The full IAS Handbook is avialable here.

The distribution of courses in the various IAS areas is determined by the student’s dissertation committee with a minimum total of 48 credit hours between all three areas. A total of 60 credit hours are required with the remaining 12 credit hours coming from dissertation credits. An appropriate coursework track is developed by the student and their mentor with subsequent approval by the IAS Administrative Committee. Some portion of these units may be fulfilled from the appropriate M.S.(R) program taken at SLU, as determined by the dissertation committee.

Assuming successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams, students should complete the Ph.D. program in 4 to 5 years. Students entering the program with an appropriate M.S. degree may complete the program in 2 to 3 years, again assuming successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams.

I. Participating Departmental Core Courses (25-29 Credit Hours)

Students choose a core department (typically where the primary research mentor is housed). Lecture or laboratory-based 500 and 600 level courses are taken in the core department. 400 level courses may be taken in accordance with Graduate School rules.

II. Interdisciplinary Credits (19-26 Credit Hours)

Courses are selected from outside of the core departement, in addition to interdisciplinary seminar courses as described below.

An interdisciplinary seminar course, SCI 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar (1-2 credit hours per semester), is taken for at least 4 and up to 6 semesters. Additionally, students are required to take “Current Topics in Interdisciplinary Research”, where students investigate and discuss current scientific literature across the various disciplines. Both courses feature lectures and discussion across disciplinary boundaries. Students are also encouraged to become actively engaged in interdisciplinary research outside their particular field of specialization, especially as it relates to their own primary research project.

III. Dissertation Credits (12 Credit Hours)

The dissertation committee consists of a primary research mentor, a secondary research mentor from a department outside the student’s core department, and 1-3 other members of the Graduate Faculty. While the primary mentor serves as the main director for their graduate student’s research project, the secondary mentor also plays an important role in the direction and research advising of the student. The secondary mentor meets with the primary mentor and graduate student to collaborate on experimental design and planning as well as subsequent implementation.

Typical Degree Timeline:

Year	Date/Time	Curricular Activity	Curricular Activity Progress
1	Fall Spring Summer	Coursework Coursework + Research Coursework + Research	Student consults (and/or works) with primary and secondary advisors
2	Fall Spring Summer	Coursework + Research Coursework + Research Coursework + Research	Student takes written exam (focus on knowledge in requried fields(s))
3	Fall, Spring & Summer	Dissertation Research (courses optional)	Student takes oral exam (focus on dissertation proposal) Student submits application for candidacy, including: (1) A formal proposal and outline of anticipated dissertation, and (2) Recommendations from a majority of faculty dissertation committee members.
4	Fall, Spring & Summer	Dissertation Research (courses optional)	Student Defends Disseration