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One could say that Biologists are born, not made. That is, one knows that s/he is going to take the road into science long before reaching the graduate
school application stage. But graduate study requires preparation, and our program is no exception.
The minimum requirements for admission to graduate study in the Department of Biological Sciences for both graduate
programs (MCDB and E&E) are described below. Additional requirements may apply for any specific program (e.g.,
identification of a research advisor for the first rotation is strongly advised for admission into the E&E program). These requirements are as
follows:
- A college degree. A baccalaureate degree in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics is typically required. Students obtaining other degrees should
described their educational history in their application.
- Good grades. An overall and science undergraduate performance of B or better (Quality Point Average of at least 3.0/4.0) is typically required to
demonstrate good preparation for graduate study.
Exceptions to these criteria require special justification at both Department and Graduate School
levels. Credentials of applicants educated outside the United States will be evaluated by other criteria but an
excellent performance is still required.
- A broad education. We'd like to see at least two courses completed in each of the following study areas: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics through Calculus. Appropriate advanced courses should have been completed in the area of interest.
- Good GRE scores. Our threshold is typically placement at or above the 60th percentile in both the Aptitude and Advanced sections of the Graduate
Record Examination. The Advanced test is not required, but it can help your application. Appropriate subjects for the Advanced
test are Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
- Good language skills. For applicants whose native language is not English, proficiency in English must be demonstrated by a score on a TOEFL examination
of at least 600 for the paper-based test, 250 for the computer-based or 100 fo rthe internet-based test. Alternatively, a comparable achievement on a Test of Spoken English, or by personal interview can be substituted.
Test scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are acceptable as an alternative to the TOEFL. Students submitting IELTS results must have
a score of 6.5 to meet minimum University admissions standards for English language competence.
- Experience with Independent research. Almost all of our successful applicants have participated in some form of independent research, either while they were an undergraduate or afterwards (e.g., as a laboratory technician).
We find that this experience, even if brief, provides students with a good indication as to whether they wiol enjoy doing research as a graduate student.
- Letters of recommendation. Like most programs, ours requires submission of three or more letters in reference from undergraduate faculty or laboratory
supervisors who are in a position to assess accurately your qualifications for graduate training. Letters from your research mentor are encouraged.
- The desire to learn. This is assessed from a statement from the applicant describing any special training, career goals, and personal
motivation for attending our graduate program.
The Graduate Admissions Committee (GAC) evaluates applicants with complete files and interprets these guidelines with
appropriate flexibility to accommodate various needs, such as class size and composition, within the available resources. A
personal interview may be arranged. Each program within the Department may impose additional requirements with regard to
undergraduate course preparation or test scores. Students with post-baccalaureate training or relevant experience (such as
graduate training at another institution) should include additional documentation of that training (i.e., a graduate school
transcript, copies of publications and letters from graduate faculty).
Beginning in December, GAC considers applications for admissions to the Fall Term. Applications completed early are more likely to be
considered before the class is filled. Interested students from the United States should complete an application before 15 January to receive full
consideration. International students should complete an application before 15 December to receive full consideration.
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