The PhD in Biology is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge of research in the areas of  Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Computational Biology

Admissions Requirements

The Admissions Committee makes recommendations for admission to the doctoral program based on the following criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in biology or other pertinent area of science.
• A strong foundation in chemistry (general and organic) and physics.
• Completion of one year of mathematics, preferably calculus.
• A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in 50th percentile or better. The subject test in Biology is recommended, but not required. All applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit their scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• All undergraduate and graduate transcripts and three letters of recommendation.
• Some indication that research potential exists, either from previous work or letters of recommendation.

Bridge Program: To ensure academic success in their graduate studies, students may be required to take additional undergraduate or graduate courses before beginning graduate curricula. Such courses are not counted toward degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

The doctoral curriculum in biology is divided into three areas of study. Each has a set of required courses that provide a formal foundation in research fields covered in that area. Students must earn at least a grade of B in order to receive credit for core courses. The remainder of the course work is chosen in consultation between the student and the advisor and the Standards Committee with permission of the graduate program director.

• 36 credits of course work, including core courses, elective courses, two laboratory rotations, Biology Colloquium.
• Successful completion of qualifying exam.
• A minimum of 36 credits of doctoral dissertation research.
• Successful defense of dissertation.

Program Procedures and Requirements

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Ecology and Evolution
• Computational Biology

How can I learn more?

• Attend a graduate Open House
• Request info from our Graduate Admissions Office