why get a phd in biology

Ph.D. Program

The training for a Ph.D. in Biology is focused on helping students achieve their goals of being a successful research scientist and teacher, at the highest level. Students work closely with an established advisor and meet regularly with a committee of faculty members to facilitate their progress. The Biology Ph.D. program is part of the larger Biosciences community at Stanford, which includes doctorate programs in the basic science departments at Stanford Medical School.

There are two tracks within the Biology Ph.D. program:

Cell, Molecular and Organismal Biology
Ecology and Evolution

(Previously a part of the Department of Biology Hopkins Marine Station is now a part of the Oceans Department within Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability )

All tracks are focused on excellence in research and teaching in their respective areas; where there are differences between the tracks, they are indicated in the links below.

Requirements & Forms

Dissertation defense, cellular and molecular biology training program, stanford biology ph.d. preview program, career development resources.

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Everything you need to know about studying a PhD in Biology

Part of natural sciences & mathematics.

Biology studies the origin, structure, function, and evolution of all living organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. Biology is also known as “the science of life” because it seeks to understand all the physiochemical relations and interactions between different life forms. There’s a significant overlap between Biology and other disciplines, like Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, and Geography.

Biology includes a wide range of branches and subdisciplines, such as Biochemistry, Genetics, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Microbiology, Ethology, and many others.

Biology allows us to discover amazing facts about our bodies, about ecosystems, and the natural balance between flora and fauna. For instance, did you know that your nose can smell 50,000 different scents? Or that the spiderweb is five times stronger than steel? This type of fascinating discoveries attracts students to Biology degrees.

A Biology curriculum varies from one country and university to another. But it generally includes subjects like Cell Structure and Function, Biodiversity, Genetics, Animal Behaviour, Microbes, Viruses and Parasites, Biostatistics, Field Ecology, etc.

Biology graduates enter a competitive employment market, where practical experience plays a major role. They are able to find jobs as higher education lecturers, pharmacologists, research scientists or science writers.

View all PhDs in Biology . Keep in mind you can also study an online PhDs in Biology .

Interesting programmes for you

Best universities for biology on phdportal.

Ranking (2018)
Ranking (2017)

Universities	Location	Times Higher Education Ranking (2018)	Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking (2017)	TopUniversities Ranking (2018)	U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2018)
	Cambridge, United States	1	1	1	1
	Cambridge, United Kingdom	2	3	2	6
	Oxford, United Kingdom	3	17	3	7
	Stanford, United States	4	6	5	4
	Cambridge, United States	5	2	4	2
	Baltimore, United States	6	9	6	9
	Princeton, United States	7	44	101	51
	Pasadena, United States	8	28	115	31
	New Haven, United States	9	10	10	16
	London, United Kingdom	10	39	12	21
	Chicago, United States	11	47	37	24
	San Diego, United States	12	32	16	8
	Zürich, Switzerland	13	76	51	18
	Ithaca, United States	14	31	25	10
	New York City, United States	15	11	26	15
	Durham, United States	16	45	19	23
	Philadelphia, United States	17	29	23	19
	Berkeley, United States	18	16	14	3
	Los Angeles, United States	19	15	8	11
	Wageningen, Netherlands	20	101	82	54
	Vancouver, Canada	21	51	28	33
	Pickering, Canada	22	20	15	13
	Beijing, China	23	101	51	58
	Edinburgh, United Kingdom	23	49	21	37
	Stockholm, Sweden	25	14	7	26
	Singapore, Singapore	26	50	20	32
	Ann Arbor, United States	27	34	31	11
	Davis, United States	28	51	57	34
	Saint Louis, United States	29	40	33	27
	London, United Kingdom	30	21	18	78
	Montréal, Canada	31	51	28	41
	Lausanne, Switzerland	33	-	94	63
	Heidelberg, Germany	34	51	41	42
	Saint Lucia, Australia	34	51	32	46
	Tokyo, Japan	36	48	22	25
	Kyoto, Japan	37	23	40	40
	Uppsala, Sweden	38	51	49	52
	München, Germany	39	41	44	30
	Madison, United States	40	51	58	28
	Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR)	41	151	34	134
	Evanston, United States	42	76	74	50
	München, Germany	43	76	81	65
	Ledeberg, Belgium	44	76	85	71
	Canberra, Australia	45	201	85	176
	Lund, Sweden	46	51	88	101
	Sydney, Australia	47	51	17	92
	Atlanta, United States	48	76	73	76
	Glasgow, United Kingdom	49	76	48	103
	Berlin, Germany	50	76	200	65
	Manchester, United Kingdom	51	51	50	47
	Minneapolis, United States	51	-	75	-
	Paris, France	53	35	94	35
	Chapel Hill, United States	54	13	38	38
	Dundee, United Kingdom	55	101	136	81
	Austin, United States	55	201	145	106
	Santa Barbara, United States	57	301	293	170
	Osaka-shi, Japan	58	151	68	70
	Utrecht, Netherlands	59	43	60	59
	Göttingen, Germany	60	151	128	94
	Genève, Switzerland	61	76	60	74
	Brussels, Belgium	62	51	66	55
	Helsinki, Finland	63	51	68	64
	Tübingen, Germany	64	76	108	112
	Stockholm, Sweden	65	201	222	110
	Urbana, United States	66	24	171	35
	Lausanne, Switzerland	67	76	90	88
	Zürich, Switzerland	68	19	43	22
	Perth, Australia	69	30	55	140
	Freiburg, Germany	70	101	102	119
	Boulder, United States	71	101	210	44
	St Andrews, United Kingdom	72	201	345	363
	State College, United States	73	76	125	73
	East Lansing, United States	74	151	149	92
	Paris, France	75	-	-	-
	Bristol, United Kingdom	76	76	62	122
	Dublin, Ireland	77	101	157	171
	Groningen, Netherlands	78	51	97	90
	Aberdeen, United Kingdom	79	151	157	218
	Daejeon, South Korea	80	-	220	124
	Bonn, Germany	81	76	139	145
	Exeter, United Kingdom	82	101	243	204
	Nashville, United States	82	22	84	57
	Hefei, China	84	401	295	224
	Aarhus, Denmark	85	76	58	82
	Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR)	86	-	287	311
	College Park, United States	87	151	162	108
	Berlin Steglitz, Germany	88	76	213	53
	Norwich, United Kingdom	89	201	270	238
	Leeds, United Kingdom	89	101	130	163
	Basel, Switzerland	91	76	64	69
	Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom	92	101	119	160
	Sydney, Australia	93	101	44	108
	York, United Kingdom	93	201	183	230
	Vienna, Austria	95	151	240	90
	Riverside, United States	96	201	348	240
	Tempe, United States	97	151	238	138
	Clayton, Australia	97	101	28	76
	Gainesville, United States	99	101	97	103
	Providence, United States	100	201	90	180
	Palaiseau, France	101	-	-	-
	Shanghai, China	101	101	88	96
	Townsville, Australia	101	201	313	-
	Moscow, Russia	101	-	101	178
	Maastricht, Netherlands	101	201	105	237
	Hamilton, Canada	101	151	55	155
	Upper Arlington, United States	101	76	97	85
	Corvallis, United States	101	201	327	227
University of Paris Sud	Orsay, France	101	76	170	132
	Enjitsu, South Korea	101	-	356	296
	Houston, United States	101	401	401	258
	Anyang, South Korea	101	101	35	61
	Uppsala, Sweden	101	201	287	242
	Copenhagen, Denmark	101	101	280	68
	Dresden, Germany	101	101	180	106
	Adelaide, Australia	101	151	79	197
	Edmonton, Canada	101	151	90	101
	Birmingham, United Kingdom	101	101	76	173
	Irvine, United States	101	101	-	131
	Santa Cruz, United States	101	151	396	97
	Köln, Germany	101	101	174	211
	Montréal, Canada	101	76	76	165
	Nottingham, United Kingdom	101	37	70	168
	Sheffield, United Kingdom	101	151	113	145
	Würzburg, Germany	101	101	192	118
	Aberystwyth, United Kingdom	126	401	-	-
	Cardiff, United Kingdom	126	32	108	263
	Hanover, United States	126	201	184	260
	Jerusalem, Israel	126	101	142	119
	Bloomington, United States	126	201	281	128
	Ames, United States	126	201	243	148
	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia	126	101	338	88
	Nagoya, Japan	126	201	143	187
	London, United Kingdom	126	76	96	189
	Nijmegen, Netherlands	126	51	123	-
	London, United Kingdom	126	401	401	-
	Stony Brook, United States	126	151	379	174
	Umeå, Sweden	126	101	213	201
	Barcelona, Spain	126	51	78	87
	Cape Town, South Africa	126	201	105	252
	Reykjavik, Iceland	126	51	-	-
	Konstanz, Germany	126	301	401	319
	Boston, United States	126	-	401	-
	Oslo, Norway	126	76	93	157
	Reading, United Kingdom	126	-	327	-
	São Paulo, Brazil	126	76	129	80
	Tartu, Estonia	126	101	396	-
	Hobart, Australia	126	201	305	-
	Coventry, United Kingdom	126	201	222	168
	Amsterdam, Netherlands	126	51	175	119
	Hangzhou, China	126	151	180	149
	Durham, United Kingdom	151	-	368	-
	Lyon, France	151	201	351	333
	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	151	151	-	123
	Lancaster, United Kingdom	151	-	451	-
	Nanjing, China	151	301	240	279
	Belfast, United Kingdom	151	151	202	373
	London, United Kingdom	151	-	451	-
	New Brunswick, United States	151	-	266	94
	Pisa, Italy	151	-	-	-
	Sendai-shi, Japan	151	201	126	136
	Ulm, Germany	151	101	257	327
	Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium	151	201	105	183
	Cork, Ireland	151	301	192	242
The University of Arizona	Tucson, United States	151	151	188	158
	Auckland, New Zealand	151	151	62	183
	Bergen, Norway	151	151	211	240
	Bern, Switzerland	151	201	121	167
	Bremen, Germany	151	401	-	-
	Newark, United States	151	301	351	309
	Liverpool, United Kingdom	151	101	120	223
	Eugene, United States	151	301	396	-
	Strasbourg, France	151	38	217	78
	Salt Lake City, United States	151	36	203	111
	Charlottesville, United States	151	101	192	113
	Barcelona, Spain	176	151	157	217
	Bangor, United Kingdom	176	-	451	-
	Delft, Netherlands	176	301	336	230
	Washington, D. C., United States	176	201	216	355
	Sapporo, Japan	176	201	145	180
	Melbourne, Australia	176	301	318	341
	Sydney, Australia	176	301	345	319
	Montpellier, France	176	101	154	113
	Raleigh, United States	176	201	233	229
	Plymouth, United Kingdom	176	201	-	-
	Brisbane, Australia	176	301	266	388
	Seoul, South Korea	176	301	134	183
	College Station, United States	176	201	186	134
	Medford, United States	176	151	136	126
	Brussels, Belgium	176	201	192	249
	Dublin, Ireland	176	201	145	296
	Antwerpen, Belgium	176	151	184	337
	Bayreuth, Germany	176	-	401	-
	Bordeaux, France	176	301	339	-
	Göteborg, Sweden	176	42	108	99
University of Gothenburg, Faculty of Science	Göteborg, Sweden	176	-	-	-
	Hamburg, Germany	176	101	151	151
	Honolulu, United States	176	401	395	-
	Dunedin, New Zealand	176	201	66	215
	Potsdam, Germany	176	401	451	-
	Rochester, United States	176	201	196	162
	Marseille, France	201	101	228	71
	Alcobendas, Spain	201	301	217	252
	Waltham, United States	201	401	401	-
	Cleveland, United States	201	151	172	139
	Darwin, Australia	201	-	-	-
	Fort Collins, United States	201	201	313	230
	Grenoble, France	201	151	331	143
	Bangalore, India	201	-	151	296
	Mainz, Germany	201	201	257	191
	Minato, Japan	201	301	148	218
	Fukuoka, Japan	201	201	133	182
	Québec, Canada	201	151	168	215
	Palmerston North, New Zealand	201	301	295	379
	Taipei, Taiwan	201	201	44	197
	Hsinchu, Taiwan	201	-	360	-
	Flagstaff, United States	201	401	-	-
Paris Diderot University	Paris, France	201	101	186	193
	Bochum, Germany	201	301	341	363
	Saint Petersburg, Russia	201	-	351	-
	La Mesa, United States	201	401	-	-
	Burnaby, Canada	201	201	359	266
	Stellenbosch, South Africa	201	301	307	386
	Haifa, Israel	201	201	310	262
	Tel Aviv Yaffo, Israel	201	101	222	99
	Meguro, Japan	201	401	321	249
	Bath, United Kingdom	201	401	389	345
University of Calgary	Calgary, Canada	201	151	115	177
	Christchurch, New Zealand	201	-	401	-
	Kuopio, Finland	201	151	230	317
	Fribourg, Switzerland	201	401	-	-
	Ostfildern, Germany	201	401	401	-
	Innsbruck, Austria	201	401	-	-
	Iowa City, United States	201	101	172	208
	Canterbury, United Kingdom	201	401	-	-
	Kiel, Germany	201	101	203	288
	Leicester, United Kingdom	201	101	176	275
	Coral Gables, United States	201	151	162	273
	Missoula, United States	201	401	-	-
	Neuchâtel, Switzerland	201	-	-	-
	Padua, Italy	201	151	156	125
	Tarragona, Spain	201	401	-	-
	Neder Holluf, Denmark	201	201	266	192
	Stirling, United Kingdom	201	-	-	-
	Brighton, United Kingdom	201	301	401	346
	Sydney, Australia	201	-	379	-
	Trento, Italy	201	401	-	-
	Turku, Finland	201	151	260	260
	Victoria, Canada	201	-	-	-
	Winston-Salem, United States	201	151	252	283
	Pullman, United States	201	201	284	268
	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	251	-	-	-
	Bielefeld, Germany	251	401	351	325
	Newton, United States	251	301	351	-
	Villeurbanne, France	251	101	191	143
	Halifax, Canada	251	301	207	288
	Burwood, Australia	251	401	235	-
	Dublin, Ireland	251	-	401	-
	Toulouse, France	251	-	-	-
	Nathan, Australia	251	201	284	335
	Seoul, South Korea	251	401	310	-
	Hasselt, Belgium	251	-	-	-
	Edinburgh, United Kingdom	251	-	-	-
	Powai, India	251	-	301	-
	Seoul, South Korea	251	401	143	265
	Loughborough, United Kingdom	251	-	-	-
	Ancona, Italy	251	401	-	-
	St. John's, Canada	251	401	-	-
	Murdoch, Australia	251	401	451	-
	Galway, Ireland	251	301	248	-
	Roma, Italy	251	151	161	149
	Bilinga, Australia	251	-	-	-
	Campinas, Brazil	251	401	230	245
	Shinagawa-ku, Japan	251	301	166	359
	Tromsø, Norway	251	201	401	-
	Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France	251	-	-	-
	Québec, Canada	251	-	374	-
	Fairbanks, United States	251	-	-	-
	Cincinnati, United States	251	201	235	183
	Coimbra, Portugal	251	301	375	311
	Storrs, United States	251	201	274	275
	Gazi, Greece	251	-	401	-
	Chengdu, China	251	-	-	-
	Athens, United States	251	151	260	132
	Graz, Austria	251	301	451	335
	Hull, United Kingdom	251	401	451	-
	Chicago, United States	251	201	-	152
	Kaiserslautern, Germany	251	-	-	-
	Liège, Belgium	251	201	248	279
	Macao, Macao (SAR)	251	-	-	-
	Marburg, Germany	251	301	270	227
	Sesto San Giovanni, Italy	251	101	80	154
	Sesto San Giovanni, Italy	251	301	341	-
	Lincoln, United States	251	301	401	245
	Pavia, Italy	251	301	289	-
	Pisa, Italy	251	301	279	370
	Split, Croatia	251	201	-	-
	Knoxville, United States	251	301	307	267
	Wollongong, Australia	251	-	401	-
	Brussels, Belgium	251	201	277	85
	Paramatta, Australia	251	-	396	-
Center for Distance Education, Aligarh Muslim University	Aligarh, India	301	-	-	-
	Auckland, New Zealand	301	-	-	-
	Beersheba, Israel	301	401	383	303
	Clermont-Ferrand, France	301	-	-	-
	Wuhan, China	301	-	-	-
	Prague, Czech Republic	301	201	226	220
	Beijing, China	301	201	360	258
	Madrid, Spain	301	301	213	327
	Omaha, United States	301	-	-	-
	Shanghai, China	301	-	401	-
	Shangyu, China	301	-	451	388
	Joondalup, Australia	301	-	-	-
	Budapest, Hungary	301	-	401	-
	Fuzhou, China	301	-	-	-
	Fairfax, United States	301	-	-	-
	Gwangju, South Korea	301	-	-	-
	New Delhi, India	301	-	301	394
	Gießen, Germany	301	301	319	314
	Manhattan, United States	301	301	401	-
	Keele, United Kingdom	301	-	-	-
	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	301	201	243	211
	Christchurch, New Zealand	301	-	-	-
	Liverpool, United Kingdom	301	401	-	-
	Baton Rouge, United States	301	201	364	327
	Sam Phran, Thailand	301	201	115	323
	Brno, Czech Republic	301	301	451	286
	Milwaukee, United States	301	301	336	294
	Bozeman, United States	301	401	-	-
Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education	Monterrey, Mexico	301	-	-	-
	Athens, Greece	301	201	248	383
	Coyoacán, Mexico	301	201	176	204
National Chiao Tung University	Hsinchu, Taiwan	301	-	451	-
	Ås, Norway	301	301	-	-
	Valencia, Spain	301	-	-	-
	Villa Presidente Frei, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile, Chile	301	401	227	368
	Kingston, Canada	301	401	203	-
	Budapest, Hungary	301	301	262	383
	Taipei, Taiwan	301	301	-	391
	Guangzhou, China	301	-	451	379
	Guangzhou, China	301	101	196	188
	Darmstadt, Germany	301	-	451	-
	Nerima, Japan	301	-	401	-
	Besançon, France	301	-	-	-
	Sherbrooke, Canada	301	401	401	-
	Buffalo, United States	301	401	220	272
	Aveiro, Portugal	301	401	-	360
	Bologna, Italy	301	201	-	204
	Canberra, Australia	301	-	-	-
	Catania, Italy	301	-	451	-
	Lo Prado, Chile	301	301	233	346
	Colchester, United Kingdom	301	-	-	-
	Ferrara, Italy	301	301	-	-
	Florence, Italy	301	201	207	115
	Genoa, Italy	301	301	353	-
	Greifswald, Germany	301	201	-	369
	Houston, United States	301	401	451	-
	Jyväskylä, Finland	301	401	-	-
	Lille, France	301	-	-	-
	Limerick, Ireland	301	-	-	-
	Lisbon, Portugal	301	201	257	214
	Maxéville, France	301	401	-	363
	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	301	301	164	-
	Winnipeg, Canada	301	201	248	296
	Catonsville, United States	301	-	281	-
	Columbia, United States	301	201	300	235
	Modena, Italy	301	301	401	-
	Omaha, United States	301	-	-	-
	Newcastle, Australia	301	301	168	-
	Greensboro, United States	301	-	-	-
	Norman, United States	301	401	364	-
	Ottawa, Canada	301	151	157	204
	Oviedo, Spain	301	301	-	-
	Parma, Italy	301	401	401	-
	Porto, Portugal	301	201	278	268
	Pretoria, South Africa	301	301	383	-
	Roma, Italy	301	301	293	355
	Lecce, Italy	301	-	-	-
	Saskatoon, Canada	301	301	360	355
	Siena, Italy	301	301	451	363
	Columbia, United States	301	-	401	-
	Stuttgart, Germany	301	-	351	-
	Guildford, United Kingdom	301	-	401	-
	Helotes, United States	301	-	401	-
	Toledo, United States	301	-	-	-
	Trieste, Italy	301	301	451	-
	Naka, Japan	301	301	240	291
	Turin, Italy	301	201	189	270
	Valencia, Spain	301	201	289	340
	Warsaw, Poland	301	-	351	294
	Verona, Italy	301	201	348	-
	Melbourne, Australia	301	-	-	-
	Blacksburg, United States	301	301	353	230
	Detroit, United States	301	201	401	199
University of Western Ontario	London, Canada	301	201	153	-
	Williamsburg, United States	301	-	-	-
	Wuhan, China	301	301	330	201
	Xiamen, China	301	301	401	292
	Zushi, Japan	301	401	451	-
	Seoul, South Korea	301	201	85	193
	Toronto, Canada	301	-	451	-
	Poznan, Poland	401	-	-	-
	Suwon, South Korea	401	-	451	-
	Beirut, Lebanon	401	-	401	-
Annamalai University	Annamalainagar, India	401	-	-	-
	Thessaloníki, Greece	401	301	325	352
	Zhongxing New Village, Taiwan	401	-	-	-
	Auburn, United States	401	-	-	-
	Puerto Montt, Chile	401	-	-	-
	Cluj-Napoca, Romania	401	-	-	-
	Ramat Gan, Israel	401	-	-	-
	Uxbridge, United Kingdom	401	-	-	-
	Banqiao, Taiwan	401	401	235	-
	Chiba, Japan	401	-	341	-
	Dalian, China	401	-	451	-
	Matsuyama, Japan	401	-	-	-
	Belo Horizonte, Brazil	401	-	315	323
	Miami, United States	401	-	-	-
	Atlanta, United States	401	-	-	-
	Hiroshima, Japan	401	401	307	386
	Wuhan, China	401	201	-	308
	Wuhan, China	401	201	327	208
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati	Gubbi, India	401	-	-	-
	Roorkee, India	401	-	-	-
	Khomeyni Shahr, Iran	401	-	-	-
	Istanbul, Turkey	401	401	345	-
	Kraków, Poland	401	401	388	282
	Guangzhou, China	401	-	-	-
Juntendo University	Tokyo, Japan	401	-	-	-
	Takamatsu, Japan	401	-	-	-
	Nonoichi, Japan	401	-	348	397
	Kaohsiung City, Taiwan	401	-	401	-
	Kazan, Russia	401	-	-	-
	Kobe, Japan	401	401	300	275
	Kuri, South Korea	401	-	401	373
	Kumamoto, Japan	401	-	351	-
	Ash Shamiyah, Kuwait	401	-	-	-
	Hannover, Germany	401	-	-	-
	Kampala, Uganda	401	-	451	-
	Manchester, United Kingdom	401	-	-	-
	Obita, Japan	401	-	401	-
	Xiaolingwei, China	401	301	451	-
	Taoyuan City, Taiwan	401	-	-	-
	Keelung, Taiwan	401	-	-	-
	Taipei, Taiwan	401	401	149	-
	Las Cruces, United States	401	-	-	-
	Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom	401	-	-	-
	Xi'an, China	401	401	-	-
	Okayama, Japan	401	-	360	350
	Stillwater, United States	401	-	-	-
	Olomouc, Czech Republic	401	301	-	396
	Chandigarh, India	401	-	-	-
	Porto Alegre, Brazil	401	-	-	-
Quaid-i-azam University	Islamabad, Pakistan	401	-	-	-
	Saint Louis, United States	401	401	451	-
	Yono, Japan	401	-	-	-
	Bauru, Brazil	401	401	366	-
	Pune, India	401	-	-	-
	Nanjing, China	401	-	451	375
	As Sib, Oman	401	-	-	-
	Lubbock, United States	401	-	-	-
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology	Tokyo, Japan	401	-	351	-
	Shanghai, China	401	301	401	290
	Coleraine, United Kingdom	401	-	451	-
	Al Ain, United Arab Emirates	401	-	-	-
	Alcalá de Henares, Spain	401	-	451	-
	Faro, Portugal	401	-	-	-
	San Vicente, Spain	401	-	-	-
	Almería, Spain	401	-	-	-
	Fayetteville, United States	401	-	-	-
	Bari, Italy	401	301	392	-
	Brasília, Brazil	401	-	451	-
	Bucharest, Romania	401	-	-	-
	Cagliari, Italy	401	-	-	-
	Rende, Italy	401	-	-	-
University of Calcutta	Kolkata, India	401	-	-	-
	Granada, Spain	401	401	341	296
	Haifa, Israel	401	-	-	-
	Durban, South Africa	401	-	389	-
	Ljubljana, Slovenia	401	401	451	273
	Palermo, Italy	401	-	-	-
	Ríon, Greece	401	-	451	-
	Portsmouth, United Kingdom	401	-	-	-
	Salamanca, Spain	401	401	401	-
	Salford, United Kingdom	401	-	-	-
	Santiago de Compostela, Spain	401	301	451	341
	Sevilla, Spain	401	401	401	-
	Vermillion, United States	401	-	-	-
	Hattiesburg, United States	401	-	-	-
	Sippy Downs, Australia	401	-	-	-
	Vigo, Spain	401	-	-	-
	Windsor, Canada	401	-	-	-
	Delicias, Spain	401	401	451	-
	Shinjuku, Japan	401	-	401	363
	Xi'an, China	401	401	400	-
	San Francisco, United States	-	4	9	5
	Seattle, United States	-	5	23	14
	London, United Kingdom	-	7	11	20
	New York City, United States	-	8	83	29
	Dallas, United States	-	12	97	48
	Worcester, United States	-	18	151	160
	Trondheim, Norway	-	25	303	346
	Copenhagen, Denmark	-	26	27	17
	Houston, United States	-	27	321	-
	Melbourne, Australia	-	45	13	43
	Rotterdam, Netherlands	-	50	51	172
	Berlin, Germany	-	101	-	84
	Hannover, Germany	-	101	127	242
	Manhattan, United States	-	101	154	159
	London, United Kingdom	-	101	38	-
	Barcelona, Spain	-	101	400	163
Tokyo Metropolitan University	Tokyo, Japan	-	101	351	-
	Baltimore, United States	-	101	-	98
	Münster, Germany	-	101	200	252
	Oulu, Finland	-	101	324	360
	Southampton, United Kingdom	-	101	104	196
	Rehovot, Israel	-	101	196	61
	New York City, United States	-	101	-	147
	Indianapolis, United States	-	151	-	156
	Shinagawa-ku, Japan	-	151	-	-
	Graz, Austria	-	151	270	283
	Portland, United States	-	151	-	136
	Earlsfield, United Kingdom	-	151	229	-
	Brooklyn, United States	-	151	-	-
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne	Lausanne, Switzerland	-	151	-	-
	Beijing, China	-	151	130	49
	Birmingham, United States	-	151	166	116
	Düsseldorf, Germany	-	151	196	193
	Essen, Germany	-	151	263	349
	Nuremberg, Germany	-	151	179	178
	Lawrence, United States	-	151	243	302
	Leipzig, Germany	-	151	219	211
	Lübeck, Germany	-	151	-	-
University of Tampere	Tampere, Finland	-	151	401	-
	Taichung, Taiwan	-	201	252	-
	Washington, D. C., United States	-	201	211	220
	Atlanta, United States	-	201	274	126
	Innsbruck, Austria	-	201	-	-
	Vienna, Austria	-	201	132	175
	Paris, France	-	201	-	-
	Nanjing, China	-	201	-	-
	Singapore, Singapore	-	201	123	128
	Toulouse, France	-	201	353	-
	West Lafayette, United States	-	201	164	130
	Aachen, Germany	-	201	139	230
	Jinan, China	-	201	392	199
	Chengdu, China	-	201	331	238
	Shatin, Hong Kong (SAR)	-	201	65	305
	Albuquerque, United States	-	201	263	275
	Leon Valley, United States	-	201	-	-
	Guelph, Canada	-	201	252	287
	Halle, Germany	-	201	389	313
	Jena, Germany	-	201	305	189
	Lexington, United States	-	201	281	317
	Oxford, United States	-	201	-	-
	Naples, Italy	-	201	232	225
	Regensburg, Germany	-	201	300	314
	Tampa, United States	-	201	238	293
	Courcouronnes, France	-	201	-	-
	Richmond, United States	-	201	351	208
	Milano, Italy	-	201	367	-
	Aalborg, Denmark	-	301	401	-
	Helsinki, Finland	-	301	-	-
	Paris, France	-	301	-	255
	London, United Kingdom	-	301	451	-
	Beijing, China	-	301	-	-
	Pittsburgh, United States	-	301	319	263
	Milano, Italy	-	301	180	-
	Changsha, China	-	301	383	322
	Paris, France	-	301	201	220
	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	-	301	-	248
	Adelaide, Australia	-	301	315	-
	Tallahassee, United States	-	301	378	249
	Karlsruhe, Germany	-	301	401	279
	Thuwal, Saudi Arabia	-	301	351	-
	Stockholm, Sweden	-	301	451	165
	Linköping, Sweden	-	301	284	-
	Charleston, United States	-	301	-	283
	Lisbon, Portugal	-	301	401	330
	Boston, United States	-	301	401	310
	Dublin, Ireland	-	301	401	-
	Chicago, United States	-	301	-	-
	Saarbrücken, Germany	-	301	392	330
	Galveston, United States	-	301	-	339
	Philadelphia, United States	-	301	-	236
	New Orleans, United States	-	301	321	-
	Belgrade, Serbia	-	301	-	325
	Buenos Aires, Argentina	-	301	207	245
	Saint-Apollinaire, France	-	301	-	-
	Denver, United States	-	301	136	-
	Amherst, United States	-	301	315	203
	Pamplona, Spain	-	301	310	-
Université Nice Sophia Antipolis	Nice, France	-	301	451	341
	Rennes, France	-	301	-	397
	Johannesburg, South Africa	-	301	247	-
	Burlington, United States	-	301	368	-
	Vienna, Austria	-	301	-	-
	Zagreb, Croatia	-	301	387	-
	Augusta, United States	-	401	-	352
	Brescia, Italy	-	401	451	-
	Provo, United States	-	401	451	-
	Göteborg, Sweden	-	401	351	152
	Gwangju, South Korea	-	401	383	390
	Seoul, South Korea	-	401	356	360
	Porto Alegre, Brazil	-	401	333	355
	Nanjing, China	-	401	-	392
	Ankara, Turkey	-	401	375	-
	Harbin, China	-	401	-	-
	Saint-Étienne, France	-	401	-	-
	Changchun, China	-	401	401	333
	Seoul, South Korea	-	401	-	-
	Evanston, United States	-	401	401	-
	Tianjin, China	-	401	401	371
	Tainan, Taiwan	-	401	222	257
	Maynooth, Ireland	-	401	-	-
	Örebro, Sweden	-	401	-	-
	Paris, France	-	401	-	-
	Dasha, China	-	401	-	-
	Philadelphia, United States	-	401	333	301
Texas A&M University	Temple, United States	-	401	-	-
	Yangcun, China	-	401	-	-
	Louisville, United States	-	401	-	321
	Magdeburg, Germany	-	401	-	-
	Nantes, France	-	401	451	-
	Vienna, Austria	-	401	451	270
	South Bend, United States	-	401	301	371
	Oklahoma City, United States	-	401	-	-
	Perpignan, France	-	401	-	-
	Perugia, Italy	-	401	401	-
	Adelaide, Australia	-	401	292	-
	Budweis, Czech Republic	-	401	-	-
	Ulsan, South Korea	-	401	303	-
	Laramie, United States	-	401	-	-
	Vilnius, Lithuania	-	401	-	-
	Morgantown, United States	-	401	-	-
	Houston, United States	-	51	54	59
	Boston, United States	-	51	41	74
	Leiden, Netherlands	-	51	71	83
	Amsterdam, Netherlands	-	51	35	141
	Minneapolis, United States	-	51	-	65
	Pittsburgh, United States	-	51	71	55
	Los Angeles, United States	-	51	115	45
	New York City, United States	-	76	44	39
	Shanghai, China	-	76	108	103
	Paris, France	-	76	121	142
	Houston, United States	-	-	102	-
	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	-	-	113	-
University of California, Irvine Extension	Irvine, United States	-	-	134	-
	Bologna, Italy	-	-	108	-
	Bangkok, Thailand	-	-	203	-
	Seoul, South Korea	-	-	252	303
	George Town, Malaysia	-	-	269	-
	Taichung, Taiwan	-	-	401	-
	Semenyih, Malaysia	-	-	295	-
	Kampong Baharu Balakong, Malaysia	-	-	289	-
	Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR)	-	-	451	-
	Mexico City, Mexico	-	-	401	-
	New York City, United States	-	-	325	-
	Debrecen, Hungary	-	-	401	-
	Richardson, United States	-	-	368	-
	Waterloo, Canada	-	-	372	378
	Beijing, China	-	-	382	-
	Braunschweig, Germany	-	-	351	351
	Cairo, Egypt	-	-	295	-
	Daegu, South Korea	-	-	375	393
	Yangsan, South Korea	-	-	356	-
	Shanghai, China	-	-	451	-
	Taipei, Taiwan	-	-	178	-
	Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR)	-	-	372	-
	Tuscaloosa, United States	-	-	274	-
	Sekudai, Malaysia	-	-	351	-
	Chiang Mai, Thailand	-	-	371	-
	Seoul, South Korea	-	-	401	-
	Philadelphia, United States	-	-	401	-
	Perungudi, India	-	-	401	-
	Khargapur, India	-	-	401	-
	Mueang Nonthaburi, Thailand	-	-	451	-
	Rochester, United States	-	-	189	-
	Melbourne, Australia	-	-	451	-
	Szeged, Hungary	-	-	451	375
	Ramnagar, India	-	-	451	-
	Seoul, South Korea	-	-	339	-
Chungbuk National University	Wanju, South Korea	-	-	401	375
Chungnam National University	Seoul, South Korea	-	-	401	-
	Eindhoven, Netherlands	-	-	451	-
	Curitiba, Brazil	-	-	451	-
	Juatuba, Brazil	-	-	451	-
	Harbin, China	-	-	451	225
	Nawabganj, India	-	-	451	-
	Taipei, Taiwan	-	-	451	-
	Akademgorodok, Russia	-	-	451	-
	Oxford, United Kingdom	-	-	451	-
	Tokushima, Japan	-	-	451	-
	Bogotá, Colombia	-	-	451	-
	Orlando East Mobile Home Park, United States	-	-	451	-
	Beijing, China	-	-	451	-
	Braga, Portugal	-	-	451	314
	Glasgow, United Kingdom	-	-	451	-
	Wellington, New Zealand	-	-	451	-
	Perth, Australia	-	-	335	-
	Malmö, Sweden	-	-	381	-
	Niigata, Japan	-	-	401	-
	Tehran, Iran	-	-	401	395
	Karachi, Pakistan	-	-	401	-
	Berlin, Germany	-	-	401	341
	Bagong Pagasa, Philippines	-	-	401	-
	Cairo, Egypt	-	-	451	-
	Alexandria, Egypt	-	-	451	-
	Araranguá, Brazil	-	-	451	-
	Kagoshima, Japan	-	-	451	-
	Khon Kaen, Thailand	-	-	451	-
	Sakai, Japan	-	-	451	-
	Hat Yai, Thailand	-	-	451	-
	Depok, Indonesia	-	-	451	-
	Rostock, Germany	-	-	451	-
	Enschede, Netherlands	-	-	451	-
	Nijmegen, Netherlands	-	-	-	116
	Township of Langley, Canada	-	-	-	256
	Lejona, Spain	-	-	-	305
	Kish, Iran	-	-	-	352
	Cordova, Spain	-	-	-	381
	Graz, Austria	-	-	-	382
	Lafayette, United States	-	-	-	385
	Beijing, China	-	-	-	399

Specialisations within the field of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Astronomy & Space Sciences
Biotechnology
Natural Sciences
Financial Mathematics
Microbiology
Molecular Sciences
Neuroscience
Bioinformatics & Biostatistics
Biochemistry
Pharmacology
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
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Why Pursue a PhD in Biomedical Science?

New section.

Information about what one can do with a PhD in Biomedical Science.

Biomedical Research: What is it?

Biomedical research is the exploration of processes that govern the functioning of molecules, cells, and organisms in health and disease.

Biomedical Scientists: Who are they?

Biomedical scientists bridge the gap between the basic sciences and medicine. The PhD degree is the gateway to a career in biomedical research.

Biomedical scientists:

Think outside the box and are innovators.
Are critical and analytical thinkers.
Get excited by discovering new things.
Look at biology and see previously unrecognized patterns.
Enjoy the freedom to pursue interesting questions.
Have the persistence to a see a project through from small beginnings to great discoveries.
Want to improve the human condition through their work.
See the power of biomedical research to change the world.

About This Site

The content on this site was developed by the Aspiring Biomedical Scientists Committee of the AAMC Graduate Research, Education and Training (GREAT) Group . The GREAT Group serves as a national forum to help PhD, MD-PhD, and postdoctoral training programs educate successful biomedical researchers.

Helpful tools for those applying to medical PhD programs.

Upcoming short presentations will describe features of PhD training, alumni careers, and detailed logistics of the application process.

Learn about PhD Programs from program leaders.

Graduate schools in the biomedical sciences will generally provide a comprehensive funding package to their students.

PhD Programs by School

List of Postdoctoral Programs by School

Postbaccalaureate programs begin after an undergraduate degree and are designed to support the transition to professional school.

PhD in Biology

The PhD program in Biology is a research-intensive program that also has a strong focus on teaching, designed to produce top scientists and educators with a broad base of knowledge to tackle the most important biological problems of today. This is accomplished through research training, graduate-level courses, seminars, and teaching experience. Entering students are assigned an advisory committee of three faculty members who work with the student to plan a suitable program based on the student's experience and interests.

PhD students in Biology receive full tuition support for six years, a competitive stipend, health coverage, and receive extensive training in pedagogy, outreach, and communication that prepares them for careers in academia, biotechnology, education, and policy. Students are required to serve as teaching assistants for at least two semesters. Most students complete the requirement for teaching experience in the first year by assisting in the introductory undergraduate biology courses for two semesters.

During the first year, students become familiar with research opportunities in the department by doing short research rotations with various faculty members. This experience in expected to lead to the selection of a research focus for the PhD thesis, and it also sets the stage for cross-disciplinary approaches to the thesis topic that is pursued.

First- and second-year students usually take some graduate courses that are selected in consultation with the advisory committee, in addition to one required course: either Biology 243: Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology; Biology 244: Topics in Evolutionary Ecology; or Biology 246: Topics in Physiology and Animal Behavior.

The department faculty are educators as well as researchers, and the graduate students benefit from this expertise. Graduate students serving as teaching assistants have the opportunity to take a course on teaching and pedagogy to improve their skills, or to become involved with upper level courses in their area of expertise. In addition, we offer a one-month summer program for PhD students interested in contributing to course design and honing their teaching skills via GIFT, the Graduate Institute For Teaching .

Research Concentrations

Browse the six concentration areas below for recommended programs of study and relevant courses:

Biology Education Research
Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
Global Change Biology
Genetics and Molecular Biology
Developmental Biology
Physiology, Neurobiology and Animal Behavior

Graduate credit for a course requires a grade of B- (B minus) or better. A list of biology department undergraduate and graduate courses can be found by selecting the Courses button from the top bar.

Throughout the year, graduate students benefit from a variety of seminars on current research that are presented by faculty, fellow graduate students, and invited speakers.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Offered By: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Onsite | Full-Time | 5 – 6 years

MAS Application Fee Waiver Requirements
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Olayinka O. Shiyanbola, BPharm, PhD
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Susan D. Brown, PhD
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Wynne E. Norton, PhD
Yvonne Mensa-Wilmot, PhD, MPH
A. Susana Ramírez, PhD, MPH
Animesh Sabnis, MD, MSHS
Autumn Kieber-Emmons, MD, MPH
Benjamin Han, MD, MPH
Brooke A. Levandowski, PhD, MPA
Camille R. Quinn, PhD, AM, LCSW
Justine Wu, MD, MPH
Kelly Aschbrenner, PhD
Kim N. Danforth, ScD, MPH
Loreto Leiva, PhD
Marie Brault, PhD
Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN
Meganne K. Masko, PhD, MT-BC/L
PhuongThao D. Le, PhD, MPH
Rebecca Lobb, ScD, MPH
Allegra R. Gordon, ScD MPH
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Arden M. Morris, MD, MPH
Caroline Silva, PhD
Danielle Davidov, PhD
Hans Oh, PhD
J. Nicholas Dionne-Odom, PhD RN ACHPN
Jacqueline Mogle, PhD
Jammie Hopkins, DrPH, MS
Joe Glass, PhD MSW
Karen Whiteman, PhD MSW
Katie Schultz, PhD MSW
Rose Molina, MD
Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, ScD MPA
Andrew Riley, PhD
Byron J. Powell, PhD, LCSW
Carrie Nieman MD, MPH
Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES®
Emily E. Haroz, PhD
Jennifer Tsui, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Jessica Magidson, PhD
Katherine Sanchez, PhD, LCSW
Kelly Doran, MD, MHS
Kiara Alvarez, PhD
LaPrincess C. Brewer, MD, MPH
Melissa Radey, PhD, MA, MSSW
Sophia L. Johnson, PharmD, MPH, PhD
Supriya Gupta Mohile, MD, MS
Virginia McKay, PhD
Andrew Cohen, MD, PhD
Angela Chen, PhD, PMHNP-BC, RN
Christopher Salas-Wright, PhD, MSW
Eliza Park MD, MS
Jaime M. Hughes, PhD, MPH, MSW
Johanne Eliacin, PhD, HSPP
Lingrui Liu ScD MS
Meaghan Kennedy, MD
Nicole Stadnick, PhD, MPH
Paula Aristizabal, MD
Radhika Sundararajan, MD
Sara Mamo, AuD, PhD
Tullika Garg, MD MPH FACS
Allison Magnuson, DO
Ariel Williamson PhD, DBSM
Benita Bamgbade, PharmD, PhD
Christopher Woodrell MD
Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
Jasmine Abrams, PhD
Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain, MD
Karen Flórez, DrPH, MPH
Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD, MPH, CPH
Maria Garcia, MD, MPH
Robert Brady, PhD
Saria Hassan, MD
Scherezade Mama, DrPH
Yuan Lu, ScD
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About the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program

In the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program, faculty, and students work together to increase knowledge of the biochemical and molecular bases of normal and abnormal cellular processes. Our program trains students to be successful independent scientists and gives them the knowledge, research training, and leadership skills to continue to provide new insights into the biomedical issues that have a profound impact on public health.

Students engage in a rigorous course curriculum and a range of structured and informal activities outside the classroom and lab to build their skills. They will pursue their thesis research in the lab of one of our over forty training faculty across the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Visit our dedicated PhD program website to learn more about the diverse research training opportunities of the program.

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program Highlights

Our position within the School of Public Health provides a unique setting in which students learn how biochemistry, molecular biology, physical chemistry, cell biology, and genetics can be used to solve significant problems in public health and medicine. Our program offers:

Training faculty from across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine
A strong grounding in the science of biomedical and public health research through a core curriculum that includes courses taught by leading experts from the Schools of Public Health and Medicine
Training outside the lab and classroom in key skills such as communications and leadership
Opportunities to build strong communications skills through a range of speaking venues including journal club, research colloquium, department retreats, and national meetings
Access to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Professional Development and Career Office , offering excellent career services and professional development, including the BMB-required OPTIONS program, a guided process of career exploration for paths from medicine to biotech to academia and beyond for careers paths from medicine to biotech to academia and beyond
Opportunities to participate in community service and outreach, with a focus on our East Baltimore neighborhoods, through the Johns Hopkins University community engagement and service-learning center, SOURCE

Training faculty across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine

Schools that students can take courses in: Public Health, Arts & Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering

Two-month rotations in the first year prior to selecting thesis lab

Average number of incoming students in the BMB PhD degree program each year

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology?

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program prepares students for a range of biomedical and health sciences careers, including in academia, industry, policy, and beyond. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

Research Scientist
Science Policy Adviser
Biotech Executive
Senior Scientist
Patent Lawyer
Science Policy Analyst/Advocate
Science Writer/Journalist
Biological Sciences Teacher

Topic Areas

The BMB PhD program faculty conduct research to gain new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal cellular processes, and their relevance as targets for improving health and treating disease. Our training program places particular emphasis on mechanistic approaches to research problems.

Common topic areas within our faculty's diverse research interests include:

Biophysics and Structural Biology
Cancer Biology
Chemical Biology and Proteomics
Cell Biology
Cellular Stress and Cell Signaling
Genetics, Genomics, and Gene Regulation
Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Translational Research

Curriculum for the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The BMB PhD offers students a rigorous course curriculum, including a set of common core classes from the Schools of Public Health and Medicine. A rich array of seminar programs and journal clubs are also available to all students.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory .

Courses in core curriculum

Minimum elective credits

Seminars on current research presented by experts from across Johns Hopkins and other biomedical research institutions

Courses available across Johns Hopkins Schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Arts and Sciences

Admissions Requirements

For the general admissions requirements see our How to Apply page. The specific program also requires:

Prior Work Experience

Laboratory research experience (from academia, industry, etc.) is required

Prior Coursework

Strong background in the sciences, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are optional for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Ashani T. Weeraratna

Ashi Weeraratna, PhD, studies how cancer cells move to distant sites and how changes in the normal cells around a tumor contribute to their movement, especially as we age.

Michael J. Matunis

Michael Matunis, PhD, studies how protein modification by SUMO—the small ubiquitin-related modifier—drives changes in key cellular pathways from stress response to DNA repair.

Jennifer M. Kavran

Jennifer Kavran, PhD, MS, MPhil, is a biophysicist who investigates how cells communicate with each other and their environment.

Danfeng Cai

Danfeng Cai, PhD, combines advanced microscopy, genomics, and proteomics to tease out the functions of protein condensates in cells, with a focus on cancer.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1 , 202 3 . VTSI applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 202 3 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

All full-time PhD students receive the following support for all years of the program: full tuition and fees, individual health insurance, University Health Services fee, vision insurance, dental insurance, and a stipend for living expenses for students who remain in good academic standing. PhD students are required to serve as a teaching assistant for at least one term, in either their 2nd or 3rd year.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Mike Matunis, PhD PhD Program Director

Roza Selimyan , PhD BMB Executive Director for Academic Affairs and Education Programs

Erika Vaitekunas Administrative Specialist

[email protected]

Compare Programs

Check out similar programs at the Bloomberg School to find the best fit.
Master of Science (ScM), Offered by BMB
Master of Health Science (MHS), Offered by BMB
Master of Health Science (MHS), Offered by MMI
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Offered by MMI
Master of Health Science (MHS) in Environmental Health
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology

The PhD in Biology is a research degree requiring graduate-level coursework, completion of a dissertation, and two semesters of participation in teaching (usually as a teaching fellow in laboratory or discussion sections of lecture courses led by Biology faculty). For most students, obtaining this degree typically involves five or more years of full-time study.

A summary of Biology PhD student expectations by year can be found here . Full details can be found in the Graduate Program Guide .

The Biology Department guarantees support for five years for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.

How to Apply Frequently Asked Questions

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate academic mastery in one of three areas of Biology: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

2. 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 & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

3. Attain teaching experience and expertise in one of three broad areas of Biology: Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

4. Attain the skills and qualifications needed for employment in an academic, government, or private sector position related to the life sciences.

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete 64 credits with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; at least 32 of these credits must be accrued from lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course credits. See the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Transfer of Credits policy for more details.

2 semesters of Progress in Research Seminars (2 credits each):

Cell & Molecular Biology: BI 583 & BI 584 (CM section)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology: BI 579 & BI 580

Neurobiology: BI 583 & BI 584 (NEURO section)

1 semester grant-writing course (2 credits):

Cell & Molecular Biology: BI 581

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology: BI 671

Neurobiology: BI 581

1 semester pedagogy course (1 credit): All Biology PhD students take BI 697
1 quantitative course (3–4 credits): from a list of recommended courses .
Additional courses vary by specific track below:

Cell & Molecular Biology

1. GRS BI 791/GRS BI 792 Graduate Rotation Credits (2 credits each/4 credits total)

2. GRS BI 753 Advanced Molecular Biology (4 credits)

3. GRS MB 721 Graduate Biochemistry (4 credits)

4. GRS BI 735 Advanced Cell Biology (4 credits)

5. Two electives (8 credits, 500-level and above), see the Graduate Program Guide for recommendations

6. Research credits (remaining credits)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology

1. Six electives (24 credits, 500-level and above), see the Graduate Program Guide for recommendations

2. Research credits (remaining credits)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology PhD candidate coursework is highly variable. Students, in consultation with advisors, develop a plan of coursework and research. Students are required to take a minimum of 32 credits of coursework. The remainder of the credits should be research.

Neurobiology

2. GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience (4 credits)

3. GRS BI 741 Neural Systems: Functional Circuit Analysis (4 credits)

4. Four electives (16 credits, 500-level and above), see the Graduate Program Guide for recommendations

5. Research credits (remaining credits)

Teaching Requirement

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

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination must be completed no later than six semesters 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 & 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.

Graduation Timeline

Forms and additional information about PhD graduation can be found on the GRS website .

9 – 12 months before proposed graduation date

Dissertation Prospectus & approval form due to Graduate Program Specialist for departmental review and submission to GRS

Semester prior to your intended graduation cycle

Intent to Graduate Form completed online

About 2 months before dissertation defense

Meet with Graduate Program Specialist, Director of Graduate Studies, and Faculty Advisor to review requirements for defense
Arrange for Special Service Appointments if committee members are not BU faculty
Send first draft of dissertation to readers

Once defense date is confirmed with committee

Reserve room(s) for public seminar and defense

At least three weeks prior to dissertation defense

Schedule of Final Oral Exam with Abstract Approval due to GRS
Properly formatted draft of dissertation submitted as PDF to [email protected]

At least two weeks prior to dissertation defense

Send dissertation to all committee members

At least one week prior to dissertation defense

Send program information to Graduate Program Specialist

See the Graduate Program Guide for final dates to submit dissertation to ETD

Submit final dissertation to ETD (online submission)
Complete electronic signature page and forward confirmation to Graduate Program Specialist along with a copy of your submitted dissertation

MS Degree (En Route to PhD)

Option one: A PhD student who has advanced to candidacy (as demonstrated by passing the PhD qualifying exam), and has completed 32 credits of graduate-level coursework (not including research) may apply to the Graduate School for an 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, but has not advanced to candidacy based on the PhD qualifying examination, may still receive an MS degree. This student may receive a Coursework MS degree provided they have completed 32 credits of coursework (not including research credits). 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 a MS degree, and approved by a majority of the qualifying exam committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Interdisciplinary Study Options

Biology PhD students have the option to participate in the Boston University Graduate Program in Urban Biogeoscience and Environmental Health (BU URBAN), the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program Understanding the Brain: Neurophotonics (NSF NRT UtB: Neurophotonics), and the Biogeoscience Advanced Graduate Certificate Program . These programs require separate applications in addition to the standard Biology PhD application; those interested in BU URBAN are encouraged pre-apply .

Time Limits

Officially, the PhD must be completed within seven years after the first registration for doctoral study. PhD degrees are conferred in either May, August, or January, as specified on the GRS website . In addition, the PhD candidacy expires after the fifth anniversary of passing the Qualifying Examination. Petitions to extend this deadline are possible at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School, and can be obtained from the Office of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

The Biology Department guarantees support for five years for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program. PhD students are encouraged to apply for fellowships and grants at funding agencies. All domestic students should apply for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships in the Fall semester of their first or second year.

Travel Grants may be available to assist students in their travel to professional scientific meetings; students presenting papers or posters on their research will receive first consideration.

Common Types of Funding:

Dean’s Fellowships: These are non-service fellowships allocated to first-year PhD students that do not have immediate teaching requirements.

Teaching Fellowships: These provide a stipend plus full tuition and fees for up to four full courses per semester plus a 2-credit teaching course. Teaching responsibilities usually require approximately 20 hours per week. Full or partial awards may be given.

Doctoral Research Fellowships: These awards are given to students who assist individual faculty with specific areas of research. These Research Fellowships provide a stipend and full tuition. The supervising faculty member determines the specific duties of the Research Fellow.

In addition to the above funding sources, several competitive Department awards and fellowships are available to graduate students in the Department of Biology.

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Biology, PhD

The Biology Graduate Program represents many areas of biology, and interactions with a diverse group of colleagues provide opportunities to broaden every student’s thinking and make connections between different fields and scientific approaches. Areas of research include microbiology, cell biology, development, physiology, neuroscience, animal behavior, plant biology, genetics, computational biology, evolution, ecology and biodiversity.

Each entering graduate student has the freedom to pursue topics ranging from the behavior of molecules to that of cells, organisms, genomes, and ecosystems. We encourage students to get broad exposure through lab rotations with any faculty member in the Biology Graduate Group. As students focus on more specific research interests, they tailor their graduate education accordingly, choosing courses from different departments and schools at Penn as appropriate.

Students complete most of their course work and lab rotations in the first year and then start their thesis research in the second year while completing their teaching requirement and preparing for their candidacy exams. Students are then fully focused on thesis research by the end of the second year. Students still have the option of taking additional courses in advanced years in order to enhance their graduate research.

For more information: http://www.bio.upenn.edu/graduate/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

The total course units for graduation in this program is 13.5.

Course List
Code	Title	Course Units
Foundation Course
	Advanced Topics in Current Biological Research	1
Writing Requirement
	Communication for Biologists	1
Core Courses
Select two of the following:		2
	Advanced Evolution
	Evolutionary Ecology
	Theoretical Population Biology
	Genetic Analysis
	Cell Biology
Electives
Select three electives		3
Independent Study and Research		6.5
	Independent Study and Research

See the website for a list of electives: http://www.bio.upenn.edu/graduate/handbook/academic-topics/course-requirements

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study

Course List
Code	Title	Course Units
Year 1
Fall
	Advanced Topics in Current Biological Research
	Cell Biology
	Advanced Evolution
	Independent Study and Research
Spring
	Genetic Analysis
	Evolutionary Ecology
	Theoretical Population Biology

	Independent Study and Research
	Independent Study and Research
Summer

Year 2
Fall

	Independent Study and Research

Spring
	Communication for Biologists

	Independent Study and Research

Summer

Year 3 and Beyond

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Graduate students in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington receive a commitment from the entire department to support their education and research. In addition to providing five years of assistantships, we support our many of our students through endowed departmental grants for research and travel. Our students make excellent use of the many opportunities available to them, as evidenced by the extraordinary number of fellowships and awards received, the successful publication of high impact papers, and their regular contributions at national and international meetings. Our students receive additional training by participating in departmental governance, curriculum development, faculty recruitment and other activities. Together these factors combine to promote an unusual degree of professionalism and community spirit.

(All numbers are approximations, exact figures differ annually)

greater than 300

approx. 25 (about 9% of applicants)

6 year average

Minimum 2 quarters TAing

Our department provides funding for the first five years of your program through a variety of teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships. Students are frequently able to find funding for the duration of their research program through these means as well.

Member of the Team

By joining the Biology Department at the University of Washington, you will become a part of a world-class research institution. Here, graduate students are treated as colleagues by a committed faculty who work to mentor students, to provide opportunities to develop research interests, to network both on and off campus, and to publish and present their own research.

You will find a collaborative environment at the University of Washington, with faculty engaging in research with the lab next door, researchers across campus, and teams halfway across the world. Our graduate students are encouraged to collaborate similarly, seeking additional mentors and colleagues throughout the world who compliment their research interests.

Timeline to Completion


Begin program, lab rotation #1	Lab rotation #2	Lab rotation #3, choose advisor/permanent lab		Select Supervisory Committee; first year conversation
Wrap up Prescription Letter Requirements		General Exam by end of Spring Quarter		Supervisory Committee Annual Meeting
Conduct research and begin writing; work to publish/present research; Supervisory Committee Annual Meeting
Conduct research and continue writing; work to publish/present research; Supervisory Committee Annual meeting
Publish/present a chapter of your dissertation; select Reading Committee			Schedule Final Exam

If you would like to make an appointment with our Graduate Program Manager, Andrea Pardo - please consult their calendar linked here!

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Phd in biology: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in biology.

A PhD in Biology is a doctoral degree that focuses on the study of living creatures and how they interact with their surroundings. It is a four to six-year advanced academic degree that entails hard study and coursework in numerous fields of biology such as genetics, ecology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology.

Students engage closely with faculty members throughout the program to undertake original research in their subject of interest, culminating in a dissertation that explains their results and adds to the field of biology.

PhD biology graduates are equipped for positions in academia, research, business, government, and other professions requiring biological scientific competence.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Biology?

The median annual wage for biochemists and biophysicists (which normally require a PhD in Biology or a related subject) is $98,940, according to data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Microbiologists made $79,590 per year on average, whereas zoologists and animal biologists made $67,760. Here’s a table summarizing the salary ranges for various career paths for individuals with a PhD in Biology:


University Professor	$60,000 – $100,000+
Research Scientist (Academia/Research Inst.)	$60,000 – $100,000+
Research Scientist (Biotechnology)	$70,000 – $120,000+
Research Scientist (Pharmaceuticals)	$80,000 – $150,000+
EPA/NIH Research Scientist	$60,000 – $100,000+
Clinical Research	$70,000 – $120,000+
Genetic Counseling	$70,000 – $100,000+
Science Writer/Journalist	$50,000 – $100,000+
Science Education (University Level)	$60,000 – $100,000+ (Assistant Prof.)
Conservation Researcher	$50,000 – $90,000+
Public Health Researcher	$60,000 – $100,000+

What is expected job growth with PhD in Biology?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of biochemists and biophysicists is expected to expand 6% between 2020 and 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. Microbiologists, zoologists, and wildlife biologists are expected to gain 3% and 4%, respectively, throughout the same time period.


University Professor	9%
Genetic Counseling	21%
Research Scientist (Biotechnology)	7%
Research Scientist (Pharmaceuticals)	6%
Clinical Research	6%
Science Writer/Journalist	-4%
Science Education (University Level)	9%
Conservation Researcher	5%
Public Health Researcher	5%

Looking For Fully Funded PhD in Biology? Click Here

What can you do with a PhD in Biology?

A PhD in Biology can lead to a variety of employment options in academia, research, industry, government, and other disciplines. Here are some common career paths for people with a PhD in Biology:

1. Academic research: Many PhD holders go on to work as academic researchers at universities, research institutions, or government agencies. They may perform research in genetics, ecology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology, among other fields.

2. Biotechnology: Biotechnology firms frequently engage PhDs in Biology to perform research and development of new products and technologies such as medications, vaccines, and genetically modified organisms.

3. Medical research: Pharmaceutical and biotech businesses, as well as government agencies, engage people with a PhD in Biology to undertake medical research, such as discovering new treatments for ailments and analyzing drug effects on the body.

4. Environmental science: Individuals with a PhD in Biology can work in environmental science, studying the interactions of living organisms and their environments, as well as the impact of human activities on ecosystems.

5. Science writing and communication: Many people with a PhD in Biology go into science writing and communication, putting complicated scientific concepts into language that the general public can understand.

6. Science policy: Individuals with a PhD in Biology are frequently hired by government agencies and non-profit organizations to establish and implement science policy, such as legislation and funding priorities for scientific research.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Biology?

The specific requirements for obtaining a PhD in Biology can vary depending on the institution and program, but generally, the following are common requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Applicants to most PhD programs in Biology must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Although it is not usually required, certain schools may accept applicants with a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are usually expected to present certified transcripts of their undergraduate and graduate education, which demonstrate their academic performance and achievement.

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are typically expected to provide a personal statement or statement of purpose detailing their research interests, academic ambitions, and reason for pursuing a PhD in Biology.

4. Standardized Test Scores: Applicants to many PhD programs may be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other related assessments.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to PhD programs in Biology are frequently required to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who may speak to the applicant’s academic talents, research potential, and eligibility for a PhD program.

Looking For Scholarship Programs? Click here

How long does it take to get a phd in biology.

The length of time it takes to obtain a PhD in Biology depends on a variety of factors, including the program, the individual’s level of preparedness, and the nature of the research. A typical PhD program in Biology, on the other hand, takes roughly 4-6 years to finish.

Looking For Fully Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

Do you need a masters in biology to get a phd in biology.

A Master’s degree in Biology is not usually required to pursue a PhD in Biology. Many doctoral programs in Biology accept students immediately after they complete their Bachelor’s degree.

Coursework is usually included in the first few years of these programs to give students with the essential basic knowledge and research abilities before they begin their independent research projects.

Some PhD programs, however, may prefer or require applicants to have a Master’s degree in Biology or a related field prior to applying.

A Master’s degree can give a student more experience and expertise in their field of study, which can be useful while applying for PhD programs or performing research during their doctoral program.

What are the Best PhD in Biology Degree programs?

1. massachusetts institute of technology (mit) 2. stanford university 3. california institute of technology (caltech) 4. harvard university 5. university of california–berkeley 6. johns hopkins university 7. university of california–san francisco 8. princeton university 9. university of chicago 10. yale university, leave a comment cancel reply.

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PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health

Prepare for a high-impact academic or research career at the forefront of the biological sciences in public health..

As a student in the PhD in biological sciences in public health program, you will gain expertise in the prevention and treatment of diseases that affect thousands—even millions—of people. Working with leading public health scientists, you will learn both mechanistic and quantitative approaches to biomedical research, while specializing in one of four areas of investigation:

The metabolic basis of health and disease
Immunology and infectious diseases
Gene-environment interactions
Inflammation and stress responses

Each area of investigation emphasizes biochemical, cell biological, and genetic approaches to understanding disease. In your research, whether basic or translational, you will apply cutting-edge tools and techniques to advance the understanding, treatment, and prevention of human diseases that significantly impact global populations today. Current research within our laboratories includes these and other diseases and risk factors:

Atherosclerosis
Chagas’ disease
Environmental exposure to toxins
Inflammatory diseases
Kidney disease
Metabolic syndrome
Tuberculosis

As a graduate of the program, you will be prepared for a career as a faculty member in a college, university, medical school, research institute, or school of public health. You may also choose to pursue a career in research at a government agency, or in the private sector at a consulting, biotech, or pharmaceutical firm.

The program provides broad interdisciplinary knowledge of both mechanistic and quantitative approaches to biomedical research and prepares graduate students for research careers with courses in the following areas:

Biochemistry, Genetics
Biostatistics
Cell biology
Epidemiology
Immunology/Infectious diseases
Molecular biology
Toxicology/Cancer cell biology

All students admitted to the PhD in biological sciences in public health program, including international students, are guaranteed full funding, which includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance for five years, provided they maintain satisfactory progress.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

To qualify for admission, applicants must demonstrate strong enthusiasm and ability for the vigorous pursuit of scientific knowledge. Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree and undergraduate preparation in the sciences.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Like all PhD (doctor of philosophy) programs at the School, the PhD in biological sciences in public health is offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Applications are processed through the Harvard Griffin GSAS online application system . The program is located within the Division of Biological Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

OUR COMMUNITY: COMMITTED, ACCOMPLISHED, COLLABORATIVE

As a PhD candidate in the biological sciences in public health program, you will be part of a diverse and accomplished group of students with a broad range of research and other interests. The opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas outside of the classroom will be one of the most rewarding and productive parts of the program. The School fosters those relationships by sponsoring an “informal curriculum” of seminars, journal clubs, retreats, and other opportunities that will broaden your knowledge, hone your presentation skills, and teach you how to critically evaluate scientific literature while providing a supportive, collaborative community within which to pursue your degree. Our location in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area—home to Harvard Medical School, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and many world-class hospitals—makes collaboration with eminent laboratory and clinical researchers a natural part of the educational experience. And when you graduate, you will benefit from Harvard’s unparalleled global network of alumni leaders.

LEARN MORE Visit our website at www.hsph.harvard.edu/biological-sciences for more information or contact [email protected]

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A place to discuss all things biology! We welcome people and content from all related fields.

Pros and cons of getting a PhD in biology?

I've been looking into/applying for PhD programs in cell biology, and I was pretty excited for it all until I talked with people I respect (all have gone through grad school) about my plans. I've been getting an overwhelmingly negative response about it, and it's made me reconsider my plans to continue my education.

Comments and advice I've gotten include: "If I could give back my PhD I would." "You will ruin your life." (dramatic, I know) "It would be much better for you to quit working as a technician in academia and work in industry with your B.S." "There are no jobs for PhD holders, there are more opportunities to move up if you get a MBA and work in industry."

So reddit, what do you think? The fact that I have yet to hear a single positive comment about obtaining a PhD has scared me out of applying, but I feel like I'd feel dissatisfied and limited by working as a technician forever.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Department of biology, ray p. authement college of sciences, search form.

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Undergraduate
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You’re ready to go to grad school for biology. Congratulations! That’s a big decision, and you should be excited about expanding your educational horizons. But now, the big question is ahead of you: Should I pursue a master’s in biology or my PhD in biology? To find your answer, there are a lot of factors you need to consider—like where you see your career heading and the commitment you want to make to your education.

Where do you want to work?

Master’s in biology programs may be a better choice if you’re looking to work in a field other than academia.

A master’s in biology is great preparation for working in industry and business, or if you want to pursue an additional professional degree in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, or other applied fields.

How much time do you want to spend in school?

To be clear, earning any graduate degree is a significant time commitment that you shouldn’t begin unless you’re sure you can see it through. Earning your master’s in biology takes about two years, depending on how many classes you take each semester and whether you do a thesis. If you decide to work while you’re going to school part time, the time it takes to complete your biology master’s program may extend to three or more years. A PhD in biology requires a much longer commitment; for some, it can take as much as 4-6 years or longer. But don’t write off the value of those years! While you’re working on your PhD in biology, you’ll take classes, yes, but you’ll also lead your own research projects and complete a dissertation, which includes all of your original contributions to your field. When deciding between a biology master’s program or PhD, you have to know if you have the passion and dedication to sustain an academic pursuit of 3 years or perhaps as long as 10 years.

Do you want to specialize in your field?

Do you have a really intense interest in a specific idea or question in biology or a specific animal or plant? How much effort do you want to devote to studying that one thing? The potential to specialize in a specific area of biology corresponds directly with the type of advanced degree you earn. A PhD in biology program is designed to let you become hyper-specialized in your area of interest. Your research and dissertation revolve around that specialization, preparing you to be an expert by the time you graduate. The master’s in biology curriculum is broader, and not as specialized—mostly because you’re not diving as deeply into your studies as you would in a PhD in biology program. You can still choose to have a specialization within the master’s in biology program, but it won’t be the entire focus of your studies.

Why not do both?

If you’re not sure if you’re ready for a PhD in biology program, but you’re ready to earn your graduate degree, you can treat a master’s in biology program as preparation for your PhD. In fact, in the history of our program, having a master’s degree in biology is the single best indicator of success for students in the doctoral program. Earning a master’s degree requires a shorter commitment, and will help you learn whether you’d like to go on for a doctoral degree and in which field. The master’s in biology program at UL Lafayette has both a non-thesis option and a thesis option. The thesis option is research-based, and is a great way to help you decide if you’re ready to pursue your PhD in biology.

Find out more about the master's in biology › Find out more about the doctorate in biology ›

Finally, I Wrote a Post about Grad School by Abby H. '20

"grad's cool"

April 30, 2020

in Advice ,
Life after MIT

I applied for biology Ph.D. programs this past fall and interviewed at several schools in January and February. The process was incredibly familiar ⁠ 01 tbt applying to MIT >4 years ago and yet so different from anything else I’ve done. This post contains some reflections on that, but I also recommend reading echoe’s post from a couple of years ago for those of you who are just now wrapping up undergrad app stress and need ⁠ 02 I know how you guys are something to worry about for the future.

Why did I apply to Ph.D. programs?

It’s the thing you do if you major in life sciences and want to get a good research job.

It’s ~5 years of subsidized training in a field that I appreciate. I’m not one of those people who rambles on about how fascinating biology is. If anything, when I talk about cool biology stuff, it’s an attempt to get my smarter peers interested in it so that they might bring their outside skill sets ⁠ 03 Where would the science be without the development of new techniques and instruments? to the field.

I am not someone who dreamt of being a scientist as a little girl. In elementary school, I wanted to be an artist, the kind that stands at an easel and holds a palette of oil paints and wears a beret. In middle school, and to some extent even now, I wanted to be Nardwuar. In high school, I thought I might want to be an anesthesiologist because they made good money. When I applied to MIT, I said I was interested in Course 10 (Chemical Engineering), but that was mostly because I had taken IB Chem ⁠ 04 funny enough I am a bio major despite my lowest IB score being HL Bio and gotten a 7 my junior year. I thought that numbers like that revealed where I was most competent and therefore what I should study. I didn’t even like chemistry that much. I don’t even think I liked science that much; it was just the area of the pool that “smart” people like me were encouraged ⁠ 05 My parents did not go to college. While they pushed me to pursue college, I did not get much guidance on that besides don't waste your time on a liberal arts degree and you need to go somewhere that will give you a scholarship. I'm going to graduate MIT soon with a science degree and no debt, so I guess everything went according to plan. to swim toward. Going to college did not provide me with a sudden jolt of clarity about what I wanted to do next.

Now that I’ve spent the last few years in “science,” I’m on friendly terms with it. So I applied to grad school to be trained to be a good biologist (and also because I think it would be cool to *~*~*discover*~*~* something). While standing at a lab bench all day is not something I would put at the top of the list of things I am most passionate about (I am, after all, a normal human being), it is something that I like just enough to be okay with doing it for the next five years (and maybe more). Furthermore, I am not incredibly confident in my ability to get a job right now, especially now that the economy/job market has been upended by a pandemic. ⁠ 06 Of course, I didn't know that was going to happen when I applied. This lack of confidence was largely due to unfamiliarity with being “professional” and “corporate” and “wearing blazers,” but now that I’ve dabbled in those a little as a result of Ph.D. interviews, they don’t seem as impossible. I know (and knew then) that consulting and business stuff do not suit my interests or skills, so why attempt the career fair rat race? Apply to grad school and remain a student… perpetually.

Grad school just felt/feels like the right thing to do right now.

How did you choose your schools?

I admit that I could have planned this part out a little better. At the beginning of last summer, I had no idea where I wanted to apply. There was a vague desire to find a place with decent enough name recognition that people wouldn’t be like “what’s that.” There was also some inkling of wanting to go somewhere that was slightly less traditional, such as a grad program within a medical school or at a university that doesn’t have undergrads. However, one of the biggest things I took into consideration was geography. I knew that I didn’t want to go back to the South. I have complicated feelings about the South. I knew that I wanted out of Boston ASAP. I liked the time that I spent in the Bay Area, but so does every yuppie MIT grad who moves out there. I also enjoyed the time I had spent in New York City. ⁠ 07 Where else would a girl want to spend her twenties? Additionally, I knew I could get really cheap housing there with a friend of mine. I ended up applying to four schools in NYC and two schools in the Bay Area, based off of some recommendations from my PI and the gut feeling that I got from the programs’ websites.

Additionally, I had heard that the best programs to apply to are ones that don’t enforce specialization in the beginning. Umbrella programs, with (at least initially) fluid inter-departmental boundaries, tend to accept more applicants than the specialized programs. Often in bio Ph.D. programs this takes the form of a unified Molecular Biology department with divisions like genetics, biophysics, computational, biochemistry, etc. It makes sense, if you think about it. An immunology program might only have 2 or 3 slots, but an umbrella biology program would have 10-15 or 20-30 slots to fill. I prioritized umbrella programs but applied to a couple of more niche ⁠ 08 BIO PUN ALERT stem cell programs at certain schools.

What was the application process like?

CV/Resume: A list of things you have done and are in the process of doing. I made mine and then revised it after a meeting with someone at CAPD . It had my three ⁠ 09 My current lab at MIT, the internship I had last summer, and the lab I was with in high school. Yes, I included my high school lab, because the research I did there was somewhat advanced and also because I wanted to make the research section a little longer to balance out the extracurriculars section. I was careful not to emphasize that that was research I did in high school (because really it wasn't! I was at a university working with grad students). research experiences on it and then a long list of various non-school things I do at/not at MIT. Though I have read elsewhere that grad schools generally don’t care that much about your extracurriculars, ⁠ 10 which makes me sad because I'd love to talk to faculty about college radio I still wanted the admissions committees to see what I do when I’m not being a pipette robot.
Letters of recommendation: Letters from three or four people who are familiar with you and the kind of work you are capable of doing, preferably from the field whose programs you are applying to. The most valuable letters are from research advisors. At some schools, the most competitive applicants will have letters from three different research advisors. Unfortunately, I had only been with one lab since starting at MIT, and I had stayed there the whole time. That gave me one very strong letter… and nothing else. Of course, I had done an internship in industry over the summer, but I was not sure that a letter from my supervisor there would be valuable because my advisor was not faculty at any academic institution and also because I thought I had done a bad job there. I ended up asking her anyway because I had enjoyed my time there and I didn’t have another research advisor I was comfortable asking. My high school research experience seemed irrelevant; though I liked my mentor there, I think it would have come across as a little desperate if he wrote my third letter based on what high school me was like in lab. So I was stuck without a third letter-writer until my Course 7 advisor offered to write one for me. That was a considerable weight off my shoulders, but I still wanted to get a fourth recommendation from someone for those schools where a fourth letter was allowed. I had a professor in Course 9 who had taught me in a small-ish class/complementary CI-M ⁠ 11 Communication Intensive - Major: You have to take at least two of these in your major to graduate. These classes require a significant amount of writing and presentation. write the fourth letter for me, though she had some reservations ⁠ 12 She told me that in her experience on grad admissions committees at MIT, letters from instructors were typically not very useful, but that she would write a letter anyway if I needed her to. about not being able to comment on my research experience. About a month and a half before deadline, I emailed each of my recommenders a copy of my CV, a list of the schools/programs I was planning on applying to and their deadlines, and an explanation of what I thought their perspective ⁠ 13 e.g. my current PI could speak on my research skills, my internship PI could say something about how I adapted to my new research environment in industry, my academic advisor could provide some insight into my academic improvement over the semesters he had advised me since my grades were pretty bad my freshman spring, my professor could also evaluate my academic potential and my ability to communicate could offer for my application.
GPA/Transcripts/GRE scores: The numbers part of the process. Often there are hard cutoffs here to narrow the pool. I had a 4.5/5.0 GPA by the time I applied. It took a lot of work to get it that high, but even still I was not sure it would be high enough in light of the contents of my transcript. As a small aside, whenever I brought up concerns (to certain people) about my GPA not being high enough, they would be dismissed with a “oh well they’re not going to care if you get a C in Medieval Literature lol” or “that’s actually pretty good for MIT.” The thing is, my C’s aren’t in “fluff” courses. In fact, I’ve always done well in the classes that are considered the least important by highly STEM-focused people. I have C’s in 8.02 ⁠ 14 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism and 7.03(!). ⁠ 15 Genetics I got a B in 7.016. ⁠ 16 Intro to Bio I couldn’t find anything on The Forums about this kind of situation besides a few “yeah that’s not good”s. I was convinced that those grades were going to tank me. The whole time I was writing personal statements I was worried that it was a waste of time because they wouldn’t look at my application after seeing that C in Genetics. It’s all speculation. I have no insight into what happens in those committees. It appears that that C didn’t matter all that much to the majority of schools I applied to who still invited me to campus for an interview (a big caveat here is that it’s a C at MIT , which might make the committees a bit more sympathetic). GRE scores are important sometimes, too, but I made a conscious decision not to apply to schools that required the GRE general test. Luckily for me, a lot of molecular biology Ph.D. programs have dropped that requirement in recent years. This is not true for every Ph.D. program, but maybe it will be soon. I had previously planned to write a whole rant blog post about standardized testing, but I’ll save you the click: I think the GRE is obsolete as a tool for predicting preparation for graduate studies (as do a lot of other people ); it does not make sense that an exam for entrance into graduate school a.) is best taken early on in your college years when you’re still in SAT mode and have all the math/verbal skills necessary to do well on the exam and b.) relies on formulaic essay-writing and cheap tricks to trip up and stratify test-takers who haven’t spent hundreds of dollars on test prep and aren’t accustomed to the common traps. If the GRE administrators could show me how their formulas actually apply to the work that grad school requires, I would reconsider my position. But currently it looks to me like yet another cog in the machine of social reproduction . This isn’t even coming from some bitter test-taker who got a low score. I’ve always been good at standardized tests, and the GRE was no exception. I took it and did great but came out of the exam feeling deeply unsettled by the whole racket. I hope it mysteriously vanishes and everyone gets their $160 back.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose/Research Statement/Diversity Statement: Almost but not exactly a cover letter for your application. There is not enough of a difference between personal statements and statements of purpose to get bogged down in making them conform to PrepScholar.com’s distinctions. Usually the application will provide a little more detail on what is expected in terms of content and word count. Basically, you introduce yourself and your background, why you’re applying to that program specifically/why do you think the program is a good match, what you want to do with your training, faculty you would be interested in working with, and anything else that would be relevant to a committee member who has decided to give your application a shot. I ended up tailoring each of mine to the schools fairly heavily due to big differences in program affiliations (i.e. my “why grad school here” spiel switched up a bit depending on if that specific program was connected to a medical school or hospital) and in suggested word counts (I was asked for personal statements ranging between 600 and 1500 words). As a side note, I find the “why do you think you would be a good fit here” aspect of these essays irritating. I had never gone to any of those schools to check out the campus and culture or whatever. All I had to go off of was their websites and some encouraging words from my post-doc in lab. ⁠ 17 She's been my direct mentor throughout my time in lab and we happen to both be leaving at MIT at the same time--she got a faculty position offer recently! It seemed a little ridiculous to explain how I fit into a place that I had never experienced, so I focused more heavily on discussing how my research prepared me for grad school. ⁠ 18 ironically, also something that I can't know for sure until I spend some time in grad school One school I applied to didn’t ask for a personal statement; instead they wanted a Research Statement of up to 750 words describing my most meaningful research experience (the main question, how I approached it experimentally, what results I got and how I interpreted them, what I would do next). That one was actually really hard to write because most of my research boils down to “I put the drugs on the cells and waited to see if it would kill them.” The two California schools I applied to asked for a Diversity Statement, a brief essay on my background and any obstacles I faced in pursuing my education. It’s always been hard for me to write about my ethnic background, ⁠ 19 What Does It Mean To Be Mixed so I talked about sports instead. Anyway, this part was definitely the most time-intensive part of the application process, largely because it feels so unnatural to write in that mode. I like to put jokes in my writing. I like to assume familiarity. I like “personal,” but those essays felt far too formal to leave any imprint of personality.

What were interviews like?

I was far too stressed to enjoy my interview weekends. There’s some more detail on that in my post from February. ⁠ 20 it was a much simpler time, many years ago... The schools tended to use the time as both recruitment and refinement. So they’re feeding you the finest wine ⁠ 21 you know it's good stuff when the choices are simply Red or White... who am I kidding I am just a child with no taste who will never be able to discern between good and bad and cheese while also sitting you at tables with faculty who might be judging your etiquette. I felt watched all the time. Were they taking note of how I slipped off to the bathroom for twenty minutes to avoid the third mandatory mingle session of the day? Is this current grad student evaluating whether or not they would want to be friends with me? Will I be judged for not eating this godawful chicken that’s covered in cinnamon? Why is this faculty member asking me about my favorite bands to emerge from the post-9/11 NYC music scene? Is this optional pub night with students really optional? Am I asking smart questions? Mix all of that doubt in with a couple of interviews that went awry and assignments that were due regardless of my little interviews and you’ve got E X H A U S T I O N. I was so tired that I skipped several semi-mandatory events just to rest.

me standing in front of a sign for the martha stewart center for living at mount sinai

me and Martha Stewart @ Mount Sinai

The interviews themselves weren’t even as terrifying as I was expecting. My post-doc had warned me that some faculty can be pretty ruthless in their questioning, almost as if they’re trying to make you slip up. She recommended reading at least two papers from each faculty interviewer’s lab to become familiar with their research because they could ask me about it. I did not have time to do this. On the day of my first set of interviews, I was in a room with several other applicants who were getting some last minute studying in before their interviews. I looked over and saw a girl who had printed out a faculty member’s CV and annotated it. The interviews were only thirty minutes long; I hadn’t even considered studying peoples’ CVs. And it turns out that I didn’t really need to. Most of the preparation I needed was reviewing the papers I had co-authored and writing summaries of my research. The most background research I did on any faculty was to read the research summaries on their websites.

a Sol LeWitt (the color room guy) piece @ Weill Cornell

More technically: Getting to interview is a big deal. If you make it to this stage, the school has already made a favorable preliminary judgment about you and wants to see if you would fit in well with the program in person. The faculty who interview you are chosen either by you or by an administrator matching you based on your interests. I had 3-5 interviewers for each school, 30-40 minutes each, but I have heard that some other places do wild stuff like 12 interviews at 20 minutes each, spread over 2 days. I did not do any group interviews, but then again the whole thing felt like a group interview anyway. The basic anatomy of an interview was something like this:

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself. Me: [insert short biography] Interviewer: [says something about themselves that relates to my background] Interviewer: Tell me about your current research. Me: [describes my two years of research in the Walker lab at MIT] Interviewer: [asks question about the subject] AND/OR [points out a similarity between our areas of research] Me: [attempts to answer question] AND/OR [remarks on the similarity] Interviewer: Let me tell you about my research. [tells] Interviewer: Any questions? About this or about the program? Me: 1. Why did you choose to work here? 2. How did you end up studying what you study? Interviewer: [talks about their scientific journey] Interviewer/Me: Time for next interview! Thanks for talking to me!

It wasn’t too bad unless the interviewer got persistent about a question that I didn’t really know the answer to. It’s hard to defend a project that is not wholly yours; however, I can see how “um that’s just how my post-doc does it” is an unsatisfying reply. The whiplash of going from one nice and successful interview to the next scary and unproductive interview is something that left a bad taste in my mouth at one school in particular. My worst interview was with an older faculty member who wasn’t very conversational. He asked what I wanted to do after my Ph.D. and I confidently ⁠ 22 There has long been a kind of stigma attached to Ph.D. students who sell out and go into non-academic fields; this was at an institution that repeatedly stressed to us that it wasn't like that there and that faculty have friendly ties to industry. told him “probably industry.” He told me that I should reconsider because academia would be best. No smile or sarcastic intonation. Just “you’re wrong.” I found myself struggling to come up with questions to ask him because he wouldn’t give any more detail than was explicitly asked of him. I asked him if he got many Ph.D. rotation students in his lab and he said “No, not American ones. They usually leave.” I asked him why he chose to work at that school and he said “Because they offered for me to be the director of [sub-program not specified here for the sake of anonymity].” I have no idea why this guy was interviewing prospective students. The other interviewers I had were very similar to my MIT interviewer from back in December 2015: interested in having a conversation.

the skyline from UCSF's stem cell building

the view from the stem cell building at UCSF (architecturally a very interesting structure)

I also feel the need to add that because I applied to a couple of smaller programs, I ended up going to faculty members’ actual homes for dinner. At some places, these dinners would be before the interviews; other places would schedule them the same day or the day after. In all cases, the faculty would say that the dinners were not meant to be part of the interview process, but I can’t help but think they inform their decision in a major way. Can’t make small talk with the other applicants? You’re probably not a good fit. Showing visible signs of exhaustion after a full day of travel and recruitment programming? Doesn’t look good. I’m not a very conversational person, so this is kind of stuff is one of my circles of hell.

a fishbird in a creek on berkeley campus

a cool bird @ Berkeley

What happens next?

One or two weeks after interviews, you get a decision. I like that part better than undergrad admissions; the turnaround time on those is understandable yet unbearable. I also liked that I could generally get a read on whether or not my interviews went well enough for me to be admitted, so I knew what decision to expect. It’s a weird kind of intuition that you just don’t get out of the black box of college admission decisions. Around the same time ⁠ 23 Yet another way that this part is different from undergrad admissions: all the interview invites get sent out weeks or sometimes a month before the rejection emails. So if it's February and everyone at The Grad Cafe got their invites the first week of January, you know that you're not getting that invite. that I was getting these decisions, a couple of schools finally got back to me to let me know that Regretfully We Cannot Offer You Admission . It felt a lot like last summer when I was several weeks into my internship and got an email out of the blue from some random company Regretfully Informing You That We Cannot Offer You A Position and Join Our Job Network To Apply For Other Postings .

How did you choose where to go?

I asked this question to most of my faculty interviewers. They gave great answers, but one of them was honest enough to say “Well, there isn’t exactly a surplus of academic jobs currently, so getting an offer from a place like this was great. I learned to love it after I got here.” Now that I’m done with the process, I feel a similar way. I didn’t apply to so many places that it would be a tough to narrow it down. I also didn’t apply anywhere that I couldn’t see myself going, so any choice I made (if I had any choice to make at all) would probably be a good one. A girl at a couple of my interviews applied to twelve top programs and had gotten interview invites from nearly all of them. I have no idea where she’s going to end up, but her choice was almost definitely much harder than mine.

After interviewing at my first school, I was convinced that I would probably get in and enroll and be plenty satisfied there, to the point of almost cancelling the other interviews. Good thing I didn’t: I’ve officially committed to the very last school I interviewed at. I’ll be starting my Ph.D. at Berkeley this fall.

The blogs always stress how important “fit” and “the people” are when it comes to making these difficult decisions. I think the technical term “vibes” encompasses both of those and is the best description of what guided my choice. I enjoyed interviewing at Berkeley, even though I had already mentally committed to a school in New York. After I spent some time there, I just knew.

Lightning Round!

Not every discipline is like biology when it comes to grad school best practices. I can only sign off on the above so far as it relates specifically to my experience applying to bio-related programs. Med school is very different. Your experience may be very different.

I shouldn’t have applied to stem cell programs. I don’t have any stem cell background really; I just think they’re neat. ⁠ 24 This is not a good reason to give your interviewers. It would have been better to have stuck to applying to the larger programs.

Maybe I regret not going the M.D./Ph.D. route. I’m the kind of person who reads Wikipedia pages on rare diseases and looks at medical oddities for fun. The human body is disgusting and awe-inspiring, and M.D./Ph.D. programs provide you with an extensive background on what these assemblages of flesh do. They’re also subsidized. ⁠ 25 The thought of six figures of medical school debt terrifies me. There’s a reason they’re highly selective.

Observations?

I’ve run the numbers on three data points and found that faculty who work in mitochondrial biology are great interviewers.
A lot of bio grad programs have some ethically dubious billionaire names tied to them.
It’s weird how schools will play up their strengths by comparing themselves to other schools. At the medical school-affiliated programs I applied to, there was heavy emphasis on how great it is for translational research to have a hospital on campus. At Berkeley (which conspicuously lacks a medical school), the virtues of basic science ⁠ 26 I am reminded of a Concourse freshman seminar in which the discussion question was something like why do we pursue knowledge. Most people answered the same way: to solve problems in the world. I, of course, had to come up with something different and not basic, so even though I am largely of the mindset that yes, we learn so we can solve, I said that sometimes the goal of knowledge is simply to know more, to understand better. The TA liked my incredibly profound and unique answer, one that surely no one else has ever thought of ever. And yes, everyone on the bus stood up and clapped for me, including Obama, who was listening the whole time. were lauded as a major strength; projects do not necessarily need to be translational as long as they expand our understanding of The Science.
More research advisors = more connections = more people who have a buddy at the school you’re interested in who might be willing to talk to you about the school. As much as I hate the economy of connections, it’s real and it could make a world of difference for you.
If you like to have a lot of choices, apply to a lot of programs. I applied to six, which is on the low end; I ultimately got offers from two of those after interviewing at four. You can’t really predict what your rejected:interviewed:accepted ratio will be, so don’t die trying.
Don’t email potential research advisors out of the blue unless you have been referred to them by someone who knows them. I have been given a lot of conflicting advice on this subject. Someone will probably email me telling me this is bad advice. On forums for Ph.D. programs in other areas, ⁠ 27 mostly humanities I have seen things like “I will not accept a student unless they reached out to me before applying.” The biology faculty I have discussed this with, however, generally agree that they have too many emails to read in a day to be dealing with inquiries from over-eager undergrads. ⁠ 28 This is not a contradiction of the above point about reaching out to people your PI knows. Those emails are good to send. The emails that I'm talking about here are more along the lines of Here Is My CV. I Liked Your Lab Website. Should I Apply? which is usually met with either no response or a quick idk apply and see what happens. You are a stranger, after all. That faculty member may not even be a part of the admissions committee. It’s really discouraging to type up a long email to someone only to have them reply with a couple of links to the grad admissions FAQs for their school.
It is perfectly fine to take time off after undergrad before applying to grad school. Plenty of people do Master’s programs, research tech positions/postbacs, or something entirely different before applying to Ph.D. programs. Some programs actually prefer ⁠ 29 It makes sense if you think about the kind of investment that the school is putting into you. Who would be more likely to drop out of the program: someone who has done two years of full-time, independent research already or some kid applying as a senior in college who has never worked full-time in research? that you have done a Master’s before applying. For a while, I considered getting a technician job for a year or two before applying. Most of the people I talked to on these interview weekends were working or finishing up Master’s degrees. I am too debt-averse to consider applying to Master’s programs when I know I want to do a Ph.D. anyway, so I went ahead and applied as an undergrad.
On the subject of finances, it’s always a good idea to save up any money you can. Application fees can add up. The interview weekends are typically paid for, but often the payment comes in the form of a reimbursement check that gets sent to you a month afterward. You will likely have to front a lot of the costs yourself. Even now, I’m dreading the amount of money I will spend on moving expenses and apartment deposits, but I’ve been saving all along, so it won’t be too much of a shock.

That was a lot of anecdotal information, but I hope it is (will be) helpful to one of you dear readers (someday).

Post Tagged

#grad school
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I know how you guys are ⁠ back to text ↑
Where would the science be without the development of new techniques and instruments? ⁠ back to text ↑
funny enough I am a bio major despite my lowest IB score being HL Bio ⁠ back to text ↑
My parents did not go to college. While they pushed me to pursue college, I did not get much guidance on that besides don't waste your time on a liberal arts degree and you need to go somewhere that will give you a scholarship . I'm going to graduate MIT soon with a science degree and no debt, so I guess everything went according to plan. ⁠ back to text ↑
Of course, I didn't know that was going to happen when I applied. ⁠ back to text ↑
Where else would a girl want to spend her twenties? ⁠ back to text ↑
BIO PUN ALERT ⁠ back to text ↑
My current lab at MIT, the internship I had last summer, and the lab I was with in high school. Yes, I included my high school lab, because the research I did there was somewhat advanced and also because I wanted to make the research section a little longer to balance out the extracurriculars section. I was careful not to emphasize that that was research I did in high school (because really it wasn't! I was at a university working with grad students). ⁠ back to text ↑
which makes me sad because I'd love to talk to faculty about college radio ⁠ back to text ↑
Communication Intensive - Major: You have to take at least two of these in your major to graduate. These classes require a significant amount of writing and presentation. ⁠ back to text ↑
She told me that in her experience on grad admissions committees at MIT, letters from instructors were typically not very useful, but that she would write a letter anyway if I needed her to. ⁠ back to text ↑
e.g. my current PI could speak on my research skills, my internship PI could say something about how I adapted to my new research environment in industry, my academic advisor could provide some insight into my academic improvement over the semesters he had advised me since my grades were pretty bad my freshman spring, my professor could also evaluate my academic potential and my ability to communicate ⁠ back to text ↑
Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism ⁠ back to text ↑
Genetics ⁠ back to text ↑
Intro to Bio ⁠ back to text ↑
She's been my direct mentor throughout my time in lab and we happen to both be leaving at MIT at the same time--she got a faculty position offer recently! ⁠ back to text ↑
ironically, also something that I can't know for sure until I spend some time in grad school ⁠ back to text ↑
What Does It Mean To Be Mixed ⁠ back to text ↑
it was a much simpler time, many years ago... ⁠ back to text ↑
you know it's good stuff when the choices are simply Red or White... who am I kidding I am just a child with no taste who will never be able to discern between good and bad ⁠ back to text ↑
There has long been a kind of stigma attached to Ph.D. students who sell out and go into non-academic fields; this was at an institution that repeatedly stressed to us that it wasn't like that there and that faculty have friendly ties to industry. ⁠ back to text ↑
Yet another way that this part is different from undergrad admissions: all the interview invites get sent out weeks or sometimes a month before the rejection emails. So if it's February and everyone at The Grad Cafe got their invites the first week of January, you know that you're not getting that invite. ⁠ back to text ↑
This is not a good reason to give your interviewers. ⁠ back to text ↑
The thought of six figures of medical school debt terrifies me. ⁠ back to text ↑
I am reminded of a Concourse freshman seminar in which the discussion question was something like why do we pursue knowledge. Most people answered the same way: to solve problems in the world. I, of course, had to come up with something different and not basic, so even though I am largely of the mindset that yes, we learn so we can solve, I said that sometimes the goal of knowledge is simply to know more, to understand better. The TA liked my incredibly profound and unique answer, one that surely no one else has ever thought of ever. And yes, everyone on the bus stood up and clapped for me, including Obama, who was listening the whole time. ⁠ back to text ↑
mostly humanities ⁠ back to text ↑
This is not a contradiction of the above point about reaching out to people your PI knows. Those emails are good to send. The emails that I'm talking about here are more along the lines of Here Is My CV. I Liked Your Lab Website. Should I Apply? which is usually met with either no response or a quick i dk apply and see what happens . You are a stranger, after all. ⁠ back to text ↑
It makes sense if you think about the kind of investment that the school is putting into you. Who would be more likely to drop out of the program: someone who has done two years of full-time, independent research already or some kid applying as a senior in college who has never worked full-time in research? ⁠ back to text ↑

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Doing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences

What does a PhD in Biomedical Sciences Involve?

At the core of a Biomedical Sciences PhD project is the ability to develop the skills required to carry out research into the science of the human body and the causes and treatments of the diseases affecting the body.

Biomedical Science research at university can cover a wide range of project areas including cancer biology, cardiovascular science, cell pathology, medical microbiology and immunology. Other research topic focuses include dermatology, diabetes, kidney disease and diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

A key motivator for the university is to help convert postgraduate research students into leading scientists of the future. As such, many institutions place a great emphasis on building a status of scientific excellence, giving PhD students access to state-of-the-art facilities and building a pathway for scientists to develop careers in sectors within and outside academia.

Browse PhDs in Biomedical Sciences

A next-generation genetic technology to identify biotechnologically-valuable enzymes and transporters, ubiquitin-dependent signalling pathways in ageing, exploring the impact of microplastic-bacterial complexes on animal health and the gut microbiome, energy dissipation in human soft tissue during impacts, micro-manufacturing of surface textures for enhanced electrosurgery, how long does it take to get a phd in biomedical sciences.

Typically, it will take you 3 years of full-time research to earn a Biomedical Science PhD . The duration of a part-time PhD will be around 6 years. Often, PhD students are first registered as MPhil students before carrying out their upgrade viva and their registered status to PhD student. In some institutions, the degree programme offered may incorporate an additional/preliminary first year in which taught courses are delivered to prepare the student for the research work to come.

What are the typical entry requirements for a PhD in Biomedical Sciences?

Most universities will require you to have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree from a UK university or the equivalent grade from an institution outside of the UK. The degree will need to have been in a field that’s relevant to Biomedical Sciences. You may still be eligible to apply if you have a grade lower than a 2:1, if you also hold a Master’s degree.

You’ll need to provide the university with evidence of your English language proficiency if English is not your first language. Typically, a minimum IELTS test score of 6.5 is needed to gain entry to research programmes however this may be higher from one university to another.

How much does a Biomedical Sciences PhD cost?

In a UK university, UK based postgraduate research students should expect to incur annual tuition fees in the region of £4,500/year . With a full-time PhD lasting 3 years, this equates to £13,500 in fees. This is on the basis that you’re studying full time; part time students should expect to pay lower fees, with some variability between institutions about how this is calculated.

For international students (including now EU students), the annual tuition fee costs around £23,500/year, equating to £70,500 over the span of 3 years.

As with all PhDs, potential students will need to consider living costs and any bench fees that may be expected by their particular project or graduate school.

What can you do with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences?

Many Biomedical Sciences PhDs continue on with postgraduate study by becoming post-doctoral researchers, teaching fellows and research fellows within university or clinical settings, such as local NHS hospitals. Others develop successful careers within the pharmaceutical industry or move into research and development within the private sector.

Specific job roles that graduates could go into include becoming biomedical scientists, microbiologist, toxicologist or clinical scientists.

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The Department of Biology graduate curriculum spans the spectrum of sub-disciplines of the biological sciences. We are primarily a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program. The program is grounded in coursework involving current biological concepts and culminates in the defense of a dissertation describing novel and quality research conducted independently by the student. Doctoral graduates in biology are highly competitive for positions in academic settings, industry, and international research facilities.

The PhD program in biology offers students two distinct degree tracks that allow for a broad, foundational training in modern biology while also affording a focused, specialized research experience:

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Quantitative biology - doctorate (phd).

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The PhD in quantitative biology is designed to train students to apply sophisticated quantitative techniques to solving basic and applied problems in biology. Students 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.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Department of Biology offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in quantitative biology with research emphasis in genome biology & genetics, cell biology, ecology & systematics, 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.

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Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond

Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner

Photo of three young students writing a formula on a green blackboard with white chalk.

Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don’t know much about the preparation you’ll need and the available job opportunities. If you’re wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We’ll review how to prepare for a career in economics research, what an economics PhD program entails, and what types of opportunities it might bring. Economic education is a core component of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s mission to serve the community. To empower would-be economists, this post provides information for students who seek a career in economics research. We hope this information will be helpful to students interested in economics, regardless of their background and economic situation.  This information is most applicable to students applying to programs in the United States.

The Breadth of Economics Research

Academic disciplines conduct research in different ways, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of the types of questions economists ask and how they approach answering them. There are many definitions of economics, but a broadly useful one is the study of how people, organizations, and governments make decisions under different constraints, and how those decisions may affect their outcomes.

When answering these questions, economists seek to ground their analyses in models and to be quantitatively precise about the effects they assign to any given cause. The range of topics economists can study is wide, but the accepted approaches to answering questions are stricter. Some examples of what economists might ask:

How do different public housing programs affect the children who live there?
Does a certain type of law encourage businesses to innovate?
How will a change in the interest rate affect inflation and unemployment rates?
How much does affordable health insurance improve people’s health?
How can poor countries eradicate poverty?

There are many different subfields within economics, including, but not limited to behavioral, econometrics, energy/environmental, development, financial, international, monetary, public, and urban economics. You can familiarize yourself with the latest work in economics by subscribing to working paper series, such as NBER’s New This Week or the New York Fed’s Staff Reports . To get an idea of the breadth of questions economists can answer, you could listen to Stephen Dubner’s “ Freakonomics Radio ” podcast. You may also want to explore the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the New York Fed’s Liberty Street Economics blog, VoxDev , or VoxEU .

What Is a PhD Program Like?

Economics PhD programs typically last five to seven years. Unlike masters programs, they are often fully funded with a stipend, though most require students to complete teaching assistant and/or research assistant (RA) work as part of their funding package. In the first two years, students take classes, many of which are mathematically demanding. The rest of the program can include additional classes but is primarily devoted to original research with the aim of producing publishable papers that will constitute the dissertation.

Faculty advisors are a central part of PhD programs, as students look to them for guidance during the research process. Economics PhD programs are offered within university economics departments, but there are similar programs in public policy and business schools. You can look at their websites to understand any differences in coursework and subsequent job placements.

What Can You Do with an Economics PhD?

Upon graduation, students can obtain jobs in a variety of industries. Many PhD students hope to become university professors. Governments and public policy-related institutions such as the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. federal government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also hire economists to work on policy, lead programs, and conduct research. Finally, economics PhD graduates can also find employment at a variety of private sector companies, including banks, economic consulting firms, and big tech companies. The pay for these different positions can vary. According to the American Economics Association (AEA), the average starting salary for economics assistant professors in 2022-23 was approximately $140,000 at PhD granting institutions and $98,000 at BA granting institutions.

Programs often publish the placements of their PhD graduates, so you can look online to see specific employment outcomes. See, for example, the University of Maryland’s placements . Ultimately, economists are highly regarded as authorities on a variety of topics. Governments, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and non-financial businesses all look to economists to answer important questions about how to best achieve their goals. Thus, earning an economics Ph.D. can potentially help you to influence issues that are important to you.

Preparing for an Economics PhD Program

There are several components to an economics PhD program application: college transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Please download the Appendix linked below to learn more about transcripts and letters of recommendation. The Appendix details ways in which you can select coursework, obtain research experience, and develop relationships to position yourself for success as a PhD applicant.

If you feel that you are too far along in your academic career to take enough of the classes described in the Appendix, this does not necessarily preclude you from pursuing an economics PhD. For example, it’s possible to take some of these classes through a master’s program, or through a pre-doctoral RA job. Some pre-doctoral RA jobs, such as the one here at the New York Fed , may enable you to take classes in preparation for graduate school. If you are concerned about your transcript, reach out to an economist at your university for advice; program standards for coursework and grades vary, and it’s a good idea to get more personalized advice.

Research Experience

If you’re interested in becoming an economics researcher and applying to PhD programs, it’s best to get research experience as soon as possible. Working as an RA is a great way to learn how to conduct research and get a better idea of whether it’s the right career path for you. Additionally, it can help you obtain a letter of recommendation for graduate school applications and improve your qualifications.

All types of academic research can be enriching, but it’s beneficial to gain experience working directly with an economist. To find a position, you can reach out to professors whose work you find interesting or find an RA program at your school. Typical RA tasks may involve data collection and cleaning, as well as running analyses and creating charts to represent results. This is where coding skills become crucial; having taken math, statistics, and econometrics courses will also enable you to take on more responsibilities.

You may also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, possibly under the supervision of a professor at your university. This research could be self-initiated or part of a course such as a thesis workshop. Self-directed research is a great opportunity to learn about all stages of the research process. It’s also an excellent opportunity to create a writing sample for graduate school applications. Ultimately, though, your motivation for conducting your own research project should be that you want to answer a question. One thing economists have in common is a love of answering questions using data and theory.

Research experience is also often obtained after completing an undergraduate or master’s degree. Taking on a full-time RA position before applying to PhD programs is very common and can make you a more competitive applicant. You may either get an RA job working for a professor or participate in a pre-doctoral RA program.

Research assistant programs are more structured than positions with individual professors or projects, which could be helpful. Universities, parts of the government, think tanks, research organizations, and the Federal Reserve System are all good places to look for research assistant programs. To help you decide which opportunities are most desirable, you may want to ask potential employers : Where do people in this program tend to go afterward? Will I be working directly with an economist? How much of my time will be spent on academic research work? Will I be able to take classes as part of this program? Considering whether an economist will be able to evaluate your performance is an important factor for recommendation letters. The ability to take classes, either through tuition reimbursement or waivers, can also be an important benefit.

The Research Analyst program here at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one example of these programs and you should check it out here . The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has a large program, and many other regional Federal Reserve Banks have similar programs. In addition, the PREDOC website and the NBER post listings of RA opportunities. J-PAL and IPA also tend to recruit RAs for economic development projects. Another source of RA opportunities is the @econ_ra account on X.

Who Should Get a PhD in Economics?

A PhD may not be for everyone, but it is for anyone—people of all genders, religions, ethnicities, races, and national origins have PhDs in economics. Many economists majored in economics, but others majored in math, physics, or chemistry. Because economics is such an integral part of policymaking, it is important that economists come from a wide range of backgrounds so policy can be stronger and more effective. The inclusion of differing perspectives helps ensure that the contribution of economists to work in public policy, academia, and beyond effectively serves the broadest range of society.

Coursework Appendix

Kasey Chatterji-Len is a research analyst in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Research and Statistics Group.

Anna Kovner is the director of Financial Stability Policy Research in the Bank’s Research and Statistics Group.

How to cite this post: Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner, “Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Liberty Street Economics , May 31, 2024, https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2024/05/thinking-of-pursuing-a-phd-in-economics-info-on-graduate-school-and-beyond/.

You may also be interested in: AEA: Resources for Students

PREDOC: Guidance for Undergraduates

RA Positions-Not at the NBER

Disclaimer The views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author(s).

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The training for a Ph.D. in Biology is focused on helping students achieve their goals of being a successful research scientist and teacher, at the highest level. Students work closely with an established advisor and meet regularly with a committee of faculty members to facilitate their progress. The Biology Ph.D. program is part of the larger ...
9 Careers After a PhD in Biology (With Salaries)
Here are nine careers that you can pursue after earning a Ph.D. in biology. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below: 1. Postsecondary biological sciences teacher. National average salary: $53,712 per year Primary duties: Postsecondary biological sciences teachers lecture biology students on various related ...
Your complete guide to a PhD in Biology
Biology studies the origin, structure, function, and evolution of all living organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. Biology is also known as "the science of life" because it seeks to understand all the physiochemical relations and interactions between different life forms. There's a significant overlap between Biology and other ...
Why Pursue a PhD in Biomedical Science?
The PhD degree is the gateway to a career in biomedical research. Biomedical scientists: Think outside the box and are innovators. Are critical and analytical thinkers. Get excited by discovering new things. Look at biology and see previously unrecognized patterns. Enjoy the freedom to pursue interesting questions.
PhD in Biology
The PhD program in Biology is a research-intensive program that also has a strong focus on teaching, designed to produce top scientists and educators with a broad base of knowledge to tackle the most important biological problems of today. This is accomplished through research training, graduate-level courses, seminars, and teaching experience.
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The BMB PhD program faculty conduct research to gain new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal cellular processes, and their relevance as targets for improving health and treating disease. Our training program places particular emphasis on mechanistic approaches to research problems.
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The PhD in Biology is a research degree requiring graduate-level coursework, completion of a dissertation, and two semesters of participation in teaching (usually as a teaching fellow in laboratory or discussion sections of lecture courses led by Biology faculty). For most students, obtaining this degree typically involves five or more years of ...
Harvard Biological & Biomedical Sciences PhD Program
The Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Program at Harvard offers Ph.D. training in the biosciences, built outward from core training in contemporary genetics, biochemistry, and molecular, cellular, and mechanistic biology. Under BBS, are interwoven research communities comprised of basic science departments and interdepartmental programs ...
Doing a PhD in Biology
A PhD in biology requires a good knowledge of mathematics, statistics and biology. Besides independent research, a PhD will entail advanced training in biology and developing skills in analytical thinking. The typical entry requirements for a PhD in biology is a strong Masters degree (minimum of 2:1) in a relevant field of study.
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Biology, PhD. The Biology Graduate Program represents many areas of biology, and interactions with a diverse group of colleagues provide opportunities to broaden every student's thinking and make connections between different fields and scientific approaches. Areas of research include microbiology, cell biology, development, physiology ...
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PhD Program. Graduate students in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington receive a commitment from the entire department to support their education and research. In addition to providing five years of assistantships, we support our many of our students through endowed departmental grants for research and travel.
PhD in Biology: Requirements, Salary, Jobs, & Career Growth
5. Science writing and communication: Many people with a PhD in Biology go into science writing and communication, putting complicated scientific concepts into language that the general public can understand. 6. Science policy: Individuals with a PhD in Biology are frequently hired by government agencies and non-profit organizations to establish and implement science policy, such as ...
PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health
As a PhD candidate in the biological sciences in public health program, you will be part of a diverse and accomplished group of students with a broad range of research and other interests. The opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas outside of the classroom will be one of the most rewarding and productive parts of the program.
Pros and cons of getting a PhD in biology? : r/biology
It is possible to get through a Ph.D. and basically know little more than when you started. Or, you can take the opportunity to focus and learn at a rate far greater than any other previous point in your life (except possibly the first 5 years). You have the chance to be on the frontier of knowledge.
Biology PhD
The Biology PhD degree provides a rigorous, research-focused course of study. You'll be prepared to pursue multiple career pathways related to the biological sciences, including postdoctoral and academic positions, and in related industries, such as biotechnology, bioengineering, healthcare and pharmaceutics.
Advanced Biology Degrees: Master's vs. Doctoral
Most PhD in biology programs are geared toward working in academia. A biology doctoral program will also prepare you for a research-centered career in biomedical and biotechnology industries, where you can lead your own research projects and contribute new, groundbreaking information to your field. Master's in biology programs may be a better ...
What the heck do you do with a Ph.D. in the biomedical sciences?
In this scheme, hopeful young Ph.D. students start their careers by taking classes and doing research under the mentorship of a professor in a particular field. Graduating from a Ph.D. program usually requires a thorough demonstration of independent thinking through the publication of academic papers related to a thesis topic and the formal ...
Finally, I Wrote a Post about Grad School
Life after MIT. I applied for biology Ph.D. programs this past fall and interviewed at several schools in January and February. The process was incredibly familiar⁠ 01 and yet so different from anything else I've done. This post contains some reflections on that, but I also recommend reading echoe's post from a couple of years ago for ...
Doing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences
Typically, it will take you 3 years of full-time research to earn a Biomedical Science PhD. The duration of a part-time PhD will be around 6 years. Often, PhD students are first registered as MPhil students before carrying out their upgrade viva and their registered status to PhD student. In some institutions, the degree programme offered may ...
Oh, the places you will go with a PhD in biology!
In the United States, about 12,500 students obtained a PhD degree in 2014. 2 While in the 1970s more than 50% of PhDs in biology successfully transitioned to a faculty position, this number currently is less than 15%. Just because we are graduating more PhD students each year does not mean that universities will grow their departments and ...
Graduate Biology Programs
The Department of Biology graduate curriculum spans the spectrum of sub-disciplines of the biological sciences. We are primarily a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program. The program is grounded in coursework involving current biological concepts and culminates in the defense of a dissertation describing novel and quality research conducted ...
Quantitative Biology
The PhD in quantitative biology is designed to train students to apply sophisticated quantitative techniques to solving basic and applied problems in biology. Students will attain substantially greater quantitative skills than in traditional doctoral programs in the biological sciences, providing them with a competitive advantage in business ...
2024 Best Colleges for Biology
#2 Best Colleges for Biology in America.. Stanford University. 4 Year,. STANFORD, CA,. 1285 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars. Featured Review: Graduate Student says Attending Stanford has been a mix of excitement and challenges.Going to games is a blast, with plenty of sports activities.
Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and
Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don't know much about the preparation you'll need and the available job opportunities. If you're wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We'll review how to prepare for a career in ...