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Program History
Read about what former students who have earned a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and an MBA at the University of Delaware have been doing with their degrees.
The Department of Biological Sciences has offered the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences since 1953 with the goal of training scientists to independently seek new knowledge relevant to the life sciences. The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has offered the Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree since 1954 to prepare students for the business world. Since many students pursuing the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences are interested in pursuing careers in industrial science, the Department of Biological Sciences and The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has developed a joint Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA degree. The Department of Biological Sciences and the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics jointly administer this program.
Admission
Students desiring to pursue the joint Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA initially apply directly to the Ph.D. program of the Department of Biological Sciences and must meet the admissions requirements of the Ph.D. program. The student matriculates into the Ph.D. program, must successfully complete all first year course work, choose a dissertation advisor, pass the preliminary examination and form their dissertation advisory committee as required for the Ph.D. program. During the summer between the first and second year in the Ph.D. program, the student must convene their advisory committee and petition them for permission to take 6 credits of tier one MBA coursework in addition to their Ph.D. coursework requirements during the second year. Since Ph.D. students are supported on assistantships based in the Department of Biological Sciences and receive tuition scholarships for these assistantships, continued enrollment in any MBA classes is dependent on maintained satisfactory progress towards the Ph.D.
Once the student has successfully completed all required course work for the Ph.D. degree and has completed 6 credits of MBA coursework, students interested in the joint Ph.D./MBA program must convene their Ph.D. advisory committee and petition for permission to apply to the joint Ph.D./MBA program. If this petition is granted, the student's progress towards the Ph.D. is reviewed by the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Department of Biological Sciences. If GAC finds that the student is in good standing in the department, the student then applies to the MBA program for admission into the joint Ph.D./MBA program. The prospective student is encouraged to see the admissions policies for both programs in the graduate catalog.
Applications to the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences and letters of recommendation are to be submitted to the Office of Graduate & Professional Education.
The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA is a joint degree program. As such, the joint programs must be completed and the dual degree is conferred simultaneously. Students admitted to the Ph.D./MBA joint degree program who later decide they only want to complete one of the degrees must either petition the graduate school to reenter the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences or apply separately to the MBA program for admission as a candidate in that program. Students who complete the single degree (Ph.D. in Biological Sciences or MBA) may not at a later date be admitted to the dual degree program. In such case the student would be required to complete all requirements for the second degree. A student who decides to pursue the dual degree must apply for change of degree to the Ph.D./MBA dual degree prior to receiving the first degree and must complete the requirements for the dual degree prior to any degree being granted.
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Academic
The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA program combines the required courses for the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with the additional required courses of the MBA program. The minimum credit requirements for the Ph.D. make up 31 credits of the program. The MBA core and required courses make up 33 credits of the program. The following table identifies the Ph.D. and MBA curriculum.
Transfers of coursework earned elsewhere, and waivers of courses are allowable under the same provisions as the Ph.D. and MBA programs separately. Dual degree students must complete a minimum of 64 credits of coursework at the graduate level. Since financial aid for students in the joint Ph.D./MBA program is provided from the same sources as students in the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences, continued enrollment in MBA courses is dependent on the student making satisfactory progress towards the Ph.D. Progress towards the Ph.D. is certified by the student's Ph.D. advisory committee at the student's regular committee meeting that is held at 6-month intervals. Students in this program are under the same expectations of research excellence as those in the traditional Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences. The MBA committee of the Lerner College of Business is responsible for monitoring progress in the business curriculum.
Students must maintain continuous enrollment in every regular semester (fall and spring) throughout their program unless by approved leave of absence. This can be accomplished by registering for research or dissertation credit during the time the dissertation project is underway, or by registering for sustaining status. See the catalog for the university policy on sustaining status, and regarding leave of absence.
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Financial Aid
Students in the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA program may compete for the same sources of financial assistance as available to Ph.D. students. See the Ph.D. program policy statement for specifics. The same criteria for financial assistance apply.
Other Financial Aid Opportunities
Other Fellowships and Internship opportunities are occasionally available through the University. Interested students should check the Office of Graduate & Professional Education for the most current opportunities.
Residence Hall Directorships
In addition, the University hires Residence Hall Directors from among the ranks of its graduate students. Candidates are chosen for their superior leadership and communication skills, as well as the capability to provide guidance to undergraduates. Hall Directors are eligible for room and board, and full tuition waivers. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (302) 831-8423 for additional information as soon as possible. Applicants are usually interviewed around mid-April.
MBA Corporate Associate
The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics operates a "Corporate Associates" program in which graduate students are placed half time in industry positions. The positions are competitive and selection is based on the student's fit with the industry position. The employer has the final say in selection. Corporate Associates receive half time funding and tuition waivers. Contact the Lerner College Graduate and Executive Programs office for further information at (302) 831-2221.
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Departmental Operations
Occasionally student's graduate assistantship or other assignments may require the use of departmental laboratories or other facilities. Keys to laboratories, etc., are maintained in the Department office and will be issued based on faculty and Department Chair approval.
Any assignments that require the expenditure of departmental funds (e.g. data collection activities) require departmental approval in advance and are processed through the department in which the work is to be done.
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