Set to open in summer 2020, Saint Louis University's new ISE building will be a showcase facility where undergraduate and graduate science and engineering students and faculty gather to learn, collaborate and experiment. It will feature innovative teaching environments and flexible lab spaces.
Saint Louis University's Integrated and Applied Sciences (IAS) doctoral program was established to broaden student exposure to all areas of science, encourage collaboration across departments and colleges, and better train graduate students to present their research to a more diverse audience. This interdisciplinary program is large enough to provide students with broad exposure to collaborative scientific projects, yet small enough for students to have one-on-one interaction with their faculty mentor. This personalized approach is necessary for developing the communication skills that will enhance employment opportunities for students and, in keeping with SLU's Jesuit tradition, endow them with tools to better contribute to society.
Vasit Sagan, Ph.D.
Program Director
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in integrated and applied sciences (IAS) utilizes interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration within the fields to prepare graduates to confidently assume multi-faceted roles in the changing scientific community. Students specialize in a concentration depending on their primary mentor’s research area. Concentrations include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science and GIS.
The distribution of courses in the various IAS areas is determined by the student’s dissertation committee with a minimum total of 30 credits between all three areas. A total of 42 credits are required with the remaining 12 credits coming from dissertation credits. An appropriate coursework track is developed by the student and their mentor with subsequent approval by the IAS administrative committee. A typical coursework structure includes:
This concentration is geared toward biological research with bioinformatics or integrated geospatial biology. Required core courses may be taken in the SLU's Department of Biology.
This concentration is for students interested in chemical research with substantial overlap with other biological or physical science and engineering disciplines.
This concentration is for students interested in the application of geographic information systems (GIS) in the field of environmental sciences. Required courses are taken in SLU's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, as well as the GIS program.
This concentration is geared toward students interested in the physics of solid-state and nanomaterials.
This research-intensive doctoral program will train students for careers in pharmaceutical and biochemical industries, as well as in academia. The program’s scientific training takes place in an interdisciplinary environment with biology, biomedical science, chemistry, earth and atmospheric science, engineering, and physics faculty.
This doctoral program trains scientists for careers in academia as well as chemical, biological, environmental and geospatial science industries and prepares them to collaborate with other professionals. Scientific training takes place in an interdisciplinary environment with faculty from science departments in SLU's College of Arts and Sciences.
The integrated and applied sciences administrative committee will ensure that the applicant possesses a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited, recognized college or university in a discipline relevant to the research of the integrated and applied sciences faculty mentor.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
The integrated and applied sciences administrative committee will ensure that the applicant's previous academic record indicates the ability needed to pursue advanced studies. The committee will then make an admissions recommendation to the graduate admissions department, which is responsible for making the final decision and communicating that decision to both the integrated and applied sciences program director and the applicant.
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
IAS 6010 | Interdisciplinary Seminar (taken over multiple semesters) | 4 |
IAS 6030 | Interdisciplinary Research (taken over multiple semesters) | 8 |
Concentration Courses | ||
Select one of the following concentrations: † | 18 | |
Dissertation Research | ||
IAS 6990 | Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters) | 12 |
Total Credits | 42 |
† | Concentration Core Department (9-12 credits), Concentration Interdisciplinary credits (6–9 credits) |
Assuming successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams, students should complete the Ph.D. program in four to five years. Students entering the program with an appropriate M.S. degree may complete the program in less time, again assuming successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Concentration Core Department | ||
Select three to four of the following: | 9-12 | |
Advanced Biological Chemistry | ||
Geographic Information Systems in Biology | ||
Current Topics in Cell Biology | ||
Problems in Genetics | ||
Conservation Biology | ||
Advanced Ecology | ||
Advanced Population Biology | ||
Advanced Molecular Biology | ||
Graduate Seminar in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics | ||
Neural Basis of Behavior | ||
Research Topics | ||
Graduate Reading Course | ||
Graduate Seminar in Cell and Molecular Regulation | ||
Scientific Communication | ||
Concentration Interdisciplinary Course | ||
Select two to three courses from Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or Biomedical Sciences, Center for Sustainability, or GIS courses | 6-9 | |
Total Credits | 15-21 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Concentration Core Department | ||
Select 3 to 4 of the following: | 9-12 | |
Advanced Synthetic Chemistry | ||
Analytical Chemistry II | ||
Mass Spectrometry | ||
Analytical Separations | ||
Electroanalytical Chemistry | ||
Mathematical Techniques in Chemistry | ||
Computational Chemistry | ||
Special Topics: Physical Chemistry | ||
Organic Spectroscopy | ||
Bioorganic Chemistry | ||
Advanced Organic Chemistry | ||
Synthetic Organic Chemistry | ||
Principles of Medicinal Chemistry | ||
Inorganic Chemistry | ||
Organometallic Chemistry | ||
Solid State Chemistry | ||
Group Theory & Spectroscopy | ||
Biochemistry 1 | ||
Biochemistry 2 | ||
Biophysical Chemistry | ||
Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology | ||
Fundamentals and Design of Nanomaterials | ||
Introduction to Analytical Research | ||
or CHEM 5399 | Introduction to Physical Research | |
or CHEM 5499 | Introduction to Organic Research | |
or CHEM 5599 | Introduction to Inorganic Research | |
Concentration Interdisciplinary Course | ||
Select two to three courses from Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or Biomedical Sciences, Center for Sustainability, or GIS courses. Students should register for CHEM 5920 Research Seminar (1 cr) each semester of their first two years before registering for IAS 6010 Interdisciplinary Seminar (1 cr) in years 3 and 4. | 6-9 | |
Total Credits | 15-21 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Concentration Core Department | ||
Select three to four of the following: | 9-12 | |
Hydrology | ||
Scientific Communications | ||
Seminar in Geoscience | ||
Geoscience Journal Club | ||
Divergent & Convergent Margins | ||
Trans Margins & Plate Interior | ||
Atmospheric Chemistry | ||
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
Introduction to Remote Sensing | ||
Geospatial Methods in Environmental Studies | ||
Research Methods | ||
Digital Cartography and Geovisualization | ||
Introduction to Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
Advanced Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
Machine Learning for GIS and Remote Sensing | ||
Microwave Remote Sensing: SAR Principles, Data Processing and Applications | ||
Research Topics | ||
Concentration Interdisciplinary Course | ||
Select two to three of the following: | 6-9 | |
Geographic Information Systems in Biology | ||
Conservation Biology | ||
Fundamentals of Disaster Planning | ||
Research Topics in Environmental and Occupational Health | ||
Cloud Physics | ||
Total Credits | 15-21 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Concentration Core Department | 9 | |
Nanoscience and Nanofabrication Frontiers | ||
Experimental Physics | ||
Mathematical Methods in Physics | ||
Concentration Interdisciplinary Course | ||
Select two to three of the following: | 6-9 | |
Group Theory & Spectroscopy | ||
Fundamentals and Design of Nanomaterials | ||
Solid State Chemistry | ||
Analog Integrated Circuit Design | ||
Filter Design | ||
Digital IC Design | ||
Total Credits | 15-18 |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Core Course | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Spring | ||
Core Course | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Summer | ||
Core or Interdisciplinary Course | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Core or Interdisciplinary Course | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Spring | ||
Core or Interdisciplinary Course | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Summer | ||
Core or Interdisciplinary Course | 3 | |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
IAS 6010 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 1 |
IAS 6030 | Interdisciplinary Research | 2 |
IAS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
IAS 6010 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 1 |
IAS 6030 | Interdisciplinary Research | 2 |
IAS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Summer | ||
IAS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
IAS 6010 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 1 |
IAS 6030 | Interdisciplinary Research | 2 |
IAS 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Spring | ||
IAS 6010 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 1 |
IAS 6030 | Interdisciplinary Research | 2 |
Credits | 3 | |
Total Credits | 42 |