Biology Society — biosociety.njit@gmail.com

The Biology Society is committed to connect with not only biology major students but students who are generally interested in biology (even if that is not their major). The club holds several events that focus on serving the community. They also hold a lot of biology-related fun events.  

BPO (Beta Psi Omega) — njit@bpsiomega.org

Beta Psi Omega is a professional biology fraternity that serves as a supportive organization for students pursuing careers in the biological sciences, and to further the advancement of biology as a science and a profession. The fraternity aims to provide students with opportunities, insights, and guidance to success. If you are thinking about joining, please visit our website.

PHS (Pre-Health Society) — phs.njit@gmail.com

The main mission of the Pre-Health Society is to guide all pre-health students and connect them together. To correct a common thought, PHS is not only for pre-med students. But it is for everyone who is interested in any branch of the healthcare (doctors, dentists, physician assistants, nurses, and the list goes on and on). The society offers great advice and mentoring that anyone would need throughout their pre-health journey. This guidance prepares its members both academically as well as professionally for their long upcoming journey in the healthcare field. Members get the opportunity to attend workshops that are vital for their preparation to applying to their professional schools and have access to different volunteering and service opportunities that are important for their success. The Pre-Health Society is an organization dedicated to others just like you, and aims to provide meaningful experiences and information that will help you succeed." - (phsnjit)

PDS (Pre-Dental Society) — Predentalsociety.njit@gmail.com and PDA (Project Dental All) — projectdentalall.njit@gmail.com

Info TBD.

HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) — hosa.njit@gmail.com

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the US department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. NJIT has its own chapter here on campus. Members are also allowed to compete on state and national level. HOSA is a great way to enrich your knowledge about the healthcare field as well as build great personal characteristics.

PhD Home | How to apply | Curriculum and Progression | Documents and Forms

General Documents 

Ph.D. Program Guidelines (PDF)

Ph.D. Program First and Second Year Timeline (PDF)

Ph.D. Program Typical Course Progression (PDF)

Graduate Student and Mentor Compact (PDF)

Graduate Faculty Status (PDF)

Program Governance (PDF)

Admissions and Funding (PDF)

Playbook for Public Online Thesis Defenses

Reporting Forms and Documents

Tracking of milestones and related program requirements is done both by the Universities (NJIT Graduate Office if you are an NJIT student, and Rutgers-Newark Graduate School if you are a RU student) and internally by the Program.

NJIT students are required to complete the following:

Responsible Conduct of Research – This is an online training course that NJIT and federal agencies require. Complete this during the first year.

(Institutional Review Board Approval – Only required if you do research involving human subjects or confidential data)

Advisor Designation Form – NJIT only requires this at the end of the second year, but you should complete it once the internal declaration forms are submitted (usually at the end of the first year). Please fill out the GSO Milestone Initiation Request Form via the link to initiate the process.

Qualifying Exam Report – Complete after passing the QE (usually in the summer after Semester 4). Please fill out the GSO Milestone Initiation Request Form via the link to initiate the process.

Committee Appointment Report – Submit after the internal Committee Appointment has been approved. Committees should be formed within 9 months after passing the Qualifying exam. Please fill out the GSO Milestone Initiation Request Form via the link to initiate the process.

Research Proposal Defense Report – Submit after passing the Thesis Prospectus (within a year after the Qualifying Exam). Please fill out the GSO Milestone Initiation Request Form via the link to initiate the process.

Final Defense Report – Submit immediately after the public defense of your thesis. Please fill out the GSO Milestone Initiation Request Form via the link to initiate the process.

You can find a timeline of the milestones and associated required forms here.

RU-N students are required to complete the following:

Application for Admission to Candidacy – Complete after passing the QE (usually in the summer after Semester 4).

Dissertation Defense Report – Complete immediately after the public defense of your thesis.

You can find an overview of the university requirements for doctoral degree candidates here.

All program internal reporting and evaluation forms are Google Forms, and the links are not posted publicly. You can request a link list from the Program Directors or Standards Committee members. Below is a guide to which forms are required.

Mentorship and Rotation Documents

Students:

• Pre-qual Student Project Prospectus Form – An agreement about the scope and time commitment for the lab or field activities planned. A brief description of the proposed plan can either be included (if text only), or emailed separately to the Standards Committee in Word or PDF format. DUE LATEST 2 WEEKS AFTER THE START OF THE MENTORSHIP SEMESTER OR ROTATION.
• Final Report – A written report about the activities and results, the scope and format of which is set by the Mentor. To be submitted to the Standards Committee after Mentor approval. Word or PDF format. DUE LATEST ONE MONTH AFTER COMPLETION OF THE MENTORSHIP SEMESTER OR ROTATION.

Faculty:

• Pre-qual Student Evaluation Form – An assessment of the Student’s performance and potential for dissertation work.

Advisor Declaration

Students:

• Dissertation Advisor Declaration-Student – Declaration of Advisor and (if applicable) Co-Advisor. USUALLY DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 2ND YEAR.

Faculty:

• Dissertation Advisor Declaration-Faculty – Declaration of Credit/Responsibility for the Student as Advisor or Co-Advisor. USUALLY DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 2ND YEAR.

Qualifying Exam

Students:

• Qualifying Exam Prospectus – A brief outline (1-2 pages) of the planned proposal, to be submitted in Word or PDF format to the Standards Committee for approval. USUALLY DUE APRIL 15.
• Qualifying Exam Proposal – The full proposal, to be submitted to the Qualifying Exam Committee. DUE 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE SET EXAM DATE. Click here for a Qualifying Exam Proposal template (.docx).

University Forms - Bring the following forms to your exam(s) and have them signed after successful completion:

• NJIT students: Ph.D. Qualifying Examination Report (collect signatures from Committee Members, Program Director, and Department Chair; submit to Office of Graduate Studies). Please fill out the GSO Milestone Initiation Request Form via the link to initiate the process.
• RU-N students: Application for Candidacy (collect signatures from Committee Members and Program Director; submit to Graduate School)

Faculty:

• Qualifying Exam Report Form – Performance evaluation and specific feedback to the Student. To be submitted by the Committee Chair. DUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE EXAM.

Dissertation Committee Appointment

Students:

• Dissertation Committee Appointment Report – Declaration of committee members who agreed to serve, to be submitted to the Program Directors for approval. DUE PRIOR TO THE THESIS PROSPECTUS, I.E. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE QUALIFYING EXAM.
• NJIT Students also have to complete the University’s Ph.D. Dissertation Committee Appointment Report and submit it to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Thesis Prospectus

Students:

• Thesis Prospectus - The research proposal to be submitted to the Dissertation Committee. DUE 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE THESIS PROSPECTUS MEETING. Click here for a Thesis Prospectus template (.docx).
• After successful completion of the Thesis Prospectus, NJIT students also have to complete the University’s Ph.D. Research Proposal Defense Report and submit it to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Faculty:

• Dissertation Committee Report - The Chair of the Committee should record the outcome of the Thesis Prospectus in the first of these forms.

Dissertation Committee Meetings

Students:

• Progress Reports – Either in writing or as a presentation, as requested by the Dissertation Committee.

Faculty:

• Dissertation Committee Report– to be completed by the Chair of the Committee.

Dissertation Defense

Students:

Thesis – In the semester before the Defense, contact the Office of Graduate Studies (NJIT) or Graduate School (RU N) for details on formatting, registration, and deadlines.

University Forms – To be completed after successful exam. NJIT students: Ph.D. Final Dissertation Defense Report. RU-N students: Dissertation Defense Report

Student Funding and Progress

Faculty:

Advisor Report – annual report on current and projected student support.

PhD Home | How to apply | Curriculum and Progression | Documents and Forms

Synopsis

Progression through the program includes coursework and lab rotations in the first two years (36 course credits). Laboratory rotations will help you to identify a Thesis Advisor and are typically completed by the beginning of the second year. Subsequently, you will commence dissertation research while still completing course work. In the fourth semester, you will prepare a preliminary research proposal as part of the Qualifying Exam, the oral part of which will be held in the summer. Within a year of passing the Qualifying Exam, you will assemble a Dissertation Committee and defend the actual research proposal, the Dissertation Prospectus. When the dissertation research is completed, you will submit a written thesis and conduct a public Dissertation Defense. A minimum of 24 research credits have to be completed. However, the Dissertation Committee decides when sufficient research progress has been made to earn the degree.

Credit requirements and progression through the program are described in abbreviated form below, and in more detail in the Program Guidelines.

Credit requirements are also listed in the University Graduate Catalogs at Rutgers-Newark and NJIT.

Academic Advising - Pre-Qualifying Students

Pre-qualifying students receive advice on course work, rotations, identifying a dissertation advisor, and all other academic matters from the Standards Committee, in coordination with faculty mentors and prospective dissertation advisors. The current Standards Committee members are:

Academic Advising - Post-Qualifying Students

Post-qualifying students receive advice from their Dissertation Committee and Advisor, as well as the Program Directors.

Course Requirements

During the first two years in the program, each student must complete a total of 36 course credits (usually 12 courses, 3 credits each). Courses i0nclude 3 Program Core Courses (9 credits), 2 Laboratory Rotations (6 credits), either 2 or 3 Track Core Courses, depending on the track (6 or 9 credits), and 4 or 5 Electives, depending on the track (12 or 15 credits). To maintain full-time student status, 9 credits are required per semester in the first two years.

Transfer credits and the possibilities for reduced course loads should be discussed with the Program Directors.

Program Core Courses

• Effective College Teaching (26:120:560)
• Critical Thinking for Life Sciences (48:120:630; BIOL 630)
• Approaches in Quantitative Analysis for the Life Sciences (48:120:615; MATH 615)

Track Core Courses

Program Track “Cell and Molecular Biology”:

• Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (26:120:524)*
• Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes (26:120:515)
• Biochemistry (26:160:581)

*Depending on background, Students may first have to complete Cell Biology Methods (26:120:512) as a prerequisite.

Program Track “Neurobiology”:

• Cellular Neurophysiology (BIOL 640)
• Systems Neuroscience (BIOL 641)
• Analytical and Computational Neuroscience (MATH 635)*

*Appropriate course may be substituted for students with stronger interests in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience or Neuroethology and Behavior.

Program Track “Ecology and Evolution”:

• Ecology (26:120:523)
• Evolution (48:120:622; BIOL 622)

Laboratory Rotations

Each student has to complete two Laboratory Rotations (3 credits each), which consist of laboratory research and independent study with Graduate Faculty members.

Rotations with RU-N faculty:

• Advanced Problems in Biology 120:509/510

Rotations with NJIT faculty:

• Independent Study BIOL 725/726

Typically, the first rotation is completed in the Spring of the first year, and the second one in the Summer (counting for the following Fall semester). The main objective of the lab rotations is to identify a lab in which to complete dissertation work. Additional anticipated outcomes of the rotations include the development of laboratory and/or computational research skills, development of analytical and critical thinking skills, and appreciation of a specific research field. It is expected that the Rotation Advisor is potentially willing to become the Dissertation Advisor and can provide space and funding, unless this decision has been made prior to the rotation. It is strongly recommended that the first rotation will be done in the laboratory the student favors for dissertation work. For students who have identified a “home” after the first rotation, the second one can be used to broaden their conceptual perspective and/or technical skills.

Elective Courses

All students have the opportunity to add to their knowledge base by properly selecting Elective Courses. Elective Courses may be taken from offerings within the program (including Core Courses of other tracks), and in other graduate programs at NJIT and Rutgers (including Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science and Rutgers New Brunswick), for example in Environmental Sciences, Behavioral and Neural Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, and Computer Sciences. 

Grade Requirements

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better for all courses taken as part of the graduate course of study. Courses cannot be repeated in order to improve on poor performance. Students can receive grades of C or C+ in a maximum of two courses, only one of which may be in the Program and Track Core courses. Receipt of a grade of F in any course – Core or Elective – will under normal circumstances result in dismissal from the program at the end of the academic year.

Biology Colloquium

The Biology Colloquium is held weekly during the semester and consists of research presentations by invited speakers, students, and faculty, as well as professional development/career advice events and organizational meetings. All students, including post-qualifying students, are required to attend while being matriculated in the program. 

Mentoring Semester

Every incoming student will be assigned to a “Mentor Lab” for their first semester in the program. During this time, each student is required to actively participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, and other general lab activities. Additionally, the student must participate in some minimal form of research work as determined by agreement with the Faculty Mentor. The mentorship semester is not for credit, but intended to give incoming students a "home" with desk space, and the opportunity to get used to academic life.

Selection of Dissertation Lab

Following completion of the laboratory rotations, students must select a Graduate Faculty member who will serve as their Dissertation Advisor during the research phase of the doctoral program. Once completed, the student will commence developing a project and accumulating preliminary data for the dissertation. The program accommodates joint or interdisciplinary projects supervised by two or more faculty members. The program encourages a cooperative approach to graduate training. To this end, faculty and students have developed the Graduate Student and Mentor Compact, which lists practices intended to establish a productive relationship between student and advisor(s), as well as expectations that each partner may have for the conduct of that relationship. 

Qualifying Exam

Following the successful completion of all course requirements, rotations, and identification of the Dissertation Advisor, each student must pass a Qualifying Exam to remain in the program. After successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, the student becomes a Ph.D. candidate. The exam is typically held in June of the second year, unless the coursework was completed earlier. The exam will be administered by a Qualifying Exam Committee of three Graduate Faculty members. The overall purpose of the Qualifying Exam is to assess the student’s preparation and ability to plan an original, scholarly scientific investigation. The Qualifying Exam consists of a written research proposal and an oral exam. 

Dissertation Committee 

Within 9 months of the completion of the Qualifying Exam, the student assembles a Dissertation Committee, under the guidance of the Dissertation Advisor. The Dissertation Committee will be composed of the student’s Dissertation Advisor, one external member from outside the NJIT-Rutgers scholarly community, and two (Rutgers) or three (NJIT) members of the Biology Graduate Faculty. It is the primary advisory group responsible for supervision and guidance of the Student during the research phase of the dissertation. The Dissertation Committee also serves as the examination committee for the Dissertation Defense. The Dissertation Committee regularly meets with the student in 6-12 months intervals to discuss research progress, experimental challenges, and potential changes to the original plan. The ultimate charge of the Dissertation Committee before the Dissertation Defense is to ensure that the student is making appropriate progress towards a timely and successful defense.

Thesis Prospectus

Within a year of the Qualifying Exam, the student presents and defends the Thesis Prospectus (the dissertation research proposal) to the Dissertation Committee. The written Thesis Proposal should follow the format of NIH or NSF postdoctoral fellowship applications. The Thesis Proposal meeting is an oral exam that will determine the student’s ability to conceive, design, and conduct the proposed research project. It is a required milestone in the program, and approval by the Dissertation Committee should be viewed as a statement that the scope and originality of the proposal is sufficient to earn a Ph.D. degree upon successful completion. 

Dissertation Defense

Completing the program and earning a doctoral degree requires a written Thesis, a public Dissertation Defense, and an oral examination by the Dissertation Committee. Approximately six months prior to the planned Dissertation Defense, the Dissertation Committee will evaluate if sufficient progress has been made to warrant final preparation of a thesis and to establish an approximate timetable for the thesis public presentation and private defense. The completed Thesis document must be submitted to all members of the Dissertation Committee at least one month prior to the scheduled Dissertation Defense. The Dissertation Defense must be advertised in advance, with a minimum of 10 days’ notice, and open to anyone wishing to attend.

The Rutgers Graduate School has a seven-year limit for full-time Students for attaining a doctoral degree. The NJIT Office of Graduate Studies allows no more than six years of registration for doctoral dissertation.

Timeline

Pre-qualifying Students (a first and second year timeline is available here)

Year 1, Fall Semester: Mentoring Semester, 3 courses

Year 1, Spring Semester: 2 classroom courses, first lab rotation.

Year 1, Summer: Second lab rotation

Year 2, Fall Semester: Advisor declaration, begin dissertation research, 2 classroom courses, credit for summer rotation.

Year 2, Spring Semester: 3 courses. Preparation of Qualifying Exam Proposal.

Year 2, Summer: Qualifying Exam

Post-qualifying Students

Year 3: Dissertation Research, Assemble Dissertation Committee, Thesis Prospectus

Year 4, 5, …: Dissertation Research, Biannual Dissertation Committee meetings, Dissertation Defense 

PhD Home | How to apply | Curriculum and Progression | Documents and Forms

Application Process

Application requirements and information about financial support are listed below. 

Our program is federated across Rutgers-Newark and NJIT. Students can work with faculty, do research, and take classes at either institution, regardless of where they are matriculated. However, funding mechanisms and administrative details can differ between universities. Therefore, we encourage you to apply to the university that houses the lab of your potential Faculty Mentor. If you are considering several options on either side, don’t worry about it too much. We will help to figure out the best option. Our Recruitment and Admissions Committee will help you through the process, and we recommend contacting any of committee members before you start the application process. The current members are:

Requirements

As an applicant to the program, you are expected to meet a number of criteria, as listed below. Our Recruitment and Admissions Committee selects applicants for video and on-site interviews based on those criteria, but can make exceptions based on your strengths in other areas. Usually, you should have:

• 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.
• If you are an international applicant and your primary language is not English, you most likely will need to submit language proficiency exam scores.

To be considered for financial support, your completed application should be submitted by December 15, 2025 for admission for Fall 2026. Admission for the Spring semester is only considered in exceptional cases. Applications should include the following:

• all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• a statement of purpose
• a Resume or CV
• TOEFL or other language proficiency scores (if applicable, see here).

The GRE is not required for the Biology PhD admissions process. Letters of recommendation or the previous work record should show some indication that research potential exists.

Financial support

Along with applicant experience and research interests, admission to this PhD program is based on funding opportunities, which vary considerably from year to year. Student funding usually comes from a combination of Teaching Assistantships, University Fellowships, extramural stipends, and faculty research grants. You are encouraged to contact potential mentors to discuss funding opportunities.

Incoming full-time students are awarded Teaching Assistantships or nominated for University Fellowships on a competitive basis by the Department Chair, on the recommendations of the Admissions and Recruitment Committee and the Graduate Director. Teaching Assistantships are renewable on a yearly basis for up to six years based on satisfactory progress in the program. Decisions about Teaching Assistantships are made based on student qualifications, current support of students in labs of individual Graduate Faculty, and the balance of funding distributed across program tracks and research fields. Both incoming and continuing students are encouraged to apply to national, regional, and state level funding agencies to obtain grant support for their intended research.

Frequently asked questions

Are Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores required?

No.

Are language proficiency exams required?

From the NJIT PhD application website: “The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Duolingo, PTE or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required for all international applicants not holding a degree from a United States post-secondary institution.  The minimum score required is 79 for the Internet-based TOEFL exam, 213 for the computer-based TOEFL exam, or 550 for the paper-based TOEFL exam.  A minimum score of 6.5 with no sub-score lower than 6.0 is required for the IELTS exam. A minimum score of 120 is required for the Duolingo exam. A minimum score of 57 is required for the PTE exam.”

What funding is available for PhD students?

Admitted, funded students receive up to six years of funding through a variety of funding sources, most commonly through Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, and fellowships. This funding includes a competitive stipend, health insurance, and full tuition support. 

Do you offer spring admissions?

The program does not offer spring admissions, except in rare cases.

What is the application deadline?

The program application deadline is December 15 to be considered for admission the following fall.

Are official transcripts required to apply?

No, however, official transcripts will be required at a later stage of the application process.

Are self-reported or unofficial IELTS scores acceptable?

Yes, however, official scores will be required at a later stage of the application process.

Is a WES evaluation of transcripts required? 

No.

Is it necessary to contact a faculty member prior to submitting the application?

No, however, if you have a strong research interest that overlaps with a faculty member you are encouraged to contact them ahead of the application deadline.

I do not see a place to upload supporting documents on the application website. How do I add documents to my application?

You will have the option to upload supporting documentation after you click "submit" on the application page.

What are my chances of admission?

It is not possible to estimate chances of admission before the admissions committee has received a complete application that has been assessed in the context of the entire applicant pool. Admissions decisions are contingent on funding availability, which varies across years.