2. Candidates shall be granted a diploma equivalence where they have earned a postgraduate university diploma comprising:(1) not less than 9 credits in postgraduate-level biochemistry courses or in a related field recognized by the board of directors;
(2) not less than 36 months of studies and research at a university in biochemistry or in a related field recognized by the board of directors; and
(3) the writing and defence of a doctoral thesis based upon research carried out by the candidate.