biology phd government

Ph.D. Program in Biology

Our graduate program provides students of diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to intensely engage in research in the biological sciences and contribute to the broader scientific community.

Average time to degree: 5.3 years

Percentage of graduates in post-doctoral or permanent positions: 94%

Average publications after completion of program: 3.8 per person

Ph.D. Program

The Department of Biology introduces graduate students to diverse fields of biological science, and provides them with expert guidance to excel in research. The department is invested in training students to become excellent scientists, researchers, science communicators, and instructors. We are a diverse and global community, committed to expanding scientific career opportunities to all. Some of our graduates become academics, whereas others find careers in government, private industry, public policy, or elsewhere (see where recent graduates are now). The ability to communicate ideas and research results clearly and convincingly is key to success in any career.

Experience Biology at Georgetown University

Professors and current students share their perspectives on Georgetown’s cutting-edge biology graduate program.

Potential applicants are urged to identify and contact potential research mentors directly before applying. Please refer to the research page and the list of faculty interested in accepting students . Not all laboratories will have open positions available for a new graduate student in a given year.

Financial Assistance for PhD Students

    students who are accepted into the phd program in biology are guaranteed a minimum of five years of full funding. this funding includes:.

Stipend The stipend for PhD students in Biology is set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Georgetown University and the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees ( GAGE ). The current stipend rate is $36,934 for the year. The stipend is paid on a 12-month contract, typically in 26 biweekly paychecks.

Tuition Waiver The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) provides full tuition waivers for all PhD students for the duration of the PhD program.

Health Insurance Health insurance is required. The GSAS provides free student health insurance to all students. The insurance covers doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs. Students may waive this benefit if they prefer a different plan through parents or a spouse.

Dental Insurance The GSAS provides free dental insurance to all students. The insurance covers routine dental care, such as cleanings and exams.

Yates Athletic Facility All students are eligible to use the Yates athletic facility for free. The facility has a gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes.

Parental Leave Graduate student workers are guaranteed six weeks of paid parental leave. This leave can be used to bond with a new child or to care for a sick child.

Medical Leave Graduate student workers are guaranteed six weeks of paid medical leave. This leave can be used to recover from a medical condition or to care for a sick family member.

To learn more about financial assistance for PhD students, please visit the Graduate Funding page. You can read more about what it means to do a PhD in a union-protected graduate program  here

Student Quotes

“Until you start your journey in grad school you might not know what you are missing out on. Other than the course work, grad school has been instrumental in  inculcating important life values and skills such as confidence, time management, survival, and holding personal and professional relationships in higher esteem. ”

“Studying at Georgetown has enabled me to be a lot more confident in my ability to ask questions and chart my own path in scientific research. My advisor and mentors here at Georgetown have been top quality in terms of both academic and personal support”

“Georgetown is a place with an environment conducive to learning and professional growth for prospective scientists working towards their graduate degrees and beyond. In this program, I found mentorship and training that foster the critical thinking required to answer the questions I am interested in. I found the multidisciplinary nature of the graduate student body to be engaging and supportive from the beginning of my journey.”

“The breadth of research that goes on in the Bio department really facilitates a broad understanding of biology from the life of single cells to the life of much larger organisms. It really is something unique that you don’t get at other more specific departments and has really helped me think outside of the box with my own work.”

Graduate Research Opportunities

Learn about the research programs that the department of Biology offers and find out which programs are recruiting graduate students.

Graduate Teaching Opportunities

Find out about the many opportunities that are offered to graduate students to develop teaching and mentoring skills.

Graduate Funding Opportunities

Learn about stipend funding and the additional funds from the GU Graduate School offered to help support graduate dissertation research or travel to meetings.

About the Program

Make an impact as an expert in your field with a PhD in Biology from Case Western Reserve University, one of the top research universities in the U.S. Our rigorous curriculum and research opportunities will prepare you to work at high-profile universities, in industry, at government agencies, or in renowned medical institutions, including Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals. No matter where your career takes you, our network of more than 110,000 alumni will have your back as you critically identify and analyze biological problems. Plus, with full tuition coverage, a competitive 12-month stipend through a research or teaching assistantship, and a medical plan, all you have to focus on is completing your program.

Student Resources

Whether you’re looking for information about education abroad opportunities, have questions about visas, or are interested in international opportunities on campus, these quicklinks will help you quickly navigate some of the key resources our website offers for students.

What to Expect

Here, you’ll join a group of students with diverse goals and research pursuits. Our faculty teach a wide variety of courses, but they specialize in neuromechanical systems, ecological consequences of environmental change, and cell and developmental biology. You’ll benefit from their expertise in classes such as ecophysiology of global change, functional genomics, and ecology and evolution of infectious diseases.

You’ll work closely with our supportive faculty to meet your research goals, and ultimately defend your dissertation.

The average time to graduation is six years, during which time you can publish your research as you make strides toward your career. For example, our faculty and PhD students publish their research in influential journals, including Science , Development , PLoS Biology , Ecology Letters , Proceedings of the Royal Society , and Current Biology .

Our biology faculty serve on editorial boards of more than 15 prestigious journals, including Cell Transplantation , Journal of Applied Ecology , Oxford Bibliographies , and others. 

Many of our PhD students conduct research at the Biology Research Station at the Squire Valleevue Farm which features over 400 acres of diverse natural habitat, a research greenhouse, experimental ponds, growth chambers, and modern lab and classroom spaces.

Request Information

Beyond the classroom.

Because of the abundance of incredible organizations in Cleveland, we created the BioScience Alliance . Researchers at CWRU, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Holden Arboretum make up this powerhouse group that conducts research and training programs in biology. Having organizations such as these right in your backyard—and taking advantage of the opportunities they offer—can lead to full-time employment after graduation, just as it has for many of our graduates.

We also have a new learning and research space for you to explore: Bio[box] . Here, you’ll have access to cutting-edge tools and, with the help of faculty and fellow students, you’ll produce groundbreaking research results.

By the Numbers

tuition coverage through teaching and research assistantships

university in the nation, U.S. News & World Report

for contributions to innovation, Nature Index Innovation

students in the program

years to complete, on average

Admission Requirements

Our program thrives when we have students with diverse perspectives and a range of educational, professional and life experiences. We look forward to learning more about you!

The application process requires:

• Online application , including a personal statement that identifies three potential faculty advisors who would be a good fit for you
• $50 application fee
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in one of the science disciplines (either already complete, or will be complete before you enroll)
• Unofficial transcripts
• Current resume/CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Test scores for GRE (optional)
• International applicants: Results of TOEFL or IELTS  

Quick Links

Ying-Bei Eldridge Student Services Specialist, Department of Biology College of Arts and Sciences Telephone 216.368.3556 Email [email protected]

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Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in (Marine) Microbial Natural Product Chemistry

• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, 24148 Kiel, Germany
• The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff
• Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)

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Scientific Director, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)

• Bethesda, Maryland (US)
• Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate.
• National Cancer Institute - OD

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS) NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH (CCR)...

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Staff Fellow – Researcher-Reviewer

• Silver Spring, Maryland
• Salary is commensurate with education and experience, including an excellent benefits package
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

FDA is recruiting Staff Fellows to serve as researcher-reviewers in the Tumor Vaccines and Biotechnology Branch (TVBB)

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Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in ‘‘Seaweed polymer/biomolecule chemistry and valorisation‘‘

View details Post-doctoral researcher (m/f/d) in ‘‘Seaweed polymer/biomolecule chemistry and valorisation‘‘

• 21 days ago
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Staff Scientist 1

• Baltimore, Maryland
• Based on experience
• The National Institutes of Health

The Staff Scientist 1 will play a major role in collaboration with the Laboratory Chief

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• 29 days ago
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Research Fellow / Scientist (VT Lab), IMCB

• Singapore (SG)
• Salary (SGD) + Bonus + Benefits
• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)

View details Research Fellow / Scientist (VT Lab), IMCB

• 37 days ago
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Postdoctoral Fellowship - Graph Database Developer

• Bethesda, Maryland
• National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine

Postdoctoral Fellowship - Graph Database Developer Organization National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD and surro...

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• 4 days left
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PostDoc Researcher, Magnetic Recording Materials Group, National Institute for Materials Science

• Tsukuba, Japan (JP)
• To be determined in accordance with the Salary Regulations for Fixed Term Employees
• National Institute for Materials Science

Starting date would be after January 2025, but it is negotiable.

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• 7 days left
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Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of Computer Simulation of Magnetic Materials

• Tsukuba city, Japan (JP)
• Approx. 4,500,000 Japanese yen per year
• National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)

Study on magnetic properties of permanent magnets by employing statistical physics approaches. Theoretical research on permanent magnets has tradit...

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Director, Office of Cancer Centers

• Salary is based on the compensation range and experience with a not-to-exceed amount of $248,000

Director, Office of Cancer Centers Office of the Director National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Se...

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Principal Investigator, GIS

The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) is Singapore's flagship institute for the genomic sciences. 

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Postdoctoral Research Fellows - Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program

• Various locations in the U.S.
• Reimbursement of local living expenses
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

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Postdoctoral Research Associates - NRC Research Associateship Programs

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Director, Division of Genome Sciences

• Commensurate with experience
• National Human Genome Research Institute

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human...

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Postdoctoral Researcher - Evaluation of eye tracking and video technology, 1 FTE, CÚRAM (010564)

• Galway (City), Connacht (IE)
• competitive
• University of Galway (NUI Galway)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, fixed term contract position as a Postdoctoral Researcher - EU Researc...

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Postdoctoral Fellowship, Molecular and Cellular Immunoregulation Section (MCIS)

• Salary is commensurate with experience and accomplishments.
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

A postdoctoral fellowship position is available in the Molecular and Cellular Immunoregulation Section (MCIS), Laboratory of Immune System Biology.

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• 15 days ago
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Postdoctoral Fellowship, Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB)

Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB), NIAID, seeks candidates for a quantitative experimental biology postdoctoral fellowship position.

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• 16 days ago
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Postdoctoral Fellowship, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (LMIV)

Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology has an opening for a postdoctoral fellow in the Molecular Pathogenesis and Biomarkers Section (MPBS).

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Tenured Faculty Fellow - Jefferson Science Fellowships

• Washington D.C. (US)

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• 19 days ago
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Postdoctoral Researcher - Actuatable Immune Cell Therapy, 1 FTE, School of Engineering, 010532

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed position as a Postdoctoral Researcher in  Biomedical Engineering ...

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Department of Biological Sciences

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

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• BA in Biology
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PhD in Biology

• Systematics, Evolution & Ecology Focus
• Cellular & Molecular Biology Focus

Graduate Student Resources

• Research Facilities
• Wilbur V. Harlan Research Fellowship
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Our past doctoral graduates are now successfully pursuing research and research-related careers at top universities and across private and government sectors. Moreover, our location in Washington, D.C., grants our graduate students access to numerous research institutions, museums and funding agencies located in and around our nation's capital.

Each doctoral program is tailored to the student and developed in consultation with an advisory committee. Doctoral candidates build close relationships with faculty and researchers , publish their work in national journals and pursue exciting projects in campus laboratory facilities .

Apply to GW

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Focus Areas

Students are provided the option to focus on one of two research areas:

Cellular and Molecular Biology

Systematics, Evolution and Ecology

"In my PhD research, every stage was a challenge. I found myself doing something I had never done before, and I love that feeling."

Daniela Campanella PhD ’15 Guillermo Orti Lab

Funding 

PhD candidates in biology generally receive five years of funding, and one additional year may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students receiving funding must select a research advisor or co-advisor from within the Department of Biological Sciences.

Find More Funding Resources

Exams and Dissertation

Coursework is designed to prepare students for general examinations in three or more fields relevant to an area of interest. Following exams, students undertake dissertation research under the guidance of a dissertation director. The final examination is an oral defense of the dissertation.

Learn more about dissertation format and submission on the GW Libraries’ Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) website.

Suggested Timeline

• Year 1: Meet with the biology director of graduate studies regarding any transfer credits; meet with chosen research advisor and General Examination Committee to execute a Program of Study; begin researching dissertation topics; identify possible members of the Dissertation Research Committee
• Year 2: Complete course work and take general examination within the following semester; pass general examination and advance to candidacy; write dissertation proposal and deliver accompanying oral presentation to committee
• Years 3–5: Register for BISC 8999 each semester; arrange periodic progress meetings with Dissertation Research Committee; complete dissertation; complete dissertation defense; submit final dissertation electronically to Gelman Library

Course Requirements

A completed Doctor of Philosophy in Biology degree requires 72 course credits, including 12–24 credits of dissertation research. A previously completed Master of Science degree serves as the equivalent of 24 credit hours (i.e., students with an MS need to register for 48 hours to complete the PhD course requirements).

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 72 credits, including one-3-credit required course and 6 to 27 credits in thesis research. To advance to candidacy, successful completion of at least 45 credits of approved graduate-level coursework and completion of a general examination, comprising both written and oral examinations, are required. Students entering the program with a master's degree may be allowed to transfer up to 30 credits of graduate-level coursework into the program.

 Students can choose to focus on one of two research areas: Cellular and molecular biology, or systemics, evolution, and ecology. Coursework is designed to prepare each student for a general examination in three specific fields of study relevant to their chosen research area. These fields of study are determined in consultation with an advisory committee appointed for the candidate.

Following the field examinations, students undertake dissertation research under the guidance of a dissertation director. The final examination is an oral defense of the dissertation.

Graduate Admissions

Helpful guides for applying to the biology phd program, tips for applying to the cmob track, tips for applying to the eco/evo track.

The PhD program trains students for careers in research and teaching. In addition to a wide range of courses, the PhD program offers informal but intensive instruction in laboratories and seminars, characterized by close contact between students and their faculty advisors. Biology is one of fourteen home programs  in the  Biosciences,  which span the School of Medicine and the School of Humanities and Sciences.

How to Apply

For the 2023-2024 PhD application season, application processes will be run through existing Biology (School of Humanities & Sciences)  and the Oceans Department(Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability). 

Previously part of the Biology Department , Hopkins Marine Station is now part of the Oceans Department within the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS).  Several faculty took appointments in Oceans, while others chose to stay in Biology; still others have joint appointments.  Additionally, several faculty members in Ecology/Evolutionary Biology now have joint appointments within Biology and SDSS. Based on these changes, the following information will provide further guidance for the application process. 

• Faculty with 100% appointments in Biology, will only recruit through Biology.  The Biology application will be used.
• Ecology/Evolutionary Biology faculty with 50/50 appointments in both Biology and SDSS will recruit students through either Biology or Earth Systems Science .  If you are interested in working with Ecology/Evolutionary faculty with joint Biology/SDSS appointments, you should reach out to them directly regarding the appropriate application track to choose. 
• 100% Oceans faculty will only be recruiting students through the Earth Systems Science application.
• Oceans faculty appointed 50/50 in Biology and SDSS (Oceans Department), will recruit students through either Biology or Earth Systems Science .  If you are interested in working with Oceans faculty with joint Biology/SDSS appointments, you should reach out to the individual faculty members you hope to work with regarding the appropriate application and track to choose. 

Faculty Affiliated with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Oceans Department:

Fio Micheli 100% 

Jeremy Goldbogen 100%

Giulio De Leo 100%

Larry Crowder 100%

Steve Palumbi 50% Oceans/50%Biology

Barbara Block 50% Oceans/50% Biology

*Note Chris Lowe will remain 100% in Biology

Ecology/Evolution

Liz Hadly 50% SDSS/50%Biology

Rodolfo Dirzo 50% SDSS/50%Biology

Tad Fukami 50% SDSS/50%Biology

Kabir Peay 50% SDSS/50%Biology

Chris Field 50% SDSS/50% Biology

Gretchen Daily 50% SDSS/50% Biology

Application and Deadline

Stanford Biology PhD Program applications are made through Graduate Admissions . The application deadline for Autumn Quarter 2024 matriculation is December 5, 2023 at 11:59pm pst.  The application for the Autumn 2024 cohort will be available in September 2023.  Please review the Graduate Admissions website prior to starting your application. Applications are considered for admission in Autumn Quarter only. 

Application Status

To check your application status,  click here to Visit Your Status Page .  

Requirements

• U.S. Bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent
• Stanford Graduate application
• Non-refundable application fee of $125 (or fee waiver found here ) 
• Statement of Purpose
• Three Letters of Recommendation (a maximum of four letters will be accepted)
• Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts from all universities and colleges you've attended for one year or more must be uploaded to the online application.  Graduate Admissions only requires admitted applicants who accept the offer of admission to submit official transcripts that shows their degree conferral. Please do not send or have sent any official transcripts to us at this time.
• TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language (required for non-native English speakers)
• A current Curriculum Vitae/Resume

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of  Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about  KHS admission .

Biology PhD Program General Information

Diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging.

The Department of Biology recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision. The Department of Biology welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.Please see the websites below for more resources.

• Diversity and Engagement in Biosciences PhD Programs
• Vice Provost for Graduate Education
• Biology Equity and Belonging
• Research Sites
• Faculty Profiles and Labs
• Inquiries about the PhD in Biology should be directed to  biologyadmissions [at] lists.stanford.edu (biologyadmissions[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu)

Department of Biology

• Majors & Minors
• Graduate Programs
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• Ph.D. Program

The Department of Biology offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Quantitative Biology with research emphasis in a number of areas including: Genome Biology & Genetics, Cell Biology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, or Microbiology. The doctoral program is designed to train students to apply sophisticated quantitative techniques to solving basic and applied problems in biology. Students in this program will attain substantially greater quantitative skills than in traditional doctoral programs in the biological sciences, providing them with a competitive advantage in business, industry, government, and academia.

The  University Catalog  contains all UTA admission requirements for the Department of Biology Ph.D. program.

How to Apply

First, read the general instructions for applying to the graduate program and download the checklists available on the Office of Graduate Studies webpage:  www.uta.edu/admissions/graduate/apply

International applicants have specific requirements, and a separate admissions checklist, available here: https://www.uta.edu/admissions/apply/international-graduate  

Additionally, the Department requests that applicants fill out the following questionnaire as part of the application package:  https://common.forms.uta.edu/view.php?id=2034157   Students are accepted into our Ph.D. program as either direct admit or rotation students. 

Direct admit: To qualify as a direct admit, an applicant must secure the backing of a faculty member before applying, mention their faculty support in their letter of intent, and ask that their faculty member reach out to Dr. Mark Pellegrino ( [email protected] ).

To secure the support of a faculty member before applying, begin by visiting our Biology faculty page: https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/science/departments/biology/faculty - research/faculty , review the research focuses of the labs, and contact individual faculty members to discuss your research interests. Explain how your interests align with their lab and inquire if they would consider having you join their lab as a new Ph.D. candidate.

Rotation program: Applicants would choose this option if they are unsure which area of research interests them. Please indicate your interest in the rotation program in your letter of intent. Applicants admitted into the program will perform three rotations in three separate labs. At the end of the rotation period, applicants are placed in a home lab under the guidance of a Rotation Program Committee. Applicants will select their rotation labs only after being admitted into the Ph.D. program. Please note that applications to the rotation program are only considered for the Fall semester . For more information about the rotation program, please contact the chair of the Rotation Program Committee, Dr. Mark Pellegrino ( [email protected] ).

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED ON THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:

Questions? Please contact : [email protected]  

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in the Department of Biology must apply to either the “B.S. to Ph.D. track” or the “Ph.D. program”, with the corresponding prerequisites:

B.S. to Ph.D. track:  A bachelor's degree in biology, or a bachelor's degree in some other discipline with at least 12 hours of advanced level coursework (junior or senior level courses) in biology. This is the Ph.D. track designed for students with a B.S and without master’s degree, which tends to be the majority of applicants.

Ph.D. program:  This track is for students that already have a master's degree in biology, or at least 30 hours of graduate level coursework in biology. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale), as calculated by the Graduate School, is expected. An applicant's GPA in science courses will be taken into consideration. If an applicant has a master's degree, the GPA from their master's degree will also be considered. For applicants with up to 30 hours of graduate coursework but no master's degree, the GPA from those hours will be also be taken into consideration.

GRE:   The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer required for admission. 

Application, scores, and transcripts:   Your online application will include instructions for uploading transcripts, test scores, and any other required materials. 

International students:  Students whose native language is not English must provide a score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) of at least 45, a minimum score of 23 on the Speaking portion of the TOEFL iBT exam or a minimum score of 7 on the Speaking portion of the IELTS exam. See the following website for complete details:  https://www.uta.edu/admissions/apply/international-graduate

Letters of recommendation:  Three letters  of recommendation are required for admission to the program. Ideally one or two letters should come from professors or instructors who can speak to your academic abilities; others may come from employers or other individuals who can comment on your work ethic and potential for graduate study. Letters should be emailed directly from the letter writer to [email protected] . If you have questions regarding letters of recommendation, please email [email protected] and include your UTA ID #, provided within your online application.

Letter of intent:  Please email a Letter of Intent to [email protected] and include the following information:

• Your full name and UTA ID #.
• Indicate that you are seeking the Ph.D. degree in Quantitative Biology
• Tell us which research track or types of research you are interested in. Examples include: Genome Biology & Genetics, Cell & Developmental Biology, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, or Microbiology
• Provide names of any specific faculty member(s) that you are interested in working with if you have particular preferences. Note, however, that it is also OK if you are not sure what faculty member you are interested in working with (which is common), in which case, we will use your research interests above to help match you with potential faculty research mentors. We also encourage you to reach out to faculty members directly by email to discuss the potential for research in their lab, and if you have contacted any, please put this information in your letter of intent.
• How do you decide on which lab to conduct research in for your PhD? - Some students have a clear idea of their research interests, others may not. Both situations are common and our PhD program can account for both types of students, and students can decide on a single lab upfront to conduct research (direct admission) or decide to rotate in multiple labs during their first year, and decide which of these they will do their PhD work in in the second year. Our diverse department enables a broad range of research opportunities.
• Identify if you wish to be admitted directly to a single faculty member’s laboratory (and identify this faculty member), or indicate that you are interested in potentially rotating in multiple labs (2-3 labs) in the first year to make this decision. If interested in a lab rotation, please also indicate which faculty members’ labs are of interest, and if you have been in contact these faculty. More information about Rotations is provided below.
• Your Letter of Intent should also include details of your experience, training, any research experience you may have had, and motivations that you believe make you a strong candidate for success in a PhD program. You may also briefly discuss the long-term professional goals that motivate you to work towards a PhD. This is also an appropriate place to clarify details of your academic and work experience to date.

What is the letter of intent used for:

• The letter of intent is used to help the department link interested candidates with potential research professors/labs, and serves as an opportunity for the applicant to make a personal argument for why they believe they will be successful in conducting a PhD based on their experience and motivations. Your letter will be forwarded to the faculty members you indicate, but you are encouraged to also contact those faculty members directly (e.g., by email) to determine if they are accepting new students. It is therefore useful to also visit the listed  faculty pages  to find faculty research that you might be interested in and contact those faculty members.

PhD Funding:  Ph.D. students are guaranteed 5 years of financial support in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), funded by the department, or Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), funded by grants to individual faculty members. Many students are supported by a mixture of these two assistantships throughout their PhD. All Ph.D. students enrolled full-time and receiving an assistantship also receive reduced-cost in-state tuition regardless of residence, and a major portion of these tuition costs are supported by the assistantships.

Checking the status of your application:   You can check your application and admissions status through the MyMav student portal, where you can also review if you have any missing items needed to complete your application.   CHECK YOUR STATUS IN MYMAV . To confirm receipt of letters of recommendation, first check with your recommenders before contacting  [email protected] .  Please include your UTA ID #, available via MyMav, in any correspondence with the Biology Department.

Lab Rotations

The UTA Biology Department encompasses numerous laboratories that conduct research on a remarkably broad range of topics, and choosing a lab and research topic can be difficult. About half of entering students join a single lab as a direct admission. The other portion of students decide to rotate in multiple labs their first year. If several labs are of interest to you, consider signing up for lab rotations your first semester. Our lab rotation option allows you to experience multiple labs before making a final decision. However, please be sure to reach out to at least two potential rotation faculty to be sure they are able and interested in taking students for rotation. In your letter of intent (see  How To Apply  above), inform the Biology Department which labs are of interest to you (list up to three labs), and note which faculty have agreed to host you as a lab rotation student if you are accepted.

• If you decide to enter the PhD program as a rotation student, you can do ½ semester rotations in two host labs to get a sense of the research being conducted prior to making a final decision on which lab you will conduct your PhD research in.  
• For those students opting for a lab rotation, your letter of intent will be forwarded to the faculty members you indicate, but you should also contact those individuals directly to determine if they are taking new students and have the resources to support your research. During your first semester you will join/rotate through up to three labs in which you are interested and that are currently recruiting students. If no fit is found during your first semester, you have the option of rotating through additional labs in your second semester. Please visit the listed faculty pages to find faculty research that you might be interested in and contact those faculty members to set up a rotation. We feel confident that you will find an exciting and dynamic dissertation lab to join.  

BIOLOGY GRADUATE HANDBOOK [PDF]

The Biology Graduate Handbook is currently under revision. Up-to-date information regarding the PhD in Biology is available in the UTA Graduate Catalog . Questions regarding the Biology graduate program should be emailed to [email protected] .

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Careers at Government Agencies for PhD Graduates

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PhD scientists find careers with many government agencies concerned with the funding of science and with the regulation of technology produced by scientific research.

Science policy is the intersection between scientific research and public policy. Just as regulatory affairs professionals are needed in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, many careers are available for PhD graduates with government agencies to provide expertise in complex scientific, legal, and regulatory environments involving R&D, clinical research protocols, manufacturing, and compliance.

Research and Training Opportunities at NIH

Careers in Science Policy 

• Science Policy: Establishing Guidelines, Setting Priorities - The importance of having science inform decisions in four key U.S. policy areas: economy, defense, environment, and science education. 
• Definition of Science Policy - Wikipedia 
• Science Policy Career Resources - At Science.org: Science Fellowships, Internships, and Career Resources 
• Bridging the Worlds of Science and Public Policy - At Science Careers

Careers in Regulatory Affairs

• Careers in Regulatory Affairs: A Sure Bet! - Posting at BioJobBlog 
• Scientists in Regulatory Affairs - At Science Careers 
• Careers in regulatory affairs: From Practitioner to Professional Regulatory Affairs - Career information at Chemical & Engineering News
• Working at the FDA - At FDA Website 
• Federal Drug Regulators - At Nature Jobs 
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention Careers   - At the CDC Website
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• PhD in Biology

The goal of the Biology Department is to train students at the highest level in one of three broad subfields within modern biology: Cell & Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, and Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology. Upon completion of the PhD, students should be prepared for postgraduate training and to eventually assume teaching and/or research positions in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies. The PhD is a research degree and normally necessitates at least five years of academic study, including summer work.

Applicants to the PhD program must have completed a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field. We favor applicants with both strong academic records and a demonstrated aptitude for research.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate academic mastery in one of three areas of Biology: Ecology, Behavior & Evolution; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.
• Attain research expertise, including grant writing experience, and complete original research that advances a specific field of study within one of three broad subject areas represented in the department: Ecology, Behavior & Evolution; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.
• Attain teaching experience and expertise in one of three broad areas of Biology: Ecology, Behavior & Evolution; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.
• Attain the skills and qualifications needed for employment in an academic, government, or private sector position related to the life sciences.

Course Requirements

Students must complete 64 units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; at least 32 of these units must be accrued from lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course units. See the GRS Transfer of Units policy for more details.

• 2 terms of Progress in Research Seminars (1–2 units each, select from CAS BI 583, BI 584, BI 579, BI 580, NE 500, NE 501)
• 1 term grant-writing course (2 units, usually CAS BI 581 or BI 671)
• 1 term pedagogy course (1 unit, BI 697)
• 1 quantitative course (3–4 units, selected from a list of courses)
• Additional courses vary by specific track and student interests

Cell & Molecular Biology

• CAS BI 735 Advanced Cell Biology
• CAS BI 753 Advanced Molecular Biology
• CAS MB 721 Graduate Biochemistry
• Three electives
• Research units

Neurobiology

• CAS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience
• CAS BI 756 Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience or BI 741 Neural Systems: Functional Circuit Analysis
• Four electives

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology

• Six electives

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination must be completed no later than six terms after matriculation. In most graduate curricula in the department, this consists of a research proposal—often in the form of a grant application—which the student submits to their committee and subsequently defends in an oral presentation. In the Cell & Molecular Biology and Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology curricula, this is preceded by a comprehensive written examination testing the student’s general background from coursework.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Biology Department Chair. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery of their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree . The results of the dissertation must be presented at a department colloquium.

Teaching Requirement

The department requires a minimum of two terms of teaching as part of the Doctor of Philosophy program. During the first term of teaching, students are required to enroll in our first-year seminar course, CAS BI 697 A Bridge to Knowledge. The course provides guidance and training on pedagogy and other aspects of graduate school.

MS for PhD Students (Two Options)

Option one: A PhD student who has advanced to candidacy (as demonstrated by passing the PhD qualifying exam) and has completed 32 units of graduate-level coursework (not including research) may apply to the graduate school for a Master of Science (MS) degree in Biology. This must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies within the Biology Department. The student’s major professor will receive notification of this application process.

Option two: A PhD student who has taken the PhD qualifying examination but has not advanced to candidacy based on a failing grade on the examination may still receive a master’s degree. This student may receive a Coursework MS degree provided they have completed 32 units of coursework (not including research units). Alternatively, this student may receive a Scholarly Paper or Research Thesis MS degree if the written portion of the qualifying examination is adapted to ensure it is of sufficiently high quality for an MS degree and approved by a majority of the qualifying exam committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.

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Ph.d. biology.

Our PhD program accepts students possessing Bachelors or Masters degrees who are planning a career in science. The purpose of our PhD program is to prepare highly qualified scientists who have excellent up-to-date training in the fields of biology or bioinformatics, who are actively involved in scientific research, are capable of making significant contributions to their scientific field, possess all the necessary skills for effective oral and written communication with colleagues, and can successfully compete in the job market for postdoctoral and research scientist level positions in academia and science-related industries.

We currently have approximately 100 PhD students in the Biology PhD program of the School of Biological Sciences. Of recent PhD graduates, 70% are currently employed as postdoctoral researchers in academia, 9% as government scientists , 9% as industry scientists , 4% as instructors , and 9% are enrolled in further professional training . The average number of journal publications is 3.9 per student and the average number of presentations at conferences around the world is 4.3 per student .

Areas of concentration:

• Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior   including population and evolutionary ecology; community ecology; aquatic chemical ecology; ecological genomics; sensory ecology; evolution of development, behavior, and sociality; biological oceanography; environmental microbiology; theoretical ecology.
• Molecular and Cell Biology   including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell biology; molecular physiology; molecular biophysics and structural biology; animal, plant, and microbial molecular genetics; human genomics; molecular evolution.

Quick Facts

• Stipend and tuition waiver offered.
• Fellowships available.
• Duration of program depends on research progress. Ph.D. candidates typically defend their thesis at the end of the 5th or during the 6th year.
• 18 credit hours of coursework.

General Inquiries

• Chung Kim Academic Program Coordinator Email  | 404.385.4240 | EBB 2009

Ph.D. Program Overview:

• Stipend: $35,500 per year
• Year 1 Focus:  Coursework / Lab Rotations / Teach
• Year 2 Focus:  Coursework / Thesis Research / Qualifying Exams
• Year 3 Focus:  Thesis Research
• Year 4 Focus:  Thesis Research
• Year 5 Focus:  Thesis Research, Writing and Defense

The PhD in Biology is a research-based degree involving deep immersion in a topic within biology with mentoring from an advisor and thesis committee with expertise in the field of study. Coursework is typically completed within the first 2 years (18 credit hours). Students who have previously earned an M.S. degree or taken graduate courses elsewhere can negotiate up to 9 transfer credit hours upon entering our program. Selection of a thesis advisor is made in discussion with our faculty and/or via lab rotations during the first year, and the composition of the thesis committee is established by the student by the end of the first year.

PhD students in the School of Biological Sciences are each supported by a stipend and do not pay tuition, only modest   fees   each semester. Stipend support comes from teaching or research assistantships which complement research training towards the PhD. Whether PhD stipends are earned from research or teaching assistantships after the first year is decided in consultation with a student's thesis advisor and the graduate committee. Our base PhD stipend is $35,500. Several fellowships are available which can supplement the PhD stipend.

Further Funding

Please take some time to review our   funding opportunities and fellowships .

Choosing between the Masters and Ph.D. Program

Our graduate program is primarily focused on the PhD which prepares students for careers in scientific research and employment in academia, industry, or government. We encourage potential applicants to the PhD program to directly contact individual   faculty   members whose research may appeal to them to discuss research interests and future opportunities. Students who are not yet sure of their interest in scientific research or are interested in other kinds of professional development should consider the M.S. degree in   Biology   or  Bioinformatics . Admission decisions are made by our graduate committee (composed of Biology faculty) in consultation with all of the faculty in the School of Biological Sciences.

Georgia Tech provides application fee waivers to advance diversity, recognize outstanding undergraduate achievement, and engage prospective students in recruitment events where Georgia Tech is affiliated. Such fee waivers are currently available only to domestic applicants.

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Biology related research centers.

• Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center
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Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D.

Among Public National Universities, U.S. News & World Report

Featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges

Nationally, Best Online Bachelor's Programs, U.S. News & World Report

Our alumni work in:

Conduct research at a university or college.

Use your knowledge and skills to conduct research for government organizations.

Design and develop technologies to research and solve marine-related issues.

Influence marine policy with your advanced knowledge and skills.

Become faculty at a university or college.

Develop a research plan

Present and defend a research plan

Answer questions regarding their research field

Communicate his or her research to a broadly trained public audience

Write research in the form of a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal

“ The department has a wide array of interests, especially centered around the marine environment, that cultivate a rich academic community. With the addition of very friendly faculty and students, it's a hard place to leave. ”

Advance Your Research

The Doctor of Philosophy program offers a broad background and overview of the fields comprising marine biology and prepares you for professional and leadership positions.

This research degree program serves students with interests in conducting research in academia, industry and government; individuals who intend to become faculty in undergraduate teaching institutions; managers in technology-based industries and policy makers in government.

Interested in teaching? The program includes a teaching practicum with classroom instruction in pedagogical techniques and technologies along with lecture experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Diverse Research Areas

Choose from diverse research areas and coursework that provide a broad educational perspective including coastal and estuarine biology, crustacean biology, marine mammalogy, and molecular biology and systematics of marine organisms.

Sample Courses in Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D.

How Do I Apply to the Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D. program?

You are required to submit the following to the Graduate School (please do not send items to the department):

• An application for graduate admission
• Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
• Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
• Current curriculum vitae
• Detailed summary of M.S. thesis research (maximum of three pages)
• Statement of interest for Ph.D. research (maximum of three pages)
• Reprints or copies of any publications (if applicable)

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: ph.d. integrative, comparative, and marine biology.

• Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
• All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.

Coordinator

• Dr. Amanda Williard 910-962-4064 [email protected]  

Location/Delivery Method

• Main Campus

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

• Deadline: October 15, 2023
• Deadline:  April 15, 2024
• Priority Consideration: February 15, 2024
• Space Available Deadline: May 15, 2024

Transcripts

• One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

• None Required

Recommendations

• 3 recommendation letters by individuals in professionally relevant fields.

Additional Requirements

• Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission Upload Supplemental Documents
• Curriculum Vitae
• Ph.D. Research:   Statement of Interest for Ph.D. research, including a summary of relevant experience (maximum of three pages)
• Publications:  Copies of publications (if available)
• Degree Requirements:   A bachelor’s degree in biology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent at an international institution based on a four-year program.
• Research Requirements:   A record of research, applied learning or relevant professional experience.
• UNCW Faculty: Prospective students should make initial contact with the faculty with whom you wish to work  (Meet Our Team - Faculty).
• Note:   Under certain circumstances, a student in the M.S. biology or marine biology program may, with the support of their faculty advisor, apply to the Ph.D. program rather than completing their M.S. degree. Students who choose this path after their first year of core courses and research planning must complete a new application, including letters of recommendation, to enter the Ph.D. program.

See Everything happening in the department

Are You an International Student?

This is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM designated program that allows eligible F1 international students to apply for a 24-month optional practical training extension.

Related Programs

Coastal and ocean policy, m.s..

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Geographic Information Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

UNCW is accredited with the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) to offer a certificate in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT).

Graduate Programs

Graduate programs to consider, biology, m.s..

Specialize in ocean sciences, technology and marine policy.

Marine Biology, M.S.

A program that prepares students as managers of coastal and marine resources, trained to deal with contemporary problems in the environment; and provides a broad–based graduate program allowing for specialization in the diverse fields of inquiry under the marine biology umbrella.

Search Utah State University:

Biology - ms, phd.

About This Degree

The graduate programs in biology at USU are highly selective, taking a small number of exceptional students each year. Students work with professors on specific research projects where they receive first-hand, active experience doing lab and fieldwork.

Each student’s graduate program is tailored to their individual interests; the student’s graduate committee creates a unique plan of study based on the student’s specific research areas. The faculty in the Department of Biology are experts in a wide variety of topics in biology, such as animal behavior, biogeochemistry, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, insect biology and systematics, neurobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, plant pathology, plant systematics, signaling, toxicology, vertebrate zoology, virology, and more.

Specialization:

Climate adaptation science (biology ms & phd):.

The Climate Adaptation Science specialization provides students with experiences in actionable science through internship and research experiences. Program includes interdisciplinary research to identify adaptive responses to changing climate extremes and two-part internships with agency, NGO, and industry partners. In a first internship, students contribute to projects and learn the workplace cultures and science needs of the host. The internship experiences inform interdisciplinary climate adaptation research by student teams. In a second internship, students share science results and tools with the host organization and help put that science into action.

At a Glance

College: College of Science

Department: Biology Department

USU Locations:

• Logan campus

Program Requirements

• Update this page

Career And Outcomes

Career opportunities.

Because biology is such a broad field of research, graduates have diverse career options in all aspects of biology. Some of the options include:

• Biomedical industry
• Researchers for government agencies
• Research biologists
• Conservationists
• Non-government organizations
• Most PhD graduates pursue positions in academia with universities. Many participate in prestigious post-doctoral programs around the world.

Job Outlook

Request for information and advising, anthony sterenchak.

Graduate Programs Coordinator Email: [email protected] Office: BNR 117E Phone: (435) 797-1770

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission Requirements

To be accepted to the program, applicants must have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in biology from USU. However, students with degrees in other areas may be accepted, but will have to take prerequisite courses determined by their graduate committee.

To be accepted to the program, it is recommended that applicants first contact a specific faculty member with whom they are interested in working. If the faculty member is accepting graduate students and agrees to work with the student, the student can then apply.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee. This fee will be reimbursed to you by the Department of Biology if you are accepted and enroll.
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements .

The Department of Biology considers applications on a year-round basis. Applications received for fall semester by February 15 will be considered for all financial awards available. Applications received after that date will be considered for the limited amount of financial awards available at the time.

Qualifying Exams:

All PhD students must pass a comprehensive exam, usually taken in their second year. The student’s graduate committee sets the material of the exam, which consists of a written and an oral component.

All master’s students must pass a comprehensive exam with either a written or an oral component, set by their graduate committee. This exam usually takes place when the student has completed a year and a half in the program.

Plan Options

Students can receive the MS by pursuing the following option:

• In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.

Financial Aid

The College of Science offers the Willard L. Eccles Foundation Science Fellowship. It is an award of $22,000 per year for three years. The graduate programs committee nominates two to three candidates, and one candidate is chosen from the college each year. Selection criteria include: GPA, GRE score, letters of recommendation, and evidence of strong academic and research potential in the discipline.

The USU Diversity Fellowship in Science and Engineering is an award of $22,000 per year for two years plus $500 for travel/equipment. This fellowship is jointly administered by the School of Graduate Studies, the College of Engineering, and the College of Science. Biology candidates are nominated by the graduate programs committee. The award includes an annual stipend, full tuition remission, and a travel/equipment grant. Criteria include: academic research potential, GPA, GRE score, and letters of recommendation.

All PhD students are supported at a minimum with tuition awards, subsidized health insurance, and a monthly stipend for work performed as teaching assistants in instructional activities or research assistants in research groups.

Research Assistantships are available from the grants of major professors. They are awarded by the individual faculty members. Contact faculty members in your area of interest for additional information.

Annual contract teaching assistantships are awarded competitively. All students admitted will be considered for a teaching assistantship. The contracts are for one year and require reapplication each year. Current academic year (nine months) wages are $10,763 for students with a bachelor's degree and $11,275 for students with a master's. In addition to the workshop taught by the School of Graduate Studies, teaching assistants are required to attend the teaching assistant workshop offered by the Biology Department before beginning their initial assignment.

A limited number of summer term teaching assistantships are available. Summer term teaching assistantships are assigned by the coordinator of graduate studies and are approved by the department head. They are awarded based on departmental need, student's preference, and special circumstances. The stipends are $3,588 for students with a bachelor's degree and $3,758 for students with a master's.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website .

Take The Next Step

How to apply.

View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.

Request Information

Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.

Cost and Funding

Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.

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