list of Life Sciences courses, please consult the Biostatistics handbook. Summary A minimum of 58 units is required; 51 units of core and 7 of elective coursework. All students are expected to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per academic quarter, which may include a combination of required courses, electives, and research units ( BST 299).

Biostatistical Practicum

Students will complete a practicum in the form of an interdisciplinary applied data analysis project. They will work in collaboration with any UC Davis faculty researcher (not required to be a member of the Graduate Group) who conducts studies or experiments which generate data in the medical, biological, veterinary medical, epidemiological, agricultural or environmental sciences, and who will serve as a mentor. The practicum will last a minimum of six weeks sometime before completion of the dissertation and will involve the analysis of original data. The student will prepare or substantially contribute to a project report. The practicum may be conducted as part of employment as a Graduate Student Researcher or as part of the dissertation research.

A report based on an internship of a duration of at least six weeks at a facility, government health office, institute or company outside of UC Davis focusing on biological or medical research can also be used to satisfy this requirement. In this case the mentor will reside at the institution where the internship is carried out.

Qualifying Examinations and Dissertation Requirements  

Preliminary Written Examination

The Ph.D. Preliminary Written Examination will be given at fixed times, typically at the beginning of each Spring Quarter, with 2 months notification in advance before the written examination will be offered. The exam has two parts: a theory component based on STA 231A and STA 231B and a biostatistics component based on BST 222 and BST 223. The exam components may be taken at separate times. The duration of each part is about 3-4 hours. Students in the Ph.D. program must take the theory component in the Spring Quarter immediately after they complete the STA 231A and STA 231B course series and the biostatistics component after they complete BST 222 and BST 223 core course series. A well-prepared student will take this exam during the first year of the program. Otherwise, they are expected to take the exam during the second year of the program in the Spring Quarter. If a student does not attempt the examination at the first time they are eligible to take the exam, it will be recorded as a failure. Every Ph.D. student needs to pass the examination in a maximum of two attempts. In case of failure at the first attempt, the second attempt must take place at the next time the examination is offered (usually the retake is given in the Fall quarter of the third year), and if a student does not attempt the exam at that time, it will be counted as a second failure. Two failures to pass the examination will result in a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies for disqualification of the student in the Ph.D. program.

The Ph.D. Preliminary Written Examination committees in charge may be different for each part of the exam. Pass or fail is determined separately by the exam committees for the statistical theory part and the biostatistics part of the exam. The chair of the GGB (Graduate Group in Biostatistics) will appoint an exam committee for two year terms that will be responsible for preparing, administering and grading the examination for the Biostatistics part of the exam. This committee will make the final decision on each student and forward its recommendation to the chair of the GGB.

Qualifying Exam

The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is an oral exam. The exam will be attempted as soon as the Ph.D. Preliminary Written Examination has been passed and all required coursework for the Ph.D. degree in Biostatistics has been completed. In accordance with university rules, students are requested to take their qualifying examination, within two quarters of passing the Ph.D. Preliminary Written Examination, but no later than the end of the third year (9th quarter) to remain eligible for academic appointments such as Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or Teaching Assistant (TA). The Master Graduate Adviser must submit the Application for the Qualifying Exam four weeks to Graduate Studies prior to the exam date; exams taken before receiving Office of Graduate Studies approval, may be deemed null and void. Students must be registered during the quarters in which they take any portion of their Qualifying Examination. To be eligible for the Qualifying Examination, the student must have:

A “B” average in all work done in graduate standing;

Satisfied all departmental or group requirements; and

Removed all academic deficiencies

The preparation for the exam will be done by working closely with the major professor through BST 299 (independent study) who is a regular member of the GGB. The exam committee consists of five faculty members, at least three but no more than four of which are members of the GGB. The Major Professor is not eligible to serve on the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination committee . The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination examines a student on the breadth and depth of knowledge expected from the coursework taken, and a special research topic in Biostatistics specified by the major professor in consultation with the exam committee. The primary purpose of the QE is to validate that the student is academically qualified to conceptualize a research topic, undertake scholarly research and successfully produce the dissertation required for a doctoral degree. A forty-five minute presentation on the specified research topic for the dissertation given by the student is followed by the qualifying examination session of 2-3 hours long, which covers questions on the special research topic as well as coursework in general. The examining committee will be appointed by Graduate Council at the recommendation of the Master Graduate Adviser who consults with the student prior to making the recommendation.

Graduate Studies guidelines for Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations apply. A student who passes the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is eligible for Advancement to Candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Title and abstract of the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination presentation will be distributed to all faculty and students of the Graduate Group in Biostatistics, who are invited to attend the 45-minute presentation portion prior to the qualifying examination session. The subsequent qualifying examination portion is a closed session between the student and the committee only. The student must file the appropriate paperwork with the Office of Graduate Studies and pay the candidacy fee to be promoted to Candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Qualifying Exam: Outcomes

• A committee, having reached a unanimous decision, shall inform the student of its decision as “Pass” (no conditions may be appended too this decision), “Not Pass” (the Chair’s report should specify whether the student is required to retake all or part of the exam, list any additional requirements, and state the exact timeline for completion of requirements to achieve a “Pass”). If a unanimous decision takes the form of “Not Pass” or “Fail”, the Chair of the QE committee must include in its report a specific statement, agreed to by all members of the committee, explaining its decision and must inform the student of its decision. Having received a “Not Pass” or “Fail”, the student may attempt the QE one additional time or fulfill the committee's requirements for "Pass." After a second exam, a vote of “Not Pass” is unacceptable; only “Pass” or “Fail” is recognized. Only one retake of the QE is allowed. A student who fails the QE on the second attempt will be recommended to the Dean of Graduate Studies for disqualification from the program.
• Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation is an essential part of the Ph.D. program. A topic will be selected by the student, under the advice and guidance of a Major Professor (thesis adviser) and a Dissertation Committee chaired by the Major Professor. Students are encouraged to begin some research activity as early as possible during the second year of their graduate studies. The dissertation must contain an original contribution of publishable quality to the knowledge of Biostatistics that may expand the theory or methodology of Biostatistics, or expand or modify Biostatistical methods to solve a critical problem in applied disciplines.

Acceptance of the dissertation by three designated members of the dissertation committee follows Graduate Studies guidelines (Plan C). The dissertation must be completed and submitted to the dissertation committee prior to taking the final examination described below.

Final Examination

• The entire dissertation committee will conduct a final oral examination, which will deal primarily with questions arising out of the relationship of the dissertation to the field of Biostatistics. The final examination will be conducted in two parts. The first part consists of a one hour presentation by the candidate followed by a brief period of questions pertaining to the presentation; this part of the examination is open to the public. The second part of the examination will immediately follow the first part; this is a closed session between the student and the committee and will consist of a period of questioning by the committee members. Title and abstract of the oral presentation will be distributed to all faculty and students of GGB, who are invited to attend the presentation portion of the examination.
• Ph.D. in Biostatistics Sample Study Plans
• Normative Time to Degree
• The normative time to degree is five to six years.
• PELP, In Absentia & Filing Fee Status
• Information about PELP (Planned Educational Leave, In Absentia (reduced fees when researching out of state), and Filing Fee status can be found in the Graduate Student Guide: http://www.gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/publications
• Leaving the Program Prior to Completion of the Ph.D. Requirements
• Should a student leave the program prior to completing the requirements for the Ph.D., they may still be eligible to receive the Master’s if they have fulfilled all the requirements (see Master’s section). Students can use the Change of Degree Objective form available from the Registrar’s Office: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/local_resources/forms/D065-graduate-major-degree-change.pdf

**For students that began the program prior and passed the Qualifying Exam prior to Fall 2018, please see the old degree requirements here **

Back to Top

Graduate Programs

Welcome to the Department of Plant Sciences graduate programs! Whether you’re a prospective student trying to find the college that best fits your interests, an enrolled student looking at alternatives to your current program, or simply love plants, you’ll discover that the Department of Plant Sciences is a great place to study.

Graduate programs available to students within the Department of Plant Sciences leading to Ph.D. and master's degrees include:

• Food Science
• Horticulture and Agronomy
• Integrative Genetics and Genomics
• International Agricultural Development  (M.S. only)
• Plant Biology
• Plant Pathology
• Soils and Biogeochemistry

Under the guidance of the graduate program's academic advisors, the program of a graduate student working with faculty in the department can be tailored to fit the student's personal needs and career goals while meeting graduate program and university requirements. Please see specific program for advisor information.  

• Prospective Students
• Make a gift to the School of Education
• Attend a credential program info session
• Know if my courses meet the prerequisite requirements for the teaching credential
• Find course schedules
• Learn more about the MA part of the Credential/MA program
• Learn about applying to the teaching credential program
• Know if the School offers a part-time, night or summer teaching credential program
• Learn about the cost of the Credential/MA program
• Learn about the Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD)
• Learn about the PhD program

Course Requirements

Phd timeline and milestones, phd advising, gge research seminars, financial support.

• Language, Literacy & Culture
• Learning & Mind Sciences
• Mathematics Education
• School Organization & Educational Policy
• Science & Agricultural Education
• Graduate Group Faculty

PhD About the Program

About the program, phd course requirements, course prerequisite methodology courses = 8 units.

EDU 114, Quantitative Methods in Educational Research, 4 units EDU 200, Educational Research, 4 units

Professional Induction Course = 4 units

EDU 291, Professional Seminar in Education, 4 units

Methodological Core Courses = 8 units

EDU 201, Survey of Qualitative Methods, 4 units EDU 204A, Quantitative Methods in Educational Research: Analysis of Correlation and Design, 4 units

There is no specific length of time associated with earning a PhD. Across disciplines and campuses, the average amount of time to earn the degree is between four and five years, although individual time varies widely.

PhD Advising & Mentoring

Each student in the program works with a graduate advisor, a faculty advisor, and a major professor.

PhD Mentoring Guidelines

Mentoring of graduate students by faculty is an integral part of the graduate experience.

Ph.D. Program in Education Mentoring Guidelines

Updated & Revised by Ph.D. Policy Committee, 10/15/07 Adopted by vote of the faculty, Date 10/23/07

GGE Research Seminar Schedule

The GGE offers a weekly research seminar featuring our faculty, students, and other speakers. We invite our community to participate in these seminars. 

Recorded sessions are added to the PhD Academic Programs Video website as they become available. Not all sessions are recorded.

Spring 2024 Schedule

Seminars are held in the School of Education Building, Room 174. Seminars begin promptly at 12:10 pm.

• Spring 2024 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Winter 2024 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Fall 2023 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Spring 2023 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Winter 2023 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Fall 2022 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Spring 2022 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Winter 2022 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Spring 2021 GGE Research Seminar Flyer
• Winter 2021 GGE Research Seminar Flyer
• Fall 2020 GGE Research Seminar Flyer
• Fall 2019 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Spring 2019 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Winter 2019 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Fall 2018 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Spring 2018 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Winter 2018 GGE Research Seminar Schedule
• Fall 2017 GGE Research Seminar Schedule

Meet our Alumni

2023 graduates.

Alicia Bencomo Garcia Serving Latina/o/x Undergraduates Through Graduation: An Examination of Organizational Retention Structures at Hispanic Serving Institutions

Chris Jadallah Power, positioning, and participation: Community- based watershed monitoring as a catalyst for learning and literacy toward socioecological transformation

Mayu Lindblad Chinese-English and Spanish-English Dual Language Learners? Bilingual Narrative Skills

2022 Graduates

Elizabeth Flores Latinx Student Experiences With Assessment and Placement at Community College

Amanda Lindell Environmental Science Identity & Learning Ecosystems for City Youth: The Role of People, Places, and Activities

Robert Linden Financial Incentives for California Community Colleges: Impacts on District Revenue, Student Financial Aid Receipt, and Degree Production

2021 Graduates

David Earwicker Asymmetric Expectations: Faculty Research Roles Under California’s Master Plan for Higher Education

Danielle Hagood How University Instructors See Student Engagement and Risk Status: Constructing Definitions with Information from Instructional Practices and Learning Management Systems

Alexandria Hurtt Access and Equity in California Schools: Three Investigations on the Distribution of School Inputs

The Graduate Group in Education is committed to offering financial support to our PhD students for at least four years of study through employment and/or fellowships that include a monthly salary/stipend and fee remission.

Jade Lee Presents “Who or What Do You Trust: The Boundary Between Interpersonal Trust and Technology Trust”

Two Graduate Students Selected for U.S. Department of Energy Research Program

• by Jessica Heath
• April 23, 2024

Abigail Hering and Hudson Shih, Ph.D. students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis, have been selected for this year's Office of Science Graduate Student Research, or SCGSR, program from the U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE. 

The SCGSR program provides opportunities for students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE laboratory or facility in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist. Hering and Shih are two of the 86 awardees from 57 different universities who will conduct their research at national laboratories. 

Abigail Hering

Hering, a third-year Ph.D. student, will be stationed at LBNL's Molecular Foundry, where she will work with Carolin Sutter-Fella, an LBNL staff scientist and expert in inorganic nanostructures, in her Materials for Energy Conversion lab to fabricate halide perovskite thin films using a fully automated robotic fabrication system called the SpinBot. 

In her research in the Leite Lab , led by Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Marina Leite , Hering has focused on characterizing the optical properties of halide perovskites, which are promising materials for a renewable, reliable and low-cost alternative for solar cells . However, halide perovskites can degrade faster than silicon solar cells when exposed to environmental stressors like humidity, temperature, oxygen and light. 

Using the SpinBot system, Hering will be able to fabricate more perovskite thin film samples with a higher degree of control and precision than she can at UC Davis. She will also be able to test the sample qualities immediately after creating them, creating large datasets that can then be analyzed using machine-learning models to predict and classify the degradations that occur. 

"I am very excited about the opportunity to work in Dr. Sutter-Fella's lab and to be part of the collaborative and innovative environment of a national lab," said Hering. "The unique SpinBot system will allow me to advance my research significantly to understand the long-term stability of these materials, which is essential to their implementation as commercial solar cells." 

Hudson Shih

Shih will conduct his residency at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, or LBNL, National Center for Electron Microscopy, or NCEM, where he will use high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, or TEM, to observe phase transitions in strontium cobaltite. 

Using advanced TEM techniques such as in-situ TEM and 4D-STEM, Shih aims to deepen the understanding of how oxygen diffusion facilitates the transition between transition phases, which could lead to informing the design of strontium cobaltite oxide-based memristors, themselves promising candidates for dense memory systems in neuromorphic computing.  

Shih, who is in his fourth year pursuing his Ph.D. under the advisement of materials science and engineering professors Yayoi Takamura and Seung Sae Hong , looks forward to working with the researchers at NCEM, who have the knowledge and expertise with these specialized techniques. 

"I am excited to work with experts like Rohan Dhall and Colin Ophus at NCEM who are among the best microscopists in the world," Shih said. "NCEM is known for its pioneering role in electron microscopy, particularly in deploying cutting-edge techniques like 4D-STEM."

Read the DOE announcement

Primary Category

EPM welcomes prospective students to campus

• by Jessica A Penrose
• April 23, 2024

Quick Summary

• EPM's Admitted Student Open House was held at the beginning of April and highlighted what UC Davis and EPM has to offer prospective students.

Each year, the EPM program welcomes prospective students to campus to showcase what makes UC Davis and the Graduate Program of Environmental Policy and Management unique. Highlighting Davis' proximity to Sacramento and EPM’s professional connections, this year’s Open House began with a tour of the Sacramento Capitol Building, led by Amy Gilson, Deputy Director of External and Legislative Affairs at the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The tour highlighted the historical aspects of the building and its functional uses today. We were also able to catch up with first-year student Morgen Snyder, who was at the Capitol presenting at a budget hearing on behalf of a nonprofit organization she volunteers with. 

Why UC Davis?

After the tour of the Capitol, we made our way back to campus for lunch, a program presentation, student and faculty panel followed by Happy Hour. During the program presentation, we highlighted the some of the many benefits of our program:

• Small cohort sizes 
• Close proximity to Sacramento
• Interdisciplinary faculty and coursework 
• Ability to specialize in a topical area of interest
• Professional opportunities
• EPM community of student, faculty, staff & alumni

You can see more information on degree outlooks here.

Student and Faculty Panel

The student panel was led by Rachael Alcala, chair of the EPM Social Committee; Alex Sanchez, treasurer of the EPM Social Committee and student representative on EPM's Executive Committee; JieQi Yan, Vice President of the Association of Environmental Professionals at UC Davis student chapter; and Isha Iyer , Chair of the EPM Student Diversity Committee. Students discussed topics such as housing, funding, opportunities to get involved around campus, and research. After the students finished, we began a faculty panel featuring Ryan Meyer, Jesus Barajas and Alessandro Ossola . They discussed their research, their perspective of the EPM program and how it interacts with other campus departments and institutions, and opportunities for students to be involved.

After the presentation portion of the event, we moved into a happy hour with current and prospective students, faculty and staff. Everyone was able to relax and chat over appetizers! 

We hope our Open House helped prospective students visualize their pathway here at UC Davis. We look forward to working with the incoming class of 2024 this Fall. Go Aggies!

If you'd like to take the next step in your career, schedule a campus visit or connect with EPM staff! 

Primary Category

Secondary categories.

College of Biological Sciences

Meet the 2023-24 cohort of uc davis prep scholars.

Diverse postbaccalaureate scholars will move into graduate programs across the United States

• by Evan White
• April 23, 2024

The UC Davis Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP@UC Davis) promotes diversity in biomedical sciences, preparing scholars for success in Ph.D. programs. 

Since its inception in 2017, PREP@UCD has supported students who seek to increase their maturity as scientists and researchers and reflects the UC Davis commitment to fostering a vibrant learning community. The program , which is funded by the US National Institutes of Health, with additional support from the College of Biological Sciences, relies on collaboration among faculty, postdocs, and graduate students who mentor scholars in host laboratories, which provides access to cutting-edge research tools and experiences. In addition, other faculty and graduate students from across the life sciences at UC Davis share their experiences with scholars in professional development panels.

“PREP empowers aspiring scientists with the tools and mentorship they need to thrive,” said Joanna Chiu, a professor of entomology and nematology, and the program’s director. “By fostering diversity and providing a supportive community, PREP catalyzes positive transformations in both individuals and the scientific landscape.”

Scholars spend 75% of their time on research in mentor labs, and 25% on professional development, including training in science communication. Tailored seminars and workshops refine skills important for a scientific career and foster a strong scientific identity in scholars.

A legacy of impact and excellence

This year, PREP@UCD bids farewell to its longtime coordinator Carole Hom, who is retiring after 38 years at UC Davis. During her tenure, Hom nurtured generations of scholars by facilitating their transition into graduate research. Her work focused on the recruitment and retention of students from historically marginalized groups, and has helped bridge the gap between undergraduate institutions and UC Davis through dynamic research training programs and enriching summer experiences. 

Said Dan Starr, a professor of molecular and cellular biology, and the co-director of PREP@UCD, “Carole’s mentorship has left an indelible mark on the program's legacy and throughout the environmental and life sciences at UC Davis. She will be missed, but we’re all thrilled to see her close out such a successful tenure on campus.”

“Carole’s retirement marks the end of an era,” said Mark Winey, dean of the College of Biological Sciences. “She can enjoy her retirement knowing that she has played a significant role in shaping the future of biomedical research, one scholar at a time.”

Meet this year’s PREP Scholars

Dianah Anderson

PI:  Gerardo Mackenzie , Department of Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Dianah Anderson graduated in 2023 with a B.S. in biology from Savannah State University and joined  PREP@UC Davis to enhance her preparedness for graduate school. Throughout the program, Anderson expressed a broad interest in studying nutrition while developing the necessary tools and skills to ensure success in both graduate studies and her future professional endeavors. In her eventual career, Anderson hopes to bring a diverse perspective rooted in her unique background and experiences as an African American woman. She will begin a Ph.D. in integrated life sciences at the University of Georgia in the fall with funding from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Andrew Barber

PI: Sean Collins, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Andrew Barber graduated from North Carolina Central University in 2023 with a B.S. in biomedical science. During his undergraduate education, he conducted research through the National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation program and as a McNair scholar, focusing on the toxicological effects of air pollutants and the neurological effects of alcohol dependency. Pursuing postbaccalaureate education in  PREP@UC Davis , Barber aimed to refine his scientific focus and enhance his research skills. As a PREP scholar, he delved into the molecular mechanisms of the immune system and solidified his aspiration to join a neuroimmunology graduate program. Barber aspires to address disparities in STEM representation and foster inclusivity within the scientific community. He will begin a Ph.D. in immunology at Johns Hopkins University in the fall, with support from the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative of Johns Hopkins University and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Ellianna Damozonio

PI: Wolf Dietrich-Heyer, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Ellianna Damozonio is a current biochemistry and molecular biology major at UC Davis. She joined PREP@UC Davis in the fall of 2023 as an undergraduate affiliate, which is an opportunity available to exceptional undergraduate students who excel in research and seek a biomedical Ph.D. As an affiliate of the program, Damozonio has gained valuable experience in advance of graduation. Damozonio conducts research on the DNA binding properties of BRCA2, which is responsible for the suppression of tumors in humans. After graduating from UC Davis in spring, Damozonio will join the cancer biology track of the UC Irvine Cell and Molecular program.

Daniela Hernandez 

PI: Anna La Torre, Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine

Daniela Hernandez graduated from California State University Fullerton with a B.A in psychology and a minor in cellular molecular biology. Joining  PREP@UC Davis provided both a supportive environment and alignment with her academic aspirations. Throughout her time in the program, Hernandez honed her scientific writing skills and boosted her confidence in communicating her research effectively. Driven by her experiences as a first-generation student from a historically marginalized community, she aspires to break down barriers and make science more accessible and relatable through outreach efforts. In the fall, she will begin a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences at the University of Michigan with funding from the Rackham Merit Fellowship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

PI:  Theanne Griffith , Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, School of Medicine

Emari Mann earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Claflin University and joined  PREP@UC Davis to pursue her passion for research. Throughout her time in the program, Mann explored areas of research within the biological sciences while maintaining interest in chemistry. For her,  PREP@UC Davis has been instrumental in clarifying her long-term academic and career goals. Looking ahead, Mann aspires to make meaningful contributions to the academic and professional communities she is a part of. She will begin a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Delaware in the fall with funding from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Cassandra Morris

PI: Dan Starr and Gant Luxton, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Cassandra Morris completed a B.S. in neuroscience in May 2019 at the University of Minnesota. In her postbaccalaureate career at UC Davis, she aimed to enhance her scientific communication skills and focus her research interests on exploring the intricacies of dystonia. Envisioning  PREP@UC Davis as a crucial stepping stone towards her long-term academic and career aspirations, Morris appreciated its role in honing her communication skills and fostering collaboration with peers, mentors and researchers across campus. Morris plans to study psychiatric disorders, and aspires to become a professor so that she can help mentor future scholars. She will begin a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology at the University of Wisconsin in fall 2024.

Christian Torres Lopez

PI:  Ben Montpetit , Department of Viticulture and Enology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Christian Torres Lopez earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University. Inspired by UC Davis's supportive environment, Torres pursued postbaccalaureate research experiences to further his academic pursuits. Recognizing the significance of earning a Ph.D. in the fulfillment of his professional ambitions, Lopez viewed  PREP@UC Davis as instrumental in providing graduate-level research experience as well as personal and professional preparation. As a first-generation college graduate, a member of the Latino community, and a member of the LGBT community, Torres brings a unique perspective to the research environment that is shaped by his experiences and cultural background. Torres will continue research as a PREP scholar in 2024-2025.

Cameron Vasquez

PI: John Albeck, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Cameron Vasquez earned a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from UC Davis, where he focused his research as an ADNR and CAMP scholar on the regulation of animal circadian rhythms. He was drawn to  PREP@UC Davis by a desire to delve deeper into his research interests surrounded by a supportive community, and sought to hone his skills for a successful transition to graduate study. As a PREP scholar, Vasquez conducted research on cellular responses to environmental stimuli using state-of-the-art imaging technologies. In addition to advancing our understanding of cellular biology processes implicated in health and disease, he also aims to foster diversity in STEM through outreach and mentorship. In the fall, he will begin a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences at the University of Michigan, with funding from the Rackham Merit Fellowship.

Media Resources

• Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at UC Davis

Primary Category

Secondary categories.

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at UC Davis

PREP Scholars Visit Redwoods

• by Daniela Hernandez
• April 24, 2024

The PREP scholars decided to explore a bit further past Davis and headed to Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz county! 

To explore the multitude of hiking opportunities in NorCal, we explored one of the 49 redwood state parks California has to offer. Not sure if we'll hit the other 48 anytime soon, but it's good to know they're there. 

We had a few goals when going into this hike: 

• encounter a banana slug
• avoid bears
• see a waterfall
• don't get lost. 

We accomplished all but one. 

Watch our video to find out which! 

Primary Category

Season 2 of the Buck podcast starts today! Learn more.

Simon Melov, PhD

Identifying molecular hallmarks of aging to guide the development of anti-aging therapies.

Why do we age? Despite more than 30 years of research in the genetics of aging and a much longer history interrogating the process more generally, we still don’t know the answer to this basic question. There has been some success in manipulating the lifespan of simple laboratory organisms and, to a lesser extent, mammalian systems such as the laboratory mouse. However, true insight into the mechanisms which modulate longevity elude us at present. Otherwise we would be able to make our favorite model systems with lifespans of a few weeks live for not just a month or two but potentially decades, all while remaining youthful and healthy.

The Melov lab takes a multidisciplinary geroscience approach to better understand the core mechanisms that drive aging. This includes a heavy reliance on multiple model systems, including invertebrate models, mammalian models (the laboratory mouse), human cell lines and tissues, and state-of-the-art genomic technologies that rely on heavy computational methods to better understand how cells and tissues change with age and/or pharmacological intervention.

Why it matters

We must constantly question our own models and data to gain genuine insights into the mechanisms that drive the degenerative changes arising from intrinsic aging processes. A key philosophy of the lab is that it is not enough to enhance healthspan through simple dietary or lifestyle interventions. We argue that such approaches merely fine-tune an organism to survive in its current environment. While worthwhile for generally improving health, such paradigms will do little to uncover the key drivers that limit lifespan. In contrast, we hope to develop novel multidisciplinary approaches in geroscience to develop therapeutics that are effective in reducing or ameliorating the cellular damage arising from endogenous aging processes. Such an approach will pay massive dividends to improve the health and longevity of a rapidly aging world.

Efforts to extend healthspan by delaying the aging process are moving from ‘impossible’ to ‘inevitable.’ The Buck Institute is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in this new area of medicine.

Center details, funding & support.

The Melov lab is pleased to acknowledge the generous support of the following major funders:

FACULTY BIO

Dr. Melov was the third faculty hire at the Buck Institute when it opened its doors in 1999 and currently serves as co-director of the Institute’s Mouse Phenotyping and Single-Cell Biology cores. An Australian, Dr. Melov obtained his bachelor’s degree in human genetics from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and then completed his PhD in biochemistry at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom. He carried out postdoctoral studies on the genetics of aging at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and on mitochondrial disease at Emory University in the Department of Molecular Medicine. He also holds adjunct appointments at the Andrus College of Gerontology, University of Southern California, and Dominican University of California in San Rafael.

Dr. Melov is facile in multiple aspects of aging biology, which is now termed geroscience. He has published more than 100 papers and has twice received the Glenn Award for Research in Biological Mechanisms of Aging. He was the first faculty member at the Buck Institute to receive a senior scholarship from the Ellison Medical Foundation. He was one of the founding editors of the highly respected journal Aging Cell and served as the inaugural and founding chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Oxidative Stress and Disease.

Dr. Melov has extensive experience in working with biotech and pharma, having received numerous competitive awards from this sector and accumulated broad experience serving as a consultant. He has also served on more than 30 study sections for the National Institutes of Health.

CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

Josef earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University in 2018. From 2018 to 2022, he worked as a Scientist in Vaccine Process Development at Merck contributing to the research and development of novel vaccine candidates. Josef entered the Buck-USC Biology of Aging program in 2022 and joined the Melov Lab in 2023. His current research focuses on muscle aging.

[email protected]

Asia Davis-Castillo completed her B.S. in biology with a concentration in human physiology at San Francisco State University, and her M.S. in biology at Dominican University of California. She is currently working on the BIT project, which involves multiple types of interventions, focusing on in vivo mouse work. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, baking, and spending time with her cats.

[email protected]

Sofiya Galkina is an MD from Donetsk, Ukraine. Before joining the Buck she worked at Gladstone Institute and UCSF's Department of Experimental Medicine. She was focusing on preclinical HIV studies and antiviral drug research, using a humanized mouse model. Her current role is to assist scientists with all kinds of tools available in the Mouse Phenotyping Core.

[email protected]

Elena Goncharova received her MS in biochemistry from Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Before joining the Buck Institute she worked in Myer Clinical Research as a Consulting Scientist. She was focusing on preclinical breast cancer studies using new treatment modality. Her current research is in relation to senescent cells.

[email protected]

Nicolas Martin is a comparative biologist with a background on lipidomics and mitochondrial metabolism. Nicolas completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wollongong, NSW in 2019. His doctoral research focused on the influence of dietary lipids on lifespan of female honey bees. Over the last few years, Nicolas' research has been targeting to experimentally test mechanisms that could explain the difference in lifespan between short-lived workers and long-lived queens. Workers live for 4-6 weeks while queens can live for years! Throughout his post-doctoral research at the Buck, Nicolas will investigate epigenetic regulations in female honey bees. We will use state of the art technology to explore how female honey bees can regulate the same genome to produce two distinct phenotypes. The honey bee represents a unique system that can provide a conceptual framework for understanding how environmental changes could influence epigenomic modifications and how those modifications affect transcriptional modulation.

[email protected]

Tommy completed his B.S in nutrition science with a minor in exercise biology at UC Davis in 2018. He worked under Keith Baar from 2018-2021 studying how nutrition, exercise and aging affect musculoskeletal function. His most recent work from UC Davis examined how the ketogenic diet mimics exercise and extends lifespan. His current work focuses on using single-cell technology to create an atlas of senescent bio-markers. In his free time he is a fitness enthusiast that likes to apply the science as a practitioner and test subject.

[email protected]

[email protected]

Lauren is a recent Master's graduate from Dominican University. She performed her thesis work through the Kapahi Lab, studying advanced glycation end-products and their role in diabetic complications. Lauren now continues studying methylglyoxal effects on feeding behavior and metabolic disorders in mammalian models as a Research Associate in the Kapahi Lab.

[email protected]

Selected Publications

• Melov, S. (2016 Apr 29). Geroscience approaches to increase healthspan and slow aging. F1000Res , 5(F1000 Faculty Rev), 785. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7583.1. PubMed PMID: 27158475.
• Brand, M. D., Goncalves, R. L., Orr, A. L., Vargas, L., Gerencser, A. A., Borch Jensen, M., Wang, Y. T., Melov, S., Turk, C. N., Matzen, J. T., Dardov, V. J., Petrassi, H. M., Meeusen, S. L., Perevoshchikova, I. V., Jasper, H., Brookes, P. S., Ainscow, E. K. (2016 Oct 11). Suppressors of superoxide-H2O2 production at site IQ of mitochondrial complex I protect against stem cell hyperplasia and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Cell Metab , 24(4), 582–592. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.08.012. PubMed PMID: 27667666.
• Fontana, L., Kennedy, B. K., Longo, V. D., Seals, D., Melov, S. (2014 Jul 24). Medical research: Treat ageing. Nature , 511(7510), 405–7. DOI: 10.1038/511405a. PubMed PMID: 25056047.
• Zykovich, A., Hubbard, A., Flynn, J. M., Tarnopolsky, M., Fraga, M. F., Kerksick, C., Ogborn, D., MacNeil, L., Mooney, S. D., Melov, S. (2014 Apr). Genome-wide DNA methylation changes with age in disease-free human skeletal muscle. Aging Cell , 13(2), 360–6. DOI: 10.1111/acel.12180. PubMed PMID: 24304487.
• Flynn, J. M., O’Leary, M. N., Zambataro, C. A., Academia, E. C., Presley, M. P., Garrett, B. J., Zykovich, A., Mooney, S. D., Strong, R., Rosen, C. J., Kapahi, P., Nelson, M. D., Kennedy, B. K., Melov, S. (2013 Oct). Late-life rapamycin treatment reverses age-related heart dysfunction. Aging Cell , 12(5), 851–62. DOI: 10.1111/acel.12109. PubMed PMID: 23734717.
• Kirkwood, T. B., Melov, S. (2011 Sep 27). On the programmed/non-programmed nature of ageing within the life history. Curr Biol , 21(18), R701–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.07.020. PubMed PMID: 21959160.
• Flynn, J. M., Choi, S. W., Day, N. U., Gerencser, A. A., Hubbard, A., Melov, S. (2011 Apr 1). Impaired spare respiratory capacity in cortical synaptosomes from Sod2 null mice. Free Radic Biol Med , 50(7), 866–73. DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2010.12.030. PubMed PMID: 21215798.

IN THE NEWS

The debate over whether aging is a disease rages on

Exercise: A gateway drug for living longer (2019 Levy Family Community Seminar)

Who Wants to Live Forever, the Wisdom of Aging.

What Happens When We All Live to 100?

Buck Institute study shows anti-aging drug improves function of heart in mice

Lifespan-extending drug given late in life reverses age-related heart disease in mice: Rapamycin

Determining Physiological Age - Biomarker Discovery May Be The Key

Exercise reverses aging in human skeletal muscle, the age of aging.

Issue 01 – Living forever

A lease on life

Experimental drug is found to triple life span of part of worm test group, support the buck.

We rely on donations to support the science that we believe will add years to people's lifespan and decades to their healthspan.

Keep up with our research. Sign up for our newsletter.

• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Jason and Travis Kelce take Cincinnati to ‘New Heights’

Cincy heroes, skyline chili, surprises abound on an unforgettable night at uc.

After a night full of surprises, the biggest one of all was for Jason and Travis Kelce.

The NFL stars and UC alumni brought their “New Heights” podcast to the University of Cincinnati for a live show Thursday night. And while the brothers are proud Bearcats, neither had crossed the stage at commencement to receive their degrees in person.

After an evening full of fun twists and turns and special guests, the Kelces themselves were surprised when President Neville Pinto and Athletic Director John Cunningham came out to host an impromptu graduation ceremony just for them.

It might have been the first commencement where a graduate quoted the Beastie Boys and downed a beer onstage.

Jason Kelce gives a spirited speech at the impromptu graduation ceremony at the end of the event. Photo/Kelly Bennett

Fans pack arena after last-minute venue change

After a venue change to avoid rainy weather in Nippert Stadium, a sold-out crowd of 12,500 students and supporters filled Fifth Third Arena Thursday, with many lining up outside the venue early in the morning to secure the best seats. While the new location doesn’t hold the same significance to the Kelces that Nippert would have, it was a great venue for the lengthy event — doors opened at 5 p.m. and the show ended around 11 p.m.

Fans packed the arena decked out in gear representing the Bearcats, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals — podcast guest and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow being a draw for many.

Among the students was sophomore Marcus Elliott, who can often be found sporting Chiefs apparel, even when Travis Kelce is not in the same room.

Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Photo/Sean Hughes/UC Marketing + Brand

Above left to right: Elliott shows his Kansas City pride on Decision Day 2011, in CVG airport and on a service-learning trip in Tanzania.

In 2021 when UC officials surprised Elliott at his home with a full ride to UC , it was clear that while he was excited to be a Bearcat, he’s a Chiefs fan through and through.

He’s a longtime fan of cornerback Darrelle Revis, who ended his career with the Chiefs, and has been following Kansas City ever since.

So there was no way he was missing out on “New Heights.” He describes the experience as surreal.

“The event was great and a lot of fun,” Elliott says. “I went with my friend who is a Bengals fan, and we have a nice team rivalry.”

Travis Kelce (center bottom) takes a selfie with hundreds of students. Photo/Kelly Bennett

Throwback footage of the brothers from their UC days and clips from their podcast played on the jumbotron before the event began. But this audience needed no warming up.

Excitement and Cincinnati pride was palpable.

Academics and student-athletes face off in Great ‘Lombaby’ Games

Around 8 p.m., Travis and Jason took the stage to introduce the first-ever Great Lombaby Games. Jason said he was Inspired by the movie “Revenge of the Nerds” to host a series of challenges for students, jocks versus nerds — or rather, student-athletes versus academics.

Students selected from across majors and sports faced off in pursuit of the Lombaby trophy, a giant, 100-pound baby (and nod to the Super Bowl’s Vince Lombardi Trophy) with a gold cup.

In the tradition of athletic events, the games began with the national anthem. Photo/Kelly Bennett

The arena transformed into something out of Nickelodeon's “Double Dare,” with obstacle courses, a mechanical bull and inflatable pools filled with Skyline chili.

The brothers introduced the two teams of students, who competed in a series of twisted games. Travis and Jason provided live color commentary as students answered trivia questions on a mechanical bull and pinned the mustache on Kansas City coach Andy Reid.

Two students had to run sprints across the court between scarfing cheese coneys — it was their first time trying the Cincinnati delicacy. An unfortunate introduction, indeed.

Ultimately it was the academics who prevailed.

While the podcast recording was the main event, the games were certainly a highlight. The Kelces were clearly having a blast, interacting with students and fans and keeping the energy sky-high.

Team Academics clinches the win. Photo/Kelly Bennett

Photo/Abdoul Sow

Photo/Kelly Bennett

Giving back to students at the heart of the event

The night brought more than just fun and games — it was an opportunity to give back. Organizers say Jason and Travis were adamant about providing free tickets to students (there was an online lottery for tickets) and donating proceeds to UC student-athletes via Cincy Reigns, UC’s official Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective.

“Student-athletes specifically benefited from the exposure of Cincy Reigns, and the generosity of Travis and Jason,” says UC Athletics Deputy AD Anthony Di Fino. “They had a firm belief that this event should support NIL to ensure top athletes from around the country can see that Clifton offers a great experience at the highest levels of college athletics.” 

Before the event, the Kelces met with the Bearcats football team and announced a $10,000 scholarship for walk-on defensive lineman Ben Blevins. 

Jason and Travis Kelce presented UC student Ben Blevins with a scholarship check. Photo/Isabella Marley

“Travis and I are incredibly honored,” Jason told reporters that afternoon, “and it’s crazy that we’re put in position to do stuff like this.”

That night they brought Blevins onstage, presented him with an oversized check and played a video message from retired NFL quarterback Drew Brees. 

Brees is a co-owner of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux Restaurant, which is sponsoring 13 scholarships to walk-on athletes as a tribute to Jason’s 13-year career, which began as a walk-on at UC.

NFL reunions abound for ‘New Heights Live’

After a brief intermission, it was time for the main event. Introducing the Kelces via video was none other than Cincinnati mayor and fellow UC alum Aftab Pureval. 

Pureval and Travis had a bit of a light-hearted spat earlier this year after the mayor playfully trash-talked the Chiefs ahead of their championship game against the Bengals. When the Chiefs won, Pureval walked back his comments and Travis famously called him a “jabroni,” quoting Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. 

“Don't be a jabroni,” Pureval said in the video, “make some noise and let’s welcome ‘New Heights Live!’”

The crowd cheered and pyrotechnics blasted as Travis and Jason came out once again. Jason changed from jeans to shorts for some reason.

Most of us are used to podcasts having ads and this one was no different. The guys promoted the newest menu items from Subway before launching what appeared to be dozens of footlong sandwiches into the crowd with T-shirt guns. Thankfully they turned out to be T-shirts wrapped up like subs, so turkey and lettuce weren’t raining from the sky.

If you did want a free sandwich, their mom Donna Kelce — who’s become something of a star in her own right over the past year — was handing out Subway sandwiches before the event.

The show’s first guest, who was not announced before the show, was Desmond Ridder, a 2022 UC grad, record-breaking former Bearcats quarterback and current QB for the Arizona Cardinals.

Desmond Ridder chats with Jason and Travis during the show. Photo/Kelly Bennett

Ridder dished on his favorite dining hall (Stadium View) and local date spot (Mr. Sushi) before sharing some of his favorite UC memories. 

When he received a scholarship offer to UC, Ridder was at Churchill Downs in his native Louisville, Kentucky. It was loud amongst the crowds and horse racing, and he needed to find a quiet spot to take the important call. 

“That happened to be a porta-potty,” he said. 

Next to the stage was Bengals offensive lineman and Travis’ former Chiefs teammate Orlando Brown Jr. He shared his football journey from a 6-foot-6, 400-pound eighth grader to a Super Bowl champion. 

The arena erupted for the final guest of the podcast, Joe Burrow.

The juxtaposition of Burrow’s chill demeanor (there’s a reason they call him Joe Cool) with the hyped-up party-boy energy the Kelces bring made for many entertaining interactions, particularly between him and rival Travis.

The guys pulled up some of Burrow’s old tweets, prompting him to share his opinions on everything from NFL taunting (there shouldn’t be a rule against it) to aliens (they exist, but he wants to see proof).

Joe Burrow and Orlando Brown Jr. join the guys for the show. Photo/Kelly Bennett

Burrow recalled being moved by Jason’s speech after winning Super Bowl LII. Around that time, Burrow was leaving Ohio State to consider other options, and Jason texted him, encouraging him to consider UC. Ultimately Burrow ended up at Louisiana State University, but he never forgot the kindness Jason showed him during what Burrow described as a difficult time.

One special guest not in attendance was Taylor Swift, whose relationship with Travis has been headline fodder for the past several months. The superstar still had a presence at the event, though, from fans sporting her merch to Swift’s songs playing throughout the evening — Travis even danced to her hit, “Shake it Off.” Within 48 hours of the UC event, the couple was spotted in the crowd at the Coachella music festival in Indio, California. Swift even sported a New Heights hat.

The sweetest sendoff: A surprise graduation ceremony

As the show came to a close, Athletic Director John Cunningham came out to thank the guys for an evening to remember, hinting at one last surprise for them and their families.

“You’re both graduates of the University of Cincinnati, but neither of you have participated in a ceremony,” Cunningham said.

President Neville Pinto then entered the arena in full commencement regalia, garnering perhaps the loudest cheer of the night and certainly the warmest welcome a university president has ever received.

Caps and gowns were brought out for Jason and Travis, and parents Donna and Ed Kelce joined their sons onstage.

It was a perfect end to a phenomenal event.

Anthony Di Fino UC Athletics Deputy AD

Cue the confetti! Photo/Kelly Bennett

Travis claimed that he was not allowed to walk at his graduation ceremony in 2012 because of an outstanding equipment issue — he lost his helmet and was unable to turn it in. Leadership presented him with that missing helmet onstage.

“To all my fellow students, before we make this thing official, I thought I’d give you guys some advice:

“You gotta fight for your right to party!”

After the quickest commencement program of all time, the brothers turned their tassels and accepted their diplomas — one from the College of Arts & Sciences for Travis and one from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business for Jason.

“Don’t forget to get your degrees on the way out,” Travis said.

He's just being Travis. Photo/Kelly Bennett

The surprise was a highlight for the Kelces and spectators alike.

“My favorite part of the night was seeing the Kelce brothers graduate,” says student Marcus Elliott. “That was an extremely special moment.”

“It was a perfect end to a phenomenal event,” adds Deputy AD Di Fino.

As the confetti fell, both Jason and Travis teased a return visit in the future:  “Let’s do this thing again soon!”

Judging by the raucous response from the crowd, Cincinnati is certainly game.

The Kelce brothers share an emotional moment with their parents. Photo/Kelly Bennett

After the event, Travis, Jason and Joe Burrow were spotted together at Uncle Woody’s, a stalwart watering hole just off campus.

Even days later, the impact and buzz from the night can still be felt on campus.

“The energy remains high and the excitement from the event is still lingering,” says Di Fino. “The amount of fans, staff and those that had no connection to campus who traveled in have not stopped reaching out letting us know it was one of the best events they can remember being a part of. For the 12,500-plus in the building, certainly it will be a memorable Bearcat moment. It has raised the bar for future events.”

Featured image at top left to right: Ed, Travis, Donna and Jason Kelce celebrate the brothers' impromptu graduation ceremony. Photo/Isabella Marley

Become a Bearcat

Whether you’re a first-generation student or from a family of Bearcats, UC is proud to support you at every step along your journey. We want to make sure you succeed — and feel right at home.

• Alumni Association
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Student Experience
• Lindner College of Business

Related Stories

April 16, 2024

UC alumni Jason and Travis Kelce returned to UC for an unforgettable evening that included the Great "Lombaby" Games, a live recording of their podcast "New Heights," special guests Joe Burrow, Orlando Brown Jr. and Desmond Ridder and a surprise commencement ceremony.

'Unforgettable weekend': GameDay, Homecoming help Bearcats make memories

November 9, 2021

The University of Cincinnati was in the national spotlight with ESPN’s College GameDay and Good Morning America featuring the UC Bearcat football team's rise in football ranking. UC defeated the University of Tulsa on the football field during Homecoming.

UC alumni find the loves of their lives at UC

February 10, 2023

For four UC alumni couples, a love that began in college continues today, enriched and beribboned by Bearcat ties that lovingly bind.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Important Updates

• The priority filing date for the 2024-25 FAFSA and CADAA has been extended to May 2, 2024 . Visit Apply for Financial Aid for details.
• The Department of Education has announced they will send information from the 2024-25 FAFSA to schools in mid-March. This may result in a delay in financial aid packaging and offers for the 2024-25 academic year. While awaiting your financial aid offer, we encourage you to utilize the UC Davis Financial Aid Estimator  to estimate your potential aid.

Tuition Assistance Programs

Blue and gold opportunity plan.

For undergraduate students whose family earns less than $80,000.

UC Davis Aggie Grant Plan

For undergraduate students whose family earns between $80,000 and $150,000.

Middle Class Scholarship

For undergraduate students whose family earns up to $217,000.

UC Native American Opportunity Plan

For California students enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and/or Alaska Native tribes.

UC Davis Graduate Studies

The 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Application is open!

Thank you for your interest in graduate study at UC Davis! Be sure to check out our application deadlines and we look forward to reviewing your application!

About the UC Davis Graduate Admissions Application

Review the pages below to learn all about the admissions process overview and what to expect on the application.

• Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
• Admissions Process Overview
• Application Components

Your Application Checklist

Below you'll find all the components you need to submit a complete UC Davis graduate admissions application. Yo u can save your application and return to it at any time before submitting your final application.  We recommend submitting all of your application components, including test scores and transcripts, by your program’s deadline . 

Follow the checklist below to ensure you’ve submitted a complete application. 

• Complete the UC Davis online application.
• Confirm you have requested and submitted three letters of recommendations.
• Submit your personal history and diversity statement.
• Submit your s tatement of purpose.
• Upload unofficial academic transcripts from all prior institutions. 
• Pay the application fee.
• Submit any additional program-specific application components. 
• Send any required test scores to UC Davis.