Biological Sciences Graduate Admissions
Note: The GRE is no longer needed for admission.
Admission Requirements
All graduate applications must be submitted electronically through the Graduate College.
- Undergraduate Degree, with undergraduate courses in calculus, organic chemistry, physics, and courses in biology equivalent to those required by 51社区's undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences.
- GPA of 3.2 or better in most recent degree program.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Statement of purpose. Provide a statement of why the student wants to pursue a graduate degree, an indication of the section the student wishes to join (i.e. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, or Cell, Developmental and Microbiology), a list of three active graduate faculty members the student is interested in as advisers (/cas/biology/faculty), and at least one program faculty member who is interested in serving as the student's interim adviser. Please note that listing a faculty member as a potential advisor does not guarantee admission to that specific faculty member鈥檚 lab. Admitted students may be placed in a research lab other than those indicated as preferred by the applicant. Consequently, the statement of purpose should also contain information on the general research topics the applicant is interested in. See Guide to Choosing a Faculty Adviser
- Transcripts
- Resume
- English Language Proficiency Requirements: The Biological Sciences Department has English proficiency requirements that are higher than the minimum university requirements. A TOEFL-iBT of 90 is required, along with written documentation of English speaking ability from a faculty who has spoken with the applicant by telephone or in person. Please review information about 51社区鈥檚 English Language Proficiency requirements.
Application Deadline
Students are admitted on annual cycle. Applications must be received by January 8 for students to enter the program in fall of that year.
Applications for admission must be received by the Biological Sciences Department by Jan. 8 to be considered for both admission and funding for fall semester of the following academic year. All admissions are based on a hierarchal ranking of students and, if the student requires financial aid, on the availability of funding. Application materials should be sent well in advance of the due date. Decisions regarding admissions will be made by the Graduate Committee by March 1.