The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce scientists capable of performing significant independent research in their area of specialization, and of effectively communicating their work to other scientists, policy-makers, and the general public. This is achieved through three types of training:
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Critical-thinking and quantitative skills to understand current issues in biology, including critical analysis of the primary literature in their chosen area of specialization.
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High-level research techniques - an appropriate combination of laboratory, computational and literature based skills - and use these to complete a dissertation that expands our understanding of a particular area of biology. Upon completion, a graduating student will be capable of planning and conducting a hypothesis-driven research program.
Professional communication of their work both formally and informally, to audiences as diverse as the general public, undergraduates, or world-renowned researchers in their field of specialization. This crucial skill will enable them to pursue careers in academia, government, private industry or non-profit organizations.
Students who complete the program are expected to leave with considerable expertise in their broader research field and in the narrower context of their specific research projects. Overall, we expect graduates of the Biology Ph.D. program at NJIT to meet the following learning outcomes:
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They will have the ability to design and conduct scientifically sound experiments or theoretical studies. They will be able to discuss critically the approaches and results obtained.
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They will have learned to analyze and interpret various forms of experimental data and/or theoretical results, put them in a larger conceptual framework, and critically assess their general biological relevance.
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They will understand ethical principles and regulatory restrictions that govern the use of animals, humans, and environmental resources in biological research approaches.
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They will have developed a broad understanding of biology and related disciplines in the larger human and global context.
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They will have obtained the depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as the language and critical thinking skills needed to operate in a multidisciplinary environment, be it in academia of elsewhere.
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They will have gained the ability to effectively communicate scientific data, ideas, concepts, and relevance to both experts and broader audiences. This pertains to both written and oral communications.
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They will be well prepared to obtain gainful employment in private, government, industry, or academic sectors. For example, they will be qualified and competitive in the search for postdoctoral research positions in industry or academia.
