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Designated Emphases

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Graduate students in certain Ph.D. programs may participate in a Designated Emphasis, a specialization that might include a new method of inquiry or an important field of application which is related to two or more existing Ph.D. programs.

The curriculum of the Designated Emphasis is offered by a faculty organized in the manner of a Graduate Group.

The Designated Emphasis is awarded in conjunction with the Ph.D. degree and is signified by a transcript designation; for example, "Ph.D. in History with a Designated Emphasis in Critical Theory." Programs approved as Designated Emphases include: Biotechnology; Classics and the Classical Tradition; Computational Science; Critical Theory; Economy, Justice, and Society; Feminist Theory and Research; International Nutrition; Native American Studies; Reproductive Biology; Second Language Acquisition; and Social Theory and Comparative History.

Please note: Ph.D. (not Master's) programs listed among THESE PROGRAMS ONLY offer Designated Emphases. Please contact the staff person for the Designated Emphasis for a form once you have ascertained that it is offered in your chosen program. You will need the support of a faculty member in the chosen Designated Emphasis. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Designated Emphasis Chair for more information.

African American and African Studies

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The Designated Emphasis in African American and African Studies will increase students' understanding of the breadth of past and present research in the subject areas of African American and African Studies. It will also provide the institutional means by which students and faculty already working on areas of inquiry touching upon African American and African Studies can be channeled or concentrated together for interaction and collaboration extending beyond their respective regional homes across the UC Davis campus.

Chair

Milmon Harrison, Associate Professor, African & African American Studies
(530) 754-6622

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Biology of Vector-borne Diseases

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The academic focus of the Designated Emphasis in the Biology of Vector-borne diseases is the scientific study of pathogens, the diseases they cause and the arthropod vectors that transmit the pathogens to humans and animals (domestic and wild). Students trained in this DE will be well poised to design, implement and evaluate methods and interventions to interrupt and control pathogens of human and veterinary importance.

Chair

Anthony Cornel, Assoc Entomologist, Entomology
(559) 646-6556

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Biophotonics

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The DE in Biophotonics, offered by the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology (CBST), offers specific training in the technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy to visualize, measure, analyze, and manipulate biological systems and materials. Biophotonics is used at all scales of biology and medicine, from identification and analysis of organic and biological molecules, to cellular and tissue imaging and manipulation, and, at the largest scale, in the development of light-based surgical tools and whole body imaging.

Chair

Atul Parikh, Professor Applied Science
(530) 754-7055

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Biotechnology

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The designated emphasis in Biotechnology provides a very effective multidisciplinary biotechnology concentration, which includes exposure to bioethics, business and legal aspects of biotechnology as well as a 3-6 month internship in a biotechnology company or research laboratory in another college or national laboratory. Dr. Kjelstrom, the Program Coordinator assists the students in locating internships, preparation of a strong cover letter and curriculum vitae, and the development of professional skills related to the business environment.

Chair

Abhaya Dandakar, Professor, Plant Sciences
(530) 752-7784

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Classics and the Classical Tradition

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The Designated Emphasis in Classics and the Classical Tradition explores the civilizations of Greek and Roman antiquity, and focuses on the influence exerted by the achievements of the Greeks and Romans on later centuries. Students whose interests lie in areas where knowledge of Greek and Roman literature, history, and culture has direct impact on their research program will benefit from systematic training in both the theory and methodology of research in Classics and the Classical Tradition.

Chair

Emily Albu, Assoc. Professor, Spanish & Classics
(530) 752-2739

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Critical Theory

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The DE in Critical Theory at UC Davis provides doctoral students a double opportunity: to participate in interdisciplinary seminars focusing on the rich tradition of critical thought, both ancient and modern; and to add a formal credential in critical theory to their degrees. Our faculty, drawn from various affiliated programs in the humanities and social sciences, offer a wide range of expertise across multiple historical periods and theoretical approaches. Our seminars bring together students and faculty from across this broad disciplinary spectrum, providing a rare opportunity to compare perspectives, and to interrogate the fundamental axioms and principles of social, political and cultural practice.

Chair

Scott Shershow, Professor, English
(530) 752-3269

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Feminist Theory and Research

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The Designated Emphasis in Feminist Theory and Resesarch affords graduate students in affiliated programs the opportunity to augment their Ph.D. in a given discipline with a specialization in Feminist Theory and Research. Typically a graduate student in good standing can enroll in Designated Emphasis in Feminist Theory and Research Courses. Those students in affiliated Ph.D. programs who complete the requirements of the Designated Emphasis will have this noted in their transcripts and their Ph.D. diplomas will indicate the Ph.D. training in the DE as "Special Emphasis in Feminist Theory and Research."

Chair

Liz Constable, Assoc. Professor, French & Italian
(530) 752-5228

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

International and Community Nutrition

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The Program in International Nutrition (PIN) of the University of California, Davis was established in 1987 to coordinate research and training activities concerning human nutrition problems of low-income countries, and of ethnic minorities and disadvantaged groups in the United States. In 1994, the Program became an Organized Research Unit (ORU) under the Office of Research.

Chair

Kathryn Dewey, Professor, Nutrtion
(530) 752-0851

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Native American Studies

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The Designated Emphasis in Native American Studies focuses hemispherically upon the indigenous peoples of the Americans, that is, upon the peoples, nations, tribes, and communities whose ancestors have lived in North, Central and South America from earliest times. This unique hemispheric approach includes attention to the increasing dislocation and diaspora of indigenous people throughout the Americas, and calls upon the authority of Native intelligence (Native voices, Native texts) in all its forms and manifestations to address the issues that concern Native peoples, including the creative strategies for continuance they have developed over the centuries.

Chair

Zolia Mendoza, Professor, Native American Studies
(530) 754-9283

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Reproductive Biology

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The DE in Reproductive Biology offers research opportunities ranging from molecular to organismal, and from basic research to applied studies in agricultural and health related sciences. The astonishing breadth and depth of the campuss research programs in this field have created a dynamic research environment that promotes collaborative investigations and provides outstanding opportunities for graduate education.

Chair

Alan Conley, Professor, POPULATION HEALTH AND REPRODUCTION: VET MED
(530) 752-2128

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Second Language Acquisition

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The Designated Emphasis (DE) provides doctoral students with both a theoretical and practical knowledge of language acquisition and technologically-based language instruction. Graduate students who more fully understand the process of second language acquisition contribute to improving the overall delivery of undergraduate language instruction. Graduate students that complete the DE will significantly increase their prospects in the foreign-language and ESL job market.

Chair

Robert Bayley, Professor, Linguistics
(530) 752-3209

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Social Theory and Comparative History

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Social Theory and Comparative History (STCH) is the graduate teaching program of the Center for History, Society, and Culture. It will be of particular interest to students seeking interdisciplinary graduate training in historically oriented, comparative, and theoretically informed sociohistorical inquiry.

Chair

Eric Rauchway, Professor, History
(530) 752-6380

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Studies in Performance and Practice

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The DE in Studies in Performance and Practice presents a critical way of thinking about practices of communication, from film and stage, to sports, religion, and everday behavior, among many other areas. This DE is inherently interdisciplinary and collaborative, and interacts closely with the proliferating new media for communication. Studies in Performance and Practice engages students in critical approaches to theory and practice.

Chair

Lynette Hunter, Professor, Theatre & Dance
(530) 752-5658

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Translational Research

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The Designated Emphasis in Translational Research (DETR) is an inter-graduate group program that allows Ph.D. students to receive and be credited for training in the area of translational research. This training is a key component of a larger UCD strategy for creating a groundbreaking translational research program that is team-based and multidisciplinary and to make bold new changes in how we train our basic scientist students to discover answers to medical challenges. The overarching goal of the initiative is to provide an innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable model for training a new cadre of PhD biologists who will have productive careers in clinically-relevant basic research.

Chair

Nipavan Chiamvimonvat, Professor in Residence, MED INT MED - CARDIOVASCULAR

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies

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The Designated Emphasis (DE) in Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies (WRaCS) offers PhD students the opportunity to prepare for leadership roles in writing research, teaching, and program administration. This DE provides both a theoretical and practical knowledge of writing instruction, program administration and research. Developing pedagogical strategies and assessment programs which respond to local needs have applications for graduate students interested in researching student writing in both secondary and postsecondary environments.

Chair

Carl Whithaus, Assoc. Professor, University Writing Program
(530) 754-6903

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Last Updated: May 22, 2007