The coursework requirements of the PhD program may be modified in some circumstances, as described below. In all cases, the modifications must be indicated on the PhD degree checklist and approved by the student's assigned Graduate Advisor. When the request includes the waiver of a core course, the syllabus of the prior course must be reviewed by the core course instructor and their evaluation of equivalency is considered by the Graduate Advisor.
Prior Master's Degree
Students with a Master of Science degree awarded in a related field may waive up to 20 units of course requirements. Students requesting a unit waiver must submit the syllabus of the course(s) for review and approval by the Graduate Advisor. Only courses where students received a B- or better can be considered. It is expected that this coursework has been completed in the last 10 years. Approved waivers will be indicated on the degree checklist. In any case, at least 30 units (including 20 letter graded units) must be taken at UC Davis to satisfy degree requirements.
Prior Graduate Level Coursework
Students with prior graduate level coursework without a completed degree may receive course and unit waivers for up to two courses, if deemed applicable. Students requesting a unit waiver must submit the syllabus of the course(s) for review and approval by the Graduate Advisor. Approved waivers will be indicated on the degree checklist. Only courses where students received a B- or better can be considered. It is expected that this coursework has been completed in the last 10 years.
MD/PhD and DVM/PhD
Students pursuing the MD/PhD or DVM/PhD degrees at UC Davis will have the core biology (BIM 202) and physiology (BIM 204) waived. These students may waive up to an additional 10 units of elective coursework. Students requesting a unit waiver must submit the syllabus of the course(s) for review and approval by the Graduate Advisor). Only courses where students received a B- or better can be considered. Approved waivers will be indicated on the degree checklist. In any case, at least 31 units (including 21 letter graded units) must be taken at UC Davis to satisfy degree requirements.
UC Davis Double Major
Students pursuing a double major with another master’s or PhD program at UC Davis may overlap 12 units between programs, as applicable. These courses will be identified on the degree checklist for review and approval by the Graduate Advisor.
BMEGG MS and PhD
Students pursuing a Master’s Plan I degree enroute to the PhD in Biomedical Engineering may apply coursework in full to each degree. The MS Plan II is a terminal degree and cannot be completed enroute to the PhD.