FAQs on Admissions

What Are the Application Prerequisites for the Ph.D. Program?

Applicants to both the master's and doctoral programs must have completed an undergraduate major in one of the biological sciences or a related discipline. One semester of either genetics, molecular biology, or biochemistry is required, and a semester of each is highly recommended. In addition, applicants must have completed one year each of inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, mathematics through introductory calculus, and preferably one or more courses in an area of biology in which the student hopes ultimately to specialize. While all prerequisite courses should have been completed prior to commencing graduate studies, the department may allow a student to make up limited deficiencies during the first year of study. Foreign-born applicants who have not earned a U.S. degree will also be required to present evidence of proficiency in English such as satisfactory scores on the TOEFL test.

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy program must present:

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate (and any graduate) work
• Evidence of successful completion of the baccalaureate degree, having achieved an overall cumulative index of B +, as well as a B or better average in Biology and the cognate sciences (including Chemistry and Physics)
• Evidence of an overall cumulative index of B + or better in graduate work, if applicable
• Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination, both general and subject tests (Official score reports must be submitted.); the subject test may be either (a) Biology or (b) Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Three satisfactory letters of reference from science faculty in the applicant's most recent program of study
• A one-page essay describing the candidate's interests, career goals, and special aptitudes

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy program must present:

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate (and any graduate) work
• Evidence of successful completion of the baccalaureate degree, having achieved an overall cumulative index of B +, as well as a B or better average in Biology and the cognate sciences (including Chemistry and Physics)
• Evidence of an overall cumulative index of B + or better in graduate work, if applicable
• Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination, both general and subject tests (Official score reports must be submitted.); the subject test may be either (a) Biology or (b) Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Three satisfactory letters of reference from science faculty in the applicant's most recent program of study
• A one-page essay describing the candidate's interests, career goals, and special aptitudes

Applicants to the Master of Science program must present:

• Official transcripts reflecting all undergraduate (and any graduate) work
• Evidence of successful completion of the baccalaureate degree, having achieved an overall cumulative index of B. as well as a B or better average in Biology and the cognate sciences
• Two letters of recommendation

What Are the Degree Requirements for Graduation?

Doctor of Philosophy

1. Academic Curriculum: Students in the Ph.D. program complete a minimum of 60 credits beyond the B.S. degree or 32 credits beyond the M.S. degree. The core curriculum consists of BIO 207 (Biomolecules and Cell Structure), BIO 208 (Molecular Genetics), BIO 211 (Subcellular Structure and Biochemistry), BIO 212 (Growth, Movement, and Regulation), BIO 215 (Developmental and Systems Biology), and research rotations through at least three research laboratories. In each rotation students are introduced to the specific techniques and research approaches of individual faculty members.
2. Qualifying Examination: A qualifying examination is administered at the end of the first semester of the second year of study. This examination is a test of the ability of the student to organize information learned in several disciplines.
3. Upper-Level Courses: Further training consists of a series of upper-level specialized courses, research courses leading to the development of a doctoral dissertation, and advanced seminars in which specific research questions are examined through use of current experimental literature.
4. Comprehensive Examination: A written comprehensive examination, which covers the student's area of concentration and other subjects approved by the doctoral examination committee, is taken after the student has completed all required courses and submitted an approved research proposal (normally in the third year of study). Questions may be derived from, but are definitely not limited to, specific courses or seminars.
5. Research and Dissertation: All doctoral students are required to complete a minimum of six credits of Doctoral Research (BIO 950) and to submit a dissertation. Upon recommendation of the student's committee, Special Research (BIO 352-353) may be taken as a preparation for dissertation research. Each semester of Special Research requires a written report. The dissertation should embody the results of significant original research and be worthy of publication in a recognized scientific journal. Doctoral candidates must defend the dissertation in a final oral examination before a committee of the faculty
   Seminars. Attendance at Biological Sciences Department Seminars (BIO 599) is required for credit during a total of three semesters. Doctoral students are asked to present the results of their research at these seminars, for which one credit is granted each semester. In subsequent semesters, attendance for no credit is required.
6. Research Tool: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language appropriate to their doctoral research. This requirement can be satisfied by presentation of evidence of a passing grade in a second year, college-level course, by satisfactory scores on the Education Testing Service (ETS) exam in the appropriate language, or by successful completion of two semesters of the non-credit French or German reading courses offered by the Department of Modern Foreign Languages. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in appropriate computer languages by successful completion of a departmental examination or MTH 165; 166.
7. Residence: Students must successfully complete two consecutive academic semesters of full-time study, that is, Fall and Spring, including attendance at seminars.
8. Time Limit: Students must complete all requirements for the degree within seven years from the date of matriculation. Degree credit may be denied for courses more than seven years old.
9. Transfer Credit: Students may seek admission to the Ph.D. program after having successfully completed some graduate work at another accredited institution. Students may request transfer of credit for this work, provided that it has not been offered in fulfillment of another graduate degree.

Master of Science

1. Courses: The M.S. program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of course work, including BIO 207 (Biomolecules and Cell Structure), BIO 208 (Molecular Genetics), BIO 211 (Subcellular Structure and Biochemistry), BIO 212 (Growth, Movement, and Regulation), and BIO 215 (Developmental and Systems Biology). Students may register for upper-level courses in accordance with their career goals and upon the recommendation of the advisory committee.
2. Research: Master's degree students are strongly advised to take Special Research (BIO '52-353). Those demonstrating a particular aptitude for research and all students intending to continue for the Ph.D. are strongly encouraged to select the thesis option which requires six credits of BIO 900 (Master's Research) and the submission of a research thesis as part of their program.
   Seminars. Attendance at the Biological Sciences Department Seminars (BIO 599) for credit during three semesters is required of all graduate students; this is a one-credit pass/fail course. In subsequent semesters, attendance for no credit is required.
3. Language: While there is no specific language requirement for the master's degree, the department strongly recommends that students who intend to continue their studies for a doctoral degree take the E.T.S. Foreign Language examination or register for a non-credit reading course in French (FRE 0101; 0102) or German (GER 0101; 0102). Computer literacy is also considered to satisfy language requirements in doctoral programs.
4. Comprehensive Examination: All students must pass a written comprehensive examination covering current theory, application, and research in areas appropriate to their training and interests. Questions may be derived from but are not limited to specific courses or seminars.
   Residence. The student must successfully complete 12 semester hours of credit in two consecutive semesters.
5. Time Limit: All academic requirements must be completed within five years.

Are There Fellowship and Graduate Assistantship Opportunities?

University Doctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Fellowships are available to qualified students matriculated in the Ph.D. program. University Doctoral Fellowships require no service and provide remission of tuition for 30 graduate credits and fees, plus a stipend. Doctoral Fellowships, providing tuition remission for 24 credits and a stipend, require 8-12 hours per week of service to the Department of Biological Sciences. Both awards include a dependency allowance of $500 per dependent per year. Women doctoral students are eligible for prestigious Clare Boothe Luce Fellowships, awarded on the basis of academic merit to women who expect to pursue university careers.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science program may be eligible for Graduate Assistantships, which provide tuition remission for up to 12 credits per semester and a stipend; the recipient is required to provide 8-12 hours per week of service to the department. Applicants must submit official score reports from the Graduate Record Examinations (general and subject).

How Do I Apply?

Click here for information on graduate applications and instructions.