Graduate groups combine the talents and skills of faculty from a broad range of research areas to allow learning from a network of diverse scholars to afford students opportunities outside traditional department structures.
- Applied Mathematics
Students gain advanced knowledge of differential geometry; topology; differential equations; solid and fluid dynamics; biology; atmospheric sciences; mechanics; optimization and control; theoretical chemistry; computer and engineering sciences; mathematical physics; signal and image processing; harmonic analysis, numerical analysis and nonlinear partial differential equations; and applied mathematical analysis. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in applied mathematics.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
M.S. Plan II
Ph.D. Plan B- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Students gain advanced knowledge of biochemistry; molecular biology; cell and developmental biology; as well as interdisciplinary approaches that combine biology, genetics, chemistry, physics, engineering, math and/or computational approaches. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in fundamental biological problems at the organismal, cellular and molecular levels. Please note: While an M.S. degree may be obtained while pursuing a Ph.D. degree, only Ph.D. applications will be accepted.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
under special circumstances only
M.S. Plan II
under special circumstances only
Ph.D. Plan B- Biophysics
Students gain advanced knowledge of the physical laws governing the properties and interaction of biomolecules and cells; structural biology; membrane dynamics; ion transport; electron transfer; nuclei acid; applied optics; computational biology; cellular regulation; and imaging. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in biophysics.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
under special circumstances only
M.S. Plan II
under special circumstances only
Ph.D. Plan B- Food Science
Students gain advanced knowledge of the application of biological, chemical, physical and behavioral sciences to the processing, preservation, quality evaluation, public health aspects, and utilization of foods. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in food science with an emphasis in biochemistry/chemistry, microbiology/fermentation and sensory sciences.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
M.S. Plan II
Ph.D. Plan B- Immunology
The Immunology Graduate Program emphasizes a flexible PhD program in an exciting field of biology and medicine. Students gain advanced knowledge of the cells and tissues of the mammalian immune system; host immune responses to infection, tissue damage and tumors; immune signaling and regulation; allergic and autoimmune disease pathogenesis; vaccine development; nutritional immunology; and the use of immune mediators for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for design of experiments and interpretation of data relevant to the development and function of the immune system and for teaching in immunology.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
under special circumstances only
M.S. Plan II
under special circumstances only
Ph.D. Plan C- Integrative Genetics and Genomics
Students in Integrative Genetics and Genomics experience an unsurpassed breadth of research and instructional opportunities from the most fundamental to applied aspects of genetics. They gain advanced knowledge of the application of genomic, molecular, and classical genetic approaches to study model organisms, a broad range of native and agricultural species, humans, and companion animals. Our graduates leave our program with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in genetics.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
M.S. Plan II
Ph.D. Plan B- Integrative Pathobiology
Students gain advanced knowledge of the causes and nature of disease processes in animals and humans at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and organ systems level. Students also gain advanced knowledge of tissue structure and function, cellular mechanisms of disease and organ systems response to disease. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills to design and interpret experiments relating to pathological processes in a variety of animal species for careers in comparative and translational veterinary medicine and medicine. Successful completion of the GGIP program leads to either a master of science (MS) or doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree. Students applying to this program have varied backgrounds. Some hold professional degrees (i.e., DVM, MD or DDS) while others apply after completion of an undergraduate degree. Students without a professional degree are admitted if they have exceptionally strong interests and backgrounds in basic biomedical sciences. The Integrative Pathobiology Graduate Group at UC Davis is committed to cultivating an environment of diversity. The faculty of GGIP believe that diversity strengthens research.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
Ph.D. Plan B- Microbiology
The interest in explaining natural phenomena, including disease, is the basis for most students’ interest in the biological sciences. Microbiology has played a central role in all aspects of the biological sciences and an understanding of microbiology is fundamental to biological research. Our Ph.D. graduate program encourages a faculty-student relationship that creates a learning environment which is stimulating, productive, and rewarding for all its’ participants. Students gain advanced knowledge of general microbiology; microbial ecology; microbial physiology; microbial genetics; molecular mechanisms of microbial regulation and pathogenesis; immunology; virology; and recombinant DNA technology. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in microbiology.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
Ph.D. Plan B- Pharmacology and Toxicology
Students gain advanced knowledge of the effects of chemicals on biological systems. This includes the study of both drugs and toxins and their impact on the environment and ecosystems as well as human and animal health. Areas of research excellence include neurotoxicology and pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, cancer therapeutics, drug discovery, design and development, xenobiotic metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pulmonary toxicology and environmental toxicology. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in pharmacology and toxicology.
Degrees Offered:
M.S. Plan I
M.S. Plan II
Ph.D. Plan B
Graduate Courses
The courses below are drawn directly from the UC Davis General Catalog. Course descriptions are maintained through the General Catalog to ensure you have access to the most up-to-date information.
Not all courses are offered every year. For the most current schedule of classes, refer to Schedule Builder. If you have questions about course planning or availability, please contact your graduate group coordinator.