Skip directly to: Navigation for this section | Main page content

Advanced Degree Program for Corporate Employees

The Advanced Degree Program for Corporate Employees is designed to meet the special needs of corporate students while maintaining the campus's high standards for graduate education:

  • Students spend three quarters on the UC Davis campus, enabling them to interact with a diverse group of faculty members and students.
  • Requirements of the program foster considerable subject matter breadth and depth.
  • Students conduct their thesis research at a corporate laboratory site.
  • UC Davis faculty members and corporate scientists provide mentorship.
  • Periodic meetings of students and mentors will be arranged.

The Program for Corporate Employees is administered by the Biotechnology Program in conjunction with the Office of Graduate Studies, the College of Biological Sciences, and the College of Engineering. Employees at regional biotechnology, biomedical, or bioscience corporations may pursue a doctoral degree in one of the following programs:

Biological Sciences:

Engineering:

Guide to the Advanced Degree Program for Corporate Employees:

Admissions

Corporate applicants are subject to the admission requirements of the graduate group that administers the chosen program. These requirements include submission of complete undergraduate transcripts and Graduate Record Examination scores, basic and subject exams, taken within the last three years. For required subject exams, see the specific graduate group.

The graduate group prescreens all potential candidates for any academic deficiencies. Any necessary remedial work must be completed before filing a formal application. The program will admit only applicants who are capable of entering directly into the core curriculum.

back to top

 Curriculum
Corporate students take a course load comparable to that of other students in the graduate group.

For specific requirements, please refer to each graduate group's Web page.

To complete the requirements, corporate students must generally spend at least three academic quarters on the UC Davis campus.

back to top

Laboratory Rotations
Corporate students participate in laboratory rotations if required by the graduate group.

Students choose laboratory rotations that help broaden the research experience. Most graduate groups require three to four rotations in different laboratories before the student joins the laboratory in which the thesis research will occur. Usually corporate students return to their sponsoring industrial laboratory for completion of their thesis research. However, other arrangements are possible if approved by the thesis committee.

back to top

Teaching Assistantships
Students undertake a one-quarter teaching assistantship if required by the graduate group. The corporate student can meet this requirement during the first year when he or she is a resident on campus.

back to top

Qualifying Examinations
Corporate students and other graduate students in the degree program must successfully complete a qualifying examination to advance to candidacy for a Ph.D. A five-member qualifying examination committee appointed by Graduate Studies oversees the examination, which usually occurs at the end of the second year.

back to top

Dissertation Committee
Each student in the degree program has a three-member dissertation committee. In general, a major professor chairs the committee, and the student's corporate mentor serves as co-chair. The remaining member of the committee is a faculty member in the graduate group.

back to top

OPTIONAL: Appointment of Corporate Scientists to the Graduate Group
To supervise the thesis research of a corporate student, a corporate scientist may apply for membership in the graduate group to which to student will belong. Review of the corporate mentor's application and subsequent appointment is contingent on the acceptance of the corporate employee into one of the graduate groups participating in the Advanced Degree Program. A copy of the prospective mentor's curriculum vitae should be included with the student's prescreening application materials.

It is expected that the corporate mentor will be involved in an on-campus teaching endeavor: team-teaching a course, leading a seminar, etc.

back to top

Student Fees and Support
Corporate students in the Advanced Degree Program are responsible for the same enrollment fees as students in other graduate programs at UC Davis. If the corporation will be paying the student's fees, it is the student's responsibility to arrange for this.

back to top


Corporate Gift Program
Each corporation makes an annual, unrestricted, tax-deductible contribution of $5,000 per student. This contribution supports graduate seminars and other programs that enhance graduate education. A minor portion of the gift will be used for costs associated with administering the Advanced Degree Program. The contribution should be paid to the University of California Board of Regents and mailed to the lead dean for the student's graduate program (either the College of Biological Sciences or the College of Engineering).

back to top

Prescreening Application Checklist
Corporate employees who wish to be considered for admission into the Advanced Degree Program should complete the following application materials, which are also identified in the UC Davis Application for Graduate Admission and Fellowship booklet:

  • Application
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GRE scores (basic plus any required subject exams) taken within the last three years sent by the Educational Testing Service
  • Official transcripts
  • Name, address, phone number, e-mail, and curriculum vitae of the proposed corporate mentor

The above materials should not be sent to the Graduate Admissions/Fellowships Office.

Send these materials to:

Judith A. Kjelstrom, Ph.D., Director
Advanced Degree Program
Biotechnology Program
0301 Life Sciences
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8665

Applications should be received by January 15 to be considered for fall admission. Please do not send the application fee until the application has been prescreened.

back to top

For Further Information
If you would like more information about the Advanced Degree Program please write Dr. Kjelstrom at the address listed above or contact her by phone (530) 752-8228, fax (530) 752-4125, e-mail: jakjelstrom@ucdavis.edu.

back to top

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the University's student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Student Judicial Affairs Director Jeanne Wilson, 463 Memorial Union, (530) 752-1128.