> If you want a PhD and they require publications, you publish where there is a tradition of publishing or it doesn't count.
Most PhD programs require a single publication. It's called a dissertation. Sometimes individual chapters are formatted with an eye towards publication in a particular journal, but I'm not aware of any program, at least in the biological sciences that requires journal publications to get a degree.
Sure, as long as you want no academic career after your doctorate. Most doctorate students I know start stressing if they have no publications by their second year. That includes multiple biology and chemistry grad students.
Some PhD programs (at least in Psychology) require a certain number of peer-reviewed journal articles. In some cases, the dissertation is just 3 or 4 journal articles linked together. It's completely up to the graduate program to decide what the requirements are for completing the PhD.
Most PhD programs require a single publication. It's called a dissertation. Sometimes individual chapters are formatted with an eye towards publication in a particular journal, but I'm not aware of any program, at least in the biological sciences that requires journal publications to get a degree.