Program Requirements for Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2011-2012 academic year.

Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology

College of Letters and Science
Interdepartmental Program

Graduate Degrees

The Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Program offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology.

Admission

Program Name

Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology

Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology is an interdepartmental program. Interdepartmental programs provide an integrated curriculum of several disciplines.

Applicants may apply to the Ph.D. program either directly or through UCLA Access to Programs in the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences

Address

122 Hershey Hall

Box 957246

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1527

Phone

(310) 825-3891

Email

mcarr@physci.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

Ph.D.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Deadline to apply

December 15th

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General and Subject in Biology or in the applicant’s undergraduate major

MCAT scores may be submitted by applicants with MDs.

Letters of Recommendation

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit an essay describing academic background, work experience, motivation for research, and career goals.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a biological or physical science. Applicants are generally expected to have completed university coursework in mathematics through calculus, college physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. Courses in cell and molecular biology are recommended. If an applicant lacks preparation in a recommended course, but has an otherwise outstanding academic record, the applicant may be admitted to graduate status provided that the deficiencies are corrected.

In addition to requirements listed above, applicants must submit transcripts of all university coursework.

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient capability to understand and communicate in English to be able to successfully complete graduate education.

Selected applicants will be invited to interview with selected members of the faculty and graduate student representatives. The graduate program committee makes admissions decisions based on application information, recommendations of the interviewers, availability of appropriate training faculty, and availability of financial support for the applicant.

STAR program participants are admissible to the Ph.D. program if their research mentor is on the training faculty of the interdepartmental program.

Master’s Degree

None.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

First year students are advised by a faculty adviser who is appointed by the Graduate Program Committee representing one of the three program subdisciplines (biophysics, cellular and molecular physiology, or integrative/comparative physiology). First-year advisers counsel students on laboratory rotations, choice of research mentors, and coursework.

By the end of Spring Quarter of the second year, students are expected to form an advisory committee. The advisory committee consists of a minimum of four faculty, including the student’s anticipated dissertation adviser, who are qualified in the student’s selected subdiscipline. The duties of the advisory committee are to evaluate the feasibility and adequacy of the planned dissertation project for satisfying the requirements for the doctoral degree. The advisory committee should also be attentive to the professional development of the student, and be available to serve a professional advisory role throughout the student’s training.

The student’s advisory committee usually becomes the doctoral committee, although the student or committee members may elect to change the committee composition to best reflect the expertise required for advising and analysis of the dissertation. The doctoral committee should be selected by the Winter Quarter of the third year. In addition to the general advisory role of the doctoral committee, its duty is to administer the University Oral Qualifying Examination, the midstream oral presentation, and the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation), as well as to read, approve, and certify the dissertation.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

These include biophysics, cellular and molecular physiology, and integrative/comparative physiology.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students who matriculate directly into the program are required to complete approved graduate coursework in molecular biology, cellular biology, research ethics, and physiology during their first year. Students admitted through the ACCESS Program will have satisfied the program’s first-year course requirements for molecular biology, cellular biology, and research ethics by completion of the ACCESS curriculum. Students who have completed professional or graduate degrees (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., M.S.) prior to admission to the program may be exempted from required first-year coursework if they have completed substantially similar courses elsewhere. Students also are required to complete one seminar each quarter of their first year of enrollment.

During the second year students are required to complete one didactic course in their subdiscipline. The second-year course must be related to the student’s research interest and must be approved by the student’s adviser and the Graduate Program Committee. In addition, each student must take a total of three seminar courses during the second and third years. At least one of these three seminars must be taken during the second year. The remaining units necessary for completion of the degree are fulfilled through research training (596), preparation for qualifying examinations (597), and dissertation research (599).

Teaching Experience

Students are expected to complete a minimum of two quarters as a teaching assistant in coursework approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Advanced students, such as participants in the STAR or MSTP programs, or students who already hold the M.S. degree, may be exempted from the teaching requirement. The teaching requirement ordinarily will be completed in the second and third years of graduate study.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass University written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations the University oral qualifying examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to University requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

The written qualifying examination must be completed by the end of Winter Quarter of the second year. Students are required to write a National Institute of Health (NIH)-style grant proposal that is approximately one-half of the length of a standard NIH proposal. Each student independently selects the topic of the research proposal, designs the hypotheses to be tested and formulates the experimental approach. The topic of the proposal requires approval in advance by the student’s advisory committee and by the IDP Steering Committee. Although the topic and hypotheses are to be selected by the student, the student is free to consult with other individuals in formulating the experimental approach. The topic for the proposal may not be the anticipated dissertation research topic, and may not be an active or anticipated research project in the laboratory of the student’s mentor. The examination is graded pass/fail by the IDP Steering Committee. Students who do not pass the examination are permitted one re-examination by the same committee in the same examination format on a date no later than the end of Spring Quarter of the second year.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination must be completed before the end of Fall Quarter of the third year. Students prepare a written description of the scientific background of the dissertation research project, the specific aims of the project, a description of preliminary findings and an experimental plan for addressing the specific aims. The dissertation proposal is then submitted to the student’s doctoral committee in advance of the examination. The examination consists of an oral presentation of the proposal by the student to the committee. The student’s oral presentation and examination are expected to demonstrate: (1) a scholarly understanding of the background of the dissertation proposal; (2) well-designed and testable aims; (3) a critical understanding of the technical applications to be employed in the dissertation; and (4) an understanding of potential experimental outcomes and their interpretation.

No later than 12 months following the University Oral Qualifying Examination, students are required to give a midstream oral presentation of their dissertation research progress to their doctoral committee. The purpose of the presentation is to monitor the student’s progress, identify difficulties that may occur in progressing toward successful completion of the dissertation and, if necessary, to approve changes in the dissertation project. The presentation is not an examination. The student’s dissertation adviser is required to summarize the committee recommendation in writing for inclusion in the student’s file.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Normative time-do-degree is specified as five years for those students entering with a bachelor’s degree only. Students who enter with an M.D. or M.S. degree in a relevant discipline are expected to complete the degree in three years.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

None.

Program Requirements for Civil and Environmental Engineering

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Civil Engineering.

Admission

Program Name

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is a major offered by the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Address

5732-A Boelter Hall
Box 951593
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1593

Phone

(310) 825-1851

Email

ceeapply@seas.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.S., Ph.D.

Admission Limited to

Consult department for deadlines.

Deadline to apply

December 15th

Applications received after the deadline cannot be considered for financial aid but may be considered for admission on a space-available basis. Applications from international applicants received after December 15th will not be considered for admission due to insufficient time for processing of application and visa materials.

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General

Letters of Recommendation

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose.

M.S.: Applicants are expected to hold a B.S. degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or equivalent.

Ph.D.: Applicants normally should have completed an M.S. degree program with at least a 3.25 grade-point average, and hold a B.S. degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or equivalent. Normally the M.S. degree is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. Exceptional students, however, may be admitted to the Ph.D. program directly.

Master’s Degree

Advising

Each department in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has a graduate adviser. A current list of graduate advisers can be obtained from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to the department. Advisers may be changed upon written request from the student. All HSSEAS faculty serve as advisers.

Provisionally admitted students meet with the program adviser upon matriculation to plan a course of study to remove any deficiencies.

New students should arrange an appointment as early as possible with their faculty adviser to plan the proposed program of study toward the M.S. degree. Continuing students are required to confer with the adviser during the time of enrollment each quarter so that progress can be assessed and the study list approved.

Based on the quarterly transcripts, student records are reviewed at the end of each quarter by the departmental graduate adviser and the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. Special attention is given if students were admitted provisionally or are on probation. If their progress is unsatisfactory, students are informed of this in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Students are strongly urged to consult with the departmental student office staff and/or the Office of Academic and Student Affairs regarding procedures, requirements and implementation of policies. In particular, advice should be sought on advancement to candidacy for the M.S. degree, and on the use of the Filing Fee.

Areas of Study

Civil engineering materials; environmental engineering; geotechnical engineering; hydrology and water resources engineering; structural mechanics; and structural/earthquake engineering.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

There are two plans of study that lead to the M.S. degree, the comprehensive examination and thesis plans. For both plans, at least nine courses are required, a majority of which must be in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. At least five of the courses must be at the 200-level. In the thesis plan, seven of the nine must be formal 100- or 200-series courses. The remaining two may be 598 courses involving work on the thesis. In the comprehensive examination plan, 500-series courses may not be applied toward the nine-course requirement. A minimum 3.0 grade-point average is required in all coursework.

Each major field has a set of required preparatory courses which are normally completed during undergraduate studies. Equivalent courses taken at other institutions can satisfy the preparatory course requirements. The preparatory courses cannot be used to satisfy course requirements for the master’s degree. Courses for the master’s degree must be selected in accordance with the lists of required graduate courses and elective courses for each major field listed below.

Undergraduate Courses. No lower division courses may be applied toward graduate degrees. In addition, the following upper division courses are not applicable toward graduate degrees: Chemical Engineering 102A, 199; Civil and Environmental Engineering 106A, 108, 199; Computer Science M152A, 152B, M171L, 199; Electrical Engineering 100, 101, 102, 103, 110L, M116L, 199; Materials Science and Engineering 110, 120, 130, 131, 131L, 132, 140, 141L, 150, 160, 161L, 199; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 102, 103, 105A, 105D, 199.

Civil Engineering Materials

Required Undergraduate Preparatory Courses. General chemistry and physics with laboratory exercises, multivariate calculus, linear algebra and differential equations, introductory thermodynamics. Other undergraduate preparation could include additional courses in: civil engineering (CEE 104, 120, 121, 135A, 142, 140L) and materials science (MSE 104).

Required Graduate Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering (Select any two of the following):, C204, 226, 253, 258A, 261B, M262A, 263A, 266, 267, 298.

Other Elective Courses (Remaining courses may be selected from the following): CEE: 110, 154, 155, 157B, 157C, 163, M166, 135C, 153, 220, 224, 226, 230A/B/C, 235A/B/C, 242, 243A/B, 254A, 258A, 261, 267; Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: 102A, 102B, 200, C219, 223, 230, 270; Chemistry and Biochemistry: 103, 110A, 110B, 113A, C213B, C215A, C215B, C215C, 215D, C223A, C223B, 225, C226A, C275, 276B, 277; Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials: M210, M215, M216, M236, M250; Materials Science and Engineering: 110, C111, 130, 131, 200, 201, 210, C211, 270; Mechanical Engineering: 101, 105A, 131AL, 133A, 156A, C232A, 256F, 261A, 261B, 296A, 296B; Statistics: 201A

In total there must be at least four graduate courses.

Environmental Engineering

Required Preparatory Courses. Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L; Mathematics 32A 33A; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 103, 105A; Civil and Environmental Engineering 153; Physics 1A/4AL, 1B/4BL.

Required Graduate Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 254A, 255A, 255B, 266.

Major Elective Courses (A minimum of two courses must be selected). Civil and Environmental Engineering 110, 154, 155, 157B, 157C, 163, M166, 226, 253, 258A, 261B, M262A, 263A, 266, 267, Engineering 103.

Other Elective Courses (Remaining courses may be selected from the following). Biostatistics M220, Civil and Environmental Engineering 150, 151, 250A, 250B, 250C, 250D, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 252, 260, M262B; Chemical Engineering 101C, 106, 210, C218, 220, C240; Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B, CM227; Computer Science 270A, 271A, 271B; Earth and Space Sciences C206, C209, C213; Electrical Engineering 236A, 236B, 236C; Environmental Health Sciences 212, C225, C240, C252D, 255, C264, 410A, 410B; Statistics 201A. Other elective courses may be substituted with the approval of the student’s academic adviser and the graduate adviser.

Geotechnical Engineering

Required Preparatory Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 108, 120, 121.

Required Graduate Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 220, 221, 223, 224.

Major Elective Courses (A minimum of three courses must be selected). Civil and Environmental Engineering 123,128L, 222, 225, 226, 227, 245.

Elective Courses (Remaining courses may be selected from the following): General: Civil and Environmental Engineering 110, 129, Earth and Space Sciences 135, 136A, 136B, 136C, 139, 222. Environmental Engineering: Civil and Environmental Engineering 153, 164. Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering: Civil and Environmental Engineering 250B and 251B. Structural Mechanics: Civil and Environmental Engineering M230A. Structural/Earthquake Engineering: Civil and Environmental Engineering 135A, 135B, 137, 142, 235A, 235B, 235C, 243A, 243B, 246, 247.

Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering

Required Preparatory Courses. Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L; Mathematics 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 103, 105A; Civil and Environmental Engineering 151; Physics 1A/4AL, 1B/4BL, 1C.

Required Graduate Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 250A, 250B, 250C, 250D.

Major Elective Courses (A minimum of three courses must be selected). Civil and Environmental Engineering 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 252, 253, 260.

Elective Courses. Up to two courses from the following list: Civil and Environmental Engineering 110, 150, 153, 157L, 157M, 164, 254A, 255A, 255B, 263A, 265A, 265B. Selected courses from the following departments (must be approved by faculty advisor and graduate vice chair): Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Computer Science, Earth and Space Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Mathematics, Statistics, and Urban Planning.

Structural Mechanics

Required Preparatory Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 130, 135A, 135B.

Required Graduate Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 232, 235A, 235B, 236, M237A.

Elective Courses. Undergraduate: Civil and Environmental Engineering M135C, 137, and 137L (two maximum); Graduate: Civil and Environmental Engineering M230A, M230B, M230C, 233, 235C, 238, 246, 247, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 269B.

Structural/Earthquake Engineering

Required Preparatory Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 135A and 135B, 141 or 142 (at least one).

Required Graduate Courses. Civil and Environmental Engineering 235A and 246 and at least three of the following courses: Civil and Environmental Engineering 235B, 241, 243A, 245, 247.

Elective Courses. Undergraduate: Civil and Environmental Engineering 125, M135C, 137, 141, 142 and 143, 143 (two maximum). Geotechnical Area: Civil and Environmental Engineering 220, 221, 222, 223, 225, 227 (three maximum). General Graduate: Civil and Environmental Engineering M230A, M230B, M230C, 232, 233, 235B, 235C, 236, M237A, 238, 241, 243A, 243B, 245, 247, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 269B.

Students may petition the department for permission to pursue programs of study which differ from the above norms.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

In addition to the course requirements, under the comprehensive examination plan there is a comprehensive written examination covering the subject matter contained in the program of study. The examination is administered by a comprehensive examination committee, which may conduct an oral examination in addition to the written examination. In case of failure, the examination may be repeated once with the consent of the graduate adviser.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

In addition to the course requirements, under the thesis plan students are required to write a thesis on a research topic in civil and environmental engineering supervised by the thesis adviser. A thesis committee reviews and approves the thesis. No oral examination is required.

Time-to-Degree

The average duration for full-time students in the M.S. program is three quarters. The maximum time allowed for completing the M.S. degree is three years from the time of admission to the M.S. program in the School.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to the department. Advisers may be changed upon written request from the student. All HSSEAS faculty serve as advisers.

New students should arrange an appointment as early as possible with the faculty adviser to plan the proposed program of study toward the Ph.D. degree. Continuing students are required to confer with the adviser during the time of enrollment each quarter so that progress can be assessed and the study list approved.

Based on the quarterly transcripts, student records are reviewed at the end of each quarter by the departmental graduate adviser and Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. Special attention is given if students were admitted provisionally or are on probation. If their progress is unsatisfactory, students are informed of this in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Students are strongly urged to consult with the departmental student office staff and/or the Office of Academic and Student Affairs regarding procedures, requirements and the implementation of policies. In particular, advice should be sought on the procedures for taking Ph.D. written and oral examinations, and on the use of the Filing Fee.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Civil engineering materals; environmental engineering; geotechnical engineering; hydrology and water resources engineering; structures (includes structural mechanics and structural/earthquake engineering).

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

There is no formal course requirement for the Ph.D. degree, and one may theoretically substitute coursework by examinations. Normally, however, the student takes courses to acquire the knowledge needed for the written preliminary examinations. The basic program of study for the Ph.D. degree is built around one major field and one super-minor field or two minor fields. The major field has a scope corresponding to a body of knowledge contained in a detailed Ph.D. field syllabus available on request from the department office. A super-minor field is comprised of a body of knowledge equivalent to five courses, at least three of which are at the graduate level. When two minor fields are selected, each minor field is normally comprised of a body of knowledge equivalent to three courses, at least two of which are at the graduate level. The minimum acceptable grade point average for the minor fields is 3.33 and no individual grade counting toward the minor can be below. If the student fails to satisfy the minor field requirements through coursework, a minor field examination may be taken (once only). The minor fields are chosen to support the major field and are usually subsets of other major fields.

For information on completing the Engineer degree, see Engineering Schoolwide Programs.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

After mastering the body of knowledge defined in the major field, the student takes a written preliminary examination in the major field. This preliminary examination should be completed within the first two years of full-time enrollment in the Ph.D. program. Students may not take an examination more than twice.

After passing the preliminary examination and substantially completing all minor field coursework, the student is eligible to take the University Oral Qualifying Examination. The nature and content of the examination are at the discretion of the doctoral committee but ordinarily include a broad inquiry into the student’s preparation for research. The doctoral committee also reviews the prospectus of the dissertation at the oral qualifying examination.

Students nominate a doctoral committee prior to taking the University Oral Qualifying Examination. The doctoral committee consists of a minimum of four members. Three members, including the chair, must hold appointments at UCLA in the student’s major department in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The outside member must be a UCLA faculty member outside the student’s major department.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written preliminary and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

From admission to graduate status (includes M.S. degree) to award of the Ph.D. degree: 18 quarters (normative time to degree).

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A recommendation for termination is reviewed by the school’s Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Master’s

In addition to the standard reasons noted above, a student may be recommended for termination for

(1) Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in all courses and in those in the 200 series.

(2) Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in any two consecutive terms.

(3) Failure of the comprehensive examination.

(4) Failure to complete the thesis to the satisfaction of the committee members.

(5) Failure to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree within the three-year time limit for completing all degree requirements.

Doctoral

In addition to the standard reasons noted above, a student may be recommended for termination for

(1) Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.25 in all courses and in any two consecutive quarters.

(2) Failure of the major field written preliminary examination.

(3) Failure to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.33 in the minor field course work.

(4) Failure of the oral qualifying examination.

(5) Failure of the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation).

(6) Failure to obtain permission to repeat an examination from an examining committee.

(7) Failure to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree within the specified time limits.

Program Requirements for Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2010-2011 academic year.

Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology.

Admission

Program Name

Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology

Applicants may apply to the Ph.D. program through UCLA Access to Programs in the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences.

Phone

310-206-3987

Email

mcdb@lifesci.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.A., Ph.D.

Master’s Degree

Advising

See under Doctoral Degree.

Areas of Study

See under Doctoral Degree.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

The program consists of at least nine courses in graduate standing, of which at least five must be graduate-level (200-series) courses. The remainder may be courses in the 100, 200, or 500 series. No more than two 596 courses (eight units) may be applied toward the nine courses required for the degree; only one 596 course (four units) may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement. Courses graded S/U may be not be applied toward the minimum requirement unless these courses are not offered for a grade. Specific course requirements are established for each student by the guidance committee.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

The departmental written qualifying examination for the Ph.D. degree, or its equivalent as determined by the Graduate Adviser, serves as the comprehensive examination for the M.A. degree.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

A thesis reporting the results of an original investigation, prepared in accord with University format requirements in UCLA Policies and Procedures for Thesis Dissertation and Filing, available on the Graduate Division website, is presented to and approved by the master’s thesis committee of three faculty members. Before beginning work on the thesis, students must obtain approval of the subject and general plan from the faculty members concerned and from the thesis committee.

Time-to-Degree

The department rarely awards the master’s degree except in instances where the student is unable to complete the requirements for the doctorate.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

First-year students are advised through the UCLA ACCESS Program and enter the program in the second year following the selection of a research adviser from the department. The departmental Graduate Adviser also is available to assist students with University and departmental requirements. All academic affairs for Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology graduate students are coordinated by the Graduate Adviser, who is assisted by the administrative staff of the Graduate Affairs Office.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Specific fields of emphasis in the department naturally reflect the research foci of the faculty. These include cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and developmental biology, in both plants and animals; and immunology, neurobiology, and molecular evolution.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students are required to enroll full time in a minimum of 12 units each quarter. In addition to basic course requirements, all students are required to take Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology 296 and 596 or 599 each quarter. The majority of the didactic course requirements for molecular biology, cell biology, and research ethics are completed during the first year of study through the ACCESS Program. Students, in consultation with their dissertation adviser, may elect to take additional graduate courses or seminars in a particular area of specialization.

All graduate students in the department are required to complete the teaching assistant training courses, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology 495, either before or during their first quarter as a Teaching Assistant.

Teaching Experience

The department considers teaching experience to be an integral part of the graduate program. Students are expected to complete a minimum of two quarters as a teaching assistant in departmentally approved courses. In general, students serve as teaching assistants for one quarter in the second year and for one quarter in the third year. If students fail to follow this schedule and as a result fall behind in meeting this requirement, the Graduate Adviser may arbitrarily assign them to a course.

Advanced students, such as participants in the STAR or MSTP programs, may be exempted from the teaching requirement.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

The written and oral qualifying examinations should be completed and passed by the end of Fall Quarter of the third year of graduate study, second year in the department. The written qualifying examination must be passed before the University Oral Qualifying Examination can be taken. Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Written qualifying examination. Students must formally constitute and meet with their doctoral committee. The purpose of the meeting is for the committee to evaluate the student’s understanding of the rationale and background for the proposed dissertation research and to provide feedback to the student on its feasibility and experimental strategy. Students prepare a written description of the scientific background of the dissertation research project, the specific aims of the project, preliminary findings, and an experimental plan for addressing the specific aims. This dissertation proposal has a maximum length of 10 pages, excluding references, and is submitted to the students’ doctoral committee in advance of the examination. The examination also consists of an oral presentation of the proposal by the student to the doctoral committee.

University Oral Qualifying Examination. This examination is chaired by the student’s adviser, conducted by the doctoral committee, and focuses on the discussion and defense of an original written research proposal, as well as on general biological questions. The topic of the original research proposal requires advance approval of the student’s doctoral committee, and may not be the anticipated dissertation research topic, or an active or anticipated research project in the laboratory of the student’s adviser. Exclusive of their doctoral committee members, students are free to consult with other individuals in formulating proposed research. The research proposal must be written according to the NIH grant application format, with a maximum length of 10 pages, excluding references. The student’s oral presentation and examination are expected to demonstrate: (1) a scholarly understanding of the background of the research proposal; (2) well-designed and testable aims; (3) a critical understanding of the technical applications to be employed in the proposed research; and (4) an understanding of potential experimental outcomes and their interpretation.

Midstream seminar. The midstream seminar is mean to occur halfway between the University Oral Qualifying Examination and the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation), but in no case later than the beginning of the fifth year of doctoral study. Students who are in the program longer than five years must meet with their committee once each year.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

Normal progress from matriculation to conferral of the degree is five to six academic years (15 to 18 quarters).

Coursework, laboratory rotations, and choice of faculty adviser should be completed by the end of the first year in the ACCESS Program.

The written qualifying examination should be completed by June of the second year in graduate study (first year in the department).

The University Oral Qualifying Examination and advancement to candidacy should be completed no later than January 1 of the third year in graduate study (second year in the department). Failure to attain candidacy status at this time without a specific exception granted by the chair of the departmental Graduate Committee will be grounds for the recommendation of termination of the student’s graduate study.

The midstream seminar should be completed in the fourth year of study.

The dissertation and final oral examination (defense of the dissertation) should be completed during the fifth year of study, and no later than the sixth year of study.

First year

Students complete ACCESS curriculum.

Second year

Students select a research mentor from the departmental faculty.

Students do dissertation research.

Students complete the departmental written qualifying examination, which consists of preparation of one mini-proposal, constitution of a doctoral committee, and a first meeting with the doctoral committee.

Third year

Students complete the University Oral Qualifying Examination, before January 1.

Students do dissertation research.

Fourth year

Students complete the midstream seminar. The seminar is meant to occur halfway between the Oral Qualifying Examination and the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation). Students who are in the program longer than five years must meet with their committee once each year. The midstream seminar must take place before the beginning of the fifth year of doctoral study.

Fifth Year

Students complete dissertation research.

Students complete the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation).

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination for unsatisfactory performance as determined by the advisory committee, failure to pass all areas of the departmental written qualifying examination, failure to pass the master’s comprehensive examination, failure to maintain a provisional or personal adviser (Ph.D. students) or failure to complete the master’s degree within six terms, or failure to complete the doctoral dissertation within eighteen terms of academic residence (see Time-to-Degree). A student may appeal a recommendation for termination to the appropriate subgroup or the departmental chair.

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2011-2012 academic year.

Nursing

School of Nursing

Graduate Degrees

The School of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Nursing.

Admission

Program Name

Nursing

Address

2-137 Factor Building

Box 951702

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1702

Phone

(310) 825-9193, (310) 825-3109

Email

rflenoy@sonnet.ucla.edu / mcovin@sonnet.ucla.edu

Leading to the degree of

M.S.N., Ph.D.

Admission Limited to

Fall

Deadline to apply

Deadline for M.S.N.-MECN: November 1st

Priority deadline for M.S.N.-AP and Ph.D.: December 1st

Final deadline for M.S.N.-AP and Ph.D.: February 1st

GRE (General and/or Subject)

GRE: General (within the last five years; Ph.D. only)

Letters of Recommendation

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: 3, attesting to professional and/or academic competence in nursing.
M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: 3, attesting to personal and academic competence.
Ph.D.: 4, affirming potential for scholarly, investigative, and creative endeavors in nursing.

Other Requirements

In addition to the University’s minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose.

Since written and oral communication skills are basic to the practice of nursing, it is essential that applicants read, write, and speak English well. International applicants from a country in which English is not the first language and medium of instruction, whether a licensed registered nurse in the U.S. or not, are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores prior to consideration for admission.

Registered nurses who are not licensed in the United States must, prior to consideration for admission, submit verification of a passing score on both the nursing and the English sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.

The following are also required:

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: (1) Graduation from a recognized college or university having an accredited baccalaureate nursing program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division, or graduation with a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an international institution with a nursing program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division. If admitted under the latter, applicants may be required to enroll in certain undergraduate nursing courses which generally may not be applied toward requirements for advanced degrees.

(2) Status as a licensed registered nurse. Prior to entry into any clinical practicum, evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of California is mandatory.

(3) An upper division statistics course or a lower division statistics course with content equivalent to Biostatistics 100A must be completed before entering the school.

(4) An upper division nursing research course, taken at an accredited institution and equivalent to Nursing 173, must be completed before entering the school.

(5) An upper division physical assessment course, taken at an accredited institution and equivalent to Nursing 174, must be completed before entering the school(not required of applicants selecting the Nursing Administration specialty).

(6) An upper division or equivalent undergraduate physiology course equivalent to Nursing 105. This course must have been completed within the last five years (not required of students selecting the nursing administration specialty). Pathophysiology is not acceptable.

(7) When writing the statement of purpose, applicants should refer to the Evaluation Criteria Form included on the UCLA School of Nursing website (www.nursing.ucla.edu).

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: (1) Graduation from a recognized college or university having an accredited baccalaureate program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division, or graduation with a baccalaureate degree from an international institution with a program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and to the Graduate Division. Applicants admitted from international institutions may be required to enroll in certain undergraduate courses, which generally may not be applied toward requirements for advanced degrees.

(2) Completion of acceptable prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better in group and verbal communications, English composition (two college level writing intensive courses in the English language), human anatomy, human physiology, introductory microbiology, principles of epidemiology (if admitted, may be completed at UCLA), introductory psychology, introduction to biostatistics, and introductory inorganic, organic and biochemistry.

(3) When writing the statement of purpose, applicants should refer to the Evaluation Criteria Form on the UCLA School of Nursing website (www.nursing.ucla.edu).

Management, M.B.A./Nursing, M.S.N.

The School of Nursing and the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management offer a concurrent degree program designed for students interested in employment in all sectors of the health care delivery system, including hospitals, corporate health care headquarters, home health care agencies, and long-term care facilities, as well as policy-making bodies and consulting firms. Applicants must apply to both the M.B.A. program and the School of Nursing.

Ph.D.: Priority for admission to the Ph.D. program is given to graduates of accredited master’s degree programs in nursing. Those admitted to doctoral study with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in a non-nursing field are required to make up clinical specialty deficiencies by taking courses in one of the current master’s advanced practice programs. Such courses may be taken concurrently with doctoral courses. Individuals admitted with a bachelor’s degree in nursing are required to complete selected master’s courses in nursing at UCLA as a prerequisite to entry into doctoral courses.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program must provide evidence of the following:

(1) A master’s degree in nursing; a B.S. degree in Nursing and a master’s degree in a non-nursing field; or a B.S. degree in Nursing. Degrees must be from an accredited program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and the Graduate Division. Students who are accepted with deficiencies are required to complete appropriate master’s courses.

(2) A minimum grade-point average of 3.5.

(3) An upper division statistics course with content equivalent to Biostatistics 100A or Biomathematics 170A.

(4) A graduate-level nursing research course with content equivalent to Nursing 204.

(5) Status as a licensed registered nurse; evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of California is mandatory.

(6) Examples of scholarly papers and/or creative works.

(7) A statement of educational objectives, specific focus of research, and program and career goals.

Master’s Degree

Advising

Upon admission to the school, students are assigned a faculty adviser who has the responsibility to aid students in planning a total program. Together, student and adviser identify academic and personal needs and match them with school and University resources available in order to maximize the student’s ability to reach educational and professional goals. Due to the heavy course load required by the School, students are cautioned against working full-time.

Transcripts and grade reports are reviewed quarterly. Evaluations of performance in clinical coursework are written at the end of the quarter. Students are requested to read and sign these evaluations. Individual instructors are encouraged to contact a student’s faculty adviser if they feel the student needs guidance in any academic endeavor. Signed records of all interviews are kept on counseling forms in the student’s file.

Any student who is having difficulty must meet with the faculty adviser and the assistant dean for student affairs to determine the areas of need and any recommendations to be made. These meetings are also recorded on counseling notes that remain in each student’s folder.

Areas of Study

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies and preparation in the Nurse Administrator role, or the Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner role, Clinical Nurse Specialist role. The following specialties are available for the nurse administrator role: Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health. Advanced Practice is divided into four distinct population foci: Adult/Gerontology, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care, Family and Pediatrics. Students in the Adult/Gerontology population focus may select a specialty in one of the following areas: Gerontology; Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing or Oncology; and either the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or dual nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist role. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care students may also select a specialty in Oncology and either the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or dual nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist role. Students in the Family and Occupational and Environmental Health specialization will be prepared in the Nurse Practitioner role only.

Some specialties have course requirements over and above the minimum requirements for the degree. Applicants are advised to seek counseling prior to admission in order to select the population, specialty and role most appropriate to career goals, as well as to meet requirements for acceptance into the particular area of study. Students selecting the nurse practitioner role may take the neuropsychiatric subspecialty. Students in the family nurse practitioner specialty may take the underserved populations subspecialty.

All graduates are strongly encouraged to sit for advanced practice certification in the appropriate specialty area by agencies providing national certification.

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies for master’s entry clinical nursing to prepare individuals with a baccalaureate in another field who wish to become registered nurses. Students are prepared as nurse generalists with strong leadership skills to function in health care delivery across a variety of settings in the health care system, including the acute care setting. Graduates of this program work at the bedside and are prepared to implement the outcomes-based practice and quality improvement in clinical settings.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: A minimum of three core courses and additional coursework in the 100-, 200-, and 400-series are required for each area of clinical specialization. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the total course requirement for the degree.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is required. Grades of B are required in graduate clinical nursing courses in order to advance to the next clinical course in a series. A minimum of three quarters of full-time enrollment is required for academic residence.

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: A minimum of 26 courses in the 200- and 400-series are required. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the degree.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is required. Grades of B are required in graduate clinical theory and practice nursing courses in order to advance to the next clinical theory and practice course in a series. A minimum of three quarters of full-time enrollment is required for academic residence.

Core Requirements

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing

Core Courses. Nursing 200, 204, 224, 231, and 264. In addition, Nursing 220 is required for students selecting the clinical nurse specialist role. Nursing 204 is the only core course required for nursing administration and nursing administration/occupational and environmental health students. Nursing 264 is not required for the adult/gerontology acute care population.

Clinical Specialty Theory Courses. Nursing 211, 212, 213, 214B, 216A, 216B, 216C, 219A, 219B, 223, 232F, 229A, 229B, 229C, 233F, 236. Course requirements vary for each specialty area; students should see courses under each population focus and/or specialty.

Advanced Practice Theory Courses. Nursing 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 236, 238A, 238B, 238C, 239A, 239B, 239C, 245.

Clinical Practicum Courses. Nursing 414 and 414B, 416A through 416E, 418A through 418D, 429A through 429E, 438A through 438D, 439A through 439E, 444, 445.

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing

Research Courses. Nursing 204.

Nursing Core. Nursing 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 250

Clinical Theory and Practice Courses. Nursing 171, 252, 254A, 254B, 260, 270, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 467.

Administrative Courses. Nursing 266, 267, 268, 269.

Course requirements for Advanced Practice Nursing vary according to role, focus and specialty area selected:

Requirements for Nursing Administration

Nursing Administration Specialty. The goal of the nursing administration specialty is to prepare nurse administrators in organizational theory, health services, and financial management for the practice of administrative roles within acute, ambulatory care, and/or community-based settings. Content includes finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resource management, quality clinical and organizational outcomes management, education and research. Electives may be taken in the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, the School of Public Health or the School of Public Affairs. Practicums with outstanding administrative leaders are individualized to meet the goals of each student, and give practice experience in health services administration. Required courses include Nursing 204, 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 219A, 219B, 418A through 418D, and a minimum of 16 units of theory electives including a course in organizational theory and human resource management.

Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health Specialty. The goal of the nursing administration/occupational and environmental health specialty is to prepare nurses for administrative roles within occupational settings. Content includes occupational and environmental health, finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resource management, quality clinical and organizational outcomes management, education, and research. Electives are primarily taken in the School of Public Health but students may request approval for courses in the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management or the School of Public Affairs. Practicums with outstanding occupational health administrative leaders are individualized to meet the goals of each student, and give practical experience in the administration of occupational health programs. Required course include Nursing 204, 213, 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 219A, 219B, 418A, through 418D, and at least 10 units of coursework approved by the student’s adviser, which includes content in the areas of epidemiology, industrial hygiene, physical agents, ergonomics, and occupational safety.

Requirements for Adult/Gerontology Population

The Adult/Gerontology population covers individuals from adolescence through adult and older adults. Students selecting the Adult/Gerontology population focus will select a specialty from the following: Occupational and Environmental Health, or Oncology.

Occupational and Environmental Health Specialty. The occupational and environmental health specialty prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice role as a nurse practitioner. The curriculum integrates principles of occupational and environmental health assessment and care with primary ambulatory care of adult groups. Practitioners evaluate the individual as seen within the work setting as well as within the family and community group. Primary focus and emphasis are on health status assessment, health promotion, illness/accident prevention, hazard control, screening, surveillance, and rehabilitation of adult workers. Requirements are met through a combination of courses and experiences specific to the delivery of occupational and environmental health care services. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 213A, 213B, 239A, 239B, 239C or Environmental Health Sciences 454, Nursing 264, 439A through 439D, 440, and at least 10 units of coursework approved by the student’s adviser, which includes content in the areas of epidemiology, industrial hygiene, physical agents, ergonomics, and occupational safety.

Requirements for Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Population

The adult/gerontology acute care population covers individuals from adolescence through adult and older adult who are identified as ill and who have high intensity nursing and medical needs. These patients may receive care in a wide variety of settings, from intensive care units to specialty clinics, doctor’s offices, or the home. A minimum of two years of prior experience in acute care is
highly recommended but not required. Graduates are expected to engage in research-based practice as acute care practitioners, educators, consultants, and to become leaders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 216A, 216B, 216C, 224, 229A, 229B, 229C, 231, 239A, 239B, 239C, 416A through 416E, 440, 444. and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445. Except for the four units of theory elective, student who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445. Applicants selecting the adult/gerontology acute population focus may also select an oncology specialty. Students should see specialty requirements listed above.

Oncology Specialty. The oncology specialty prepares nurse practitioners and clinical specialists to care for individuals with/or at risk for cancer. Students will obtain expert clinical skills for the assessment and management of patients with/at risk for cancer; to provide education for patients, families, and nursing staff, and to provide consultation in oncology-related problems. Clinical practicums are available with expert clinicians across the health/illness continuum (for example, cancer screening, ambulatory oncology clinics and private practices, inpatient oncology units, radiation therapy). Graduates are expected to become leaders in oncology advance practice and to engage in research-based practice as an oncology nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Previous clinical oncology experience is highly recommended. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 214A, 224, 231, 239A, 239B, 239C, 414A. 414B. 416A through 416E, 439A, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445. Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445.

Requirements for Family Population

The family population covers primary health care for individuals throughout the life span. The focus is on collaborative, interdisciplinary practice to assure comprehensive quality health care and health maintenance in outpatient, work site, home health, nursing home, and hospital settings. Emphasis is on the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of the client’s responses to actual or potential health problems, which may be chronic or acute and include primary prevention and health promotion. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 211, 212, 231, 236, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 439A through 439E, 440, and four units of theory elective.

Requirements for Pediatrics Population

The pediatric population covers the health care of children from birth to adolescence. Emphasis is on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of children’s actual or potential
health problems. Content stresses care for acute and chronic illnesses as well as primary prevention. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 212, 223, 224, 231, 238A, 238B, 238C, 264, 438A through 438D, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445. Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445.

Subspecialty for Nurse Practitioners

Underserved Populations Subspecialty. The undeserved populations subspecialty provides enriched theory and clinical experiences to more fully prepare new family nurse practitioners to take on the challenges of improving primary care practices in complex, culturally diverse, and low resource practice settings. Required courses including Nursing 209, 249, and 450.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

Successful completion of the comprehensive examination is required. The comprehensive examination is given in written form during Spring Quarter. Students are eligible to take the examination once they are advanced to candidacy and may repeat the examination twice. Retakes only are offered during Summer Sessions and Fall Quarter. Students must complete all requirements for the degree within one calendar year after advancement to candidacy.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time to Degree

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is a minimum of six quarters.

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is a minimum of six quarters and one summer.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned doctoral advisers recommended by the curriculum committee to provide individual supervision and to guide selection of a suitable program of study. Doctoral advisers are chosen for their experience in the student’s research area.

Students meet with their doctoral advisers once each quarter to determine coursework for the following quarter; however, a student may seek the curriculum committee’s advice at any time.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

In the doctoral program, students focus their study in one of four areas: biobehavioral sciences, biologic sciences, health disparities/vulnerable populations, or health services.

Students who choose biobehavioral sciences focus on the influence of both biologic and behavioral factors on health beliefs and health promotion, sense of well-being and quality of life, symptom management, and adherence to and utilization of prevention and treatment services. Students who choose biologic sciences focus on the phenomena in the biologic, physiologic and pathophysiologic sciences, including cellular adaptations and injury, genetics, neoplasia, inflammatory, immune and neuroendocrine responses and the effect of these on tissue and organ system functioning in the context of human health. Students who choose health disparities/vulnerable populations focus on nursing science in the area of community-based interventions to prevent disease, decrease morbidity and mortality for populations at a relative higher risk for poor health and in the context of a culturally diverse environment for care. Students who choose health services focus on interrelationships of structure, process, and outcomes of care in the context of a wide range of health care delivery systems, from inpatient settings to outpatient and home care and community-based prevention and treatment delivery systems. Ethical considerations and policy decisions that impact the conduct and advancement of research in these domains are addressed.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required of all students in the Ph.D. program.

(1) Nursing theory: Nursing 202, 206. 210.

(2) Nursing research: Nursing 205A-205B-205C, 207, 208, 295A-295B-295C, 299A-299B-299C. Nursing 205A, 207, 208 and 299A are required for all doctoral students. Students must take either of the following: Nursing 299B and 299C for quantitative research, or 205B, 205C and 299B or 299C for qualitative research (299B and 299C must be taken twice for biologic sciences).

(3) Statistics. Nursing 203A, 203B.

(4) Professional development: Nursing 299D, 495.

(5) Cognates: Minimum of 12 units, three courses in related field relevant to area of research. Biologic sciences students also must complete a faculty adviser-approved Chemistry course..

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Written Qualifying
Examination. The written qualifying examination must be taken after completion of the following courses: Nursing 202, 203A, 203B, 206, 210, 295A, 295B, 295C, 299A, 299B, 299C, 299D. The examination is submitted in July. Only one reexamination is permitted and it must be completed during the Summer of the same year as the original examination.

Oral Qualifying Examination.
The University Oral Qualifying Examination, taken after completing the course requirements and successfully passing the written qualifying examination, evaluates students’ dissertation proposals. The initial step is selection of a doctoral committee. Students are responsible for obtaining the consent of four or more faculty members to serve on the committee as certifying members. Qualifications of members must be consistent with students’ area of research and special interests and also with the requirements for doctoral committees as stated in the Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA. Additional members, including those from an institution or clinical agency representing the student’s clinical and research interests, may be appointed as non-certifying members by petition if the doctoral committee and the student agree that additional experts are needed. The graduate adviser of the doctoral committee must give approval of members consenting to serve on the doctoral committee before the committee is submitted for the approval of the Graduate Division.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-degree

Students entering with a master’s degree in nursing should be able to complete the doctoral program as follows:

From admission to written qualifying examination: three quarters minimum, six quarters maximum.

From written qualifying examination to approval of proposal and oral qualifying examination: three quarters minimum, six quarters maximum.

From advancement to candidacy to final oral examination: six quarters.

From graduate admission to awarding of degree: 15 quarters maximum recommended.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.0) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of
graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Master’s

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination because of grades of B- or lower in clinical theory and practice courses, regardless of overall grade point average, or for unprofessional or unethical conduct.

Doctoral

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be specifically recommended for termination for failure of the written or oral qualifying examination a second time.

Term	Time Period	Courses Taught by UCLA Faculty	Location
Term 1	May/June		Singapore
Term 2	August	463, 464, 472A	Los Angeles
Term 3	November	471A, 474	Shanghai
Term 4	February/March	482	Bangalore
Term 5	May		Singapore
Term 6	August	471B, 483, 485, 486	Los Angeles

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