Bioscience PhD Programs
Main navigation, molecular biology program.
Exceptionally collaborative and rigorous interdisciplinary graduate training environment designed to equip students with a strong foundation for a career in the modern biomolecular sciences.
- More than 180 labs in eight diverse departments of Biochemistry, Human Genetics, Neurobiology, Oncological Sciences, Pharmacology & Toxicology, the School of Biological Sciences, the Division of Pathology in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Nutrition and Integrative Physiology
- Students carry out cutting-edge thesis research in world-class facilities
- Curriculum provides a solid background in key areas of modern molecular biology
- Designed to teach independent, critical thinking skills, and grant writing
- Electives give students a wide variety of options in tailoring coursework
- After the first year, students leave the Program and formally join one of the seven science departments above to continue thesis research in the laboratory of a Program faculty member
- Join our research community!
Program Benefits
Students who are accepted into the program enjoy the following benefits:
- Annual fellowship / Living stipend support ( $37,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year )
- $1,000 Starting Allocation
- Tuition Waver
- Health Insurance
- Outstanding Core Facilities
- Collaborative Environment
Research Emphasis Areas
One of the many strengths of the Bioscience PhD Programs are the cross-departmental research emphasis areas . The research emphasis areas showcase a wide breadth of research excellence that the Bioscience PhD Programs and the University of Utah has to offer.
Explore the individual faculty profiles of our research community. Students have a variety of choices to carry out cutting-edge research mentored by world-class scientists.
- Current Students
- Student Resources Page
- Requirements for the PhD Program in Molecular Biology
- Academic Standards
New Video!
Congratulations to the university of utah health for reaching the $500 million reserach milestone.
- Faculty Research Profiles
- Faculty Application to the Molecular Biology Program
- Faculty Resources Page
Program Guidelines
- Program Administration & Committees
- Academic Standards Policy
School of Biological Sciences
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Eeob/mceb graduate programs.
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL 2025 IS DECEMBER 1, 2024
The School of Biological Sciences is accepting applications for Fall 2025, the application deadline is December 1, 2024. Materials such as letters of recommendation will be accepted for applications that are submitted by the December 1, 2024 deadline.
Slate application system
Admissions Review Criteria
Academic Performance
The applicant's overall GPA should be considered with special attention to math and science courses. It may be useful to consider whether grades have trended upwards during the undergraduate career, or whether the candidate mentions extenuating circumstances for low grades. In any case, please keep in mind that a special approval is required to admit any candidate with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0. The GRE is not considered.
Research Experience & Potential
Research experience is a valuable indicator of a candidate’s aptitude for a career in science. Indicators of such experience may be found in a candidate’s CV, personal statement and letters of recommendation. Experience in a specialized area of research, although helpful, is not an absolute prerequisite for consideration of a candidate. The goals and interests candidates express in the personal statement will be evaluated alongside prior experience.
The personality trait "Grit" is associated with energetic pursuit of long-term goals. Also known as effortful persistence, grit is a validated predictor of future success in the face of challenges that is not strongly limited by sociodemographic boundaries (Lechner, 2019, PLoS One). Candidates who score well in this category will have taken advantage of available opportunities, demonstrated sustained commitment to difficult projects, or illustrate examples of meeting challenges and overcoming adversity.
Candidates will show evidence of compatibility with the School of Biological Sciences by identifying potential faculty mentors in an authentic way, by speaking to broad interests in one or more of the areas of strength within our research community (ecology, organisms, molecular, cellular and evolutionary biology), and by commitment to communicating science to non-specialized audiences.
How to Apply
Applicants should apply using the Slate application system .
Follow the instructions on the application site to submit the following:
- Online Application
- TOEFL/IELTS Scores (International student only) -- minimum TOEFL score is 80 or higher & minimum IELTS score is 6.5 or higher. Click this link for information about TOEFL waiver application .
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (essays are typically 1 to 3 pages in length)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials well in advance of the deadline. Official transcripts and English proficiency test scores (international students only) are required.
For further information on required forms, the application process and general application questions, please visit Frequently Asked Questions .
Apply Online Now
Application Fee Waiver
The application fee is $55 for domestic applicants and $65 for international applicants.
Domestic students may use the application fee waiver code apply25biol for Fall 2025 in the Application fee waiver code field under at the bottom of the Additional Materials section.
International students are not eligible for a fee waiver for Fall 2025. The non-refundable graduate application fee is $65 for international applicants. The application fee must be paid in order to consider your application complete.
Application fee waiver codes are program specific and data entry errors or codes created by other programs will not be honored or credited. The University of Utah and School of Biological Sciences cannot reimburse or reverse application fees paid by the applicant.
Faculty and departments are not able to provide or sponsor application fee waivers for international students.
Faculty Recruiting Graduate Students
Application timeline.
- December 1, 2024: Application deadline for Fall 2025
- December - mid January: Review of applications
- February 6 - 9, 2025: Interviews for applicants
- Mid to late February: Applicants notified of admissions decision
- April 15: Decision date for acceptance of admission offers by applicants. The University of Utah subscribes to the Council of Graduate Schools April 15 Resolution .
View Resolution
Financial Assistance
All Ph.D. students in good academic standing receive up to five years of financial support, either as a Teaching Assistant or as a Research Assistant. In addition, the School of Biological Sciences (Biology) will provide a basic health insurance plan to students who are not otherwise covered by a policy. Tuition coverage is included (domestic and international students) and requires 9-11 credit hours of graduate-level course work per semester, excluding summer.
- Academic Year 2024 - 2025
- Annual Stipend - $37,000
- Health Insurance Provided by United Healthcare
- Dental/Vision Insurance Provided by EMI Health
EDGES Fellowship
The School of Biological Sciences/Biology participates in the fellowship program “Enhancing Diversity and Graduate Student Success (EDGES) of the College of Science. All students accepted to the Biology Graduate Program will be invited to apply to this program and priority for awards will be given to admitted students seeking Ph.D. training.
Program Information
Living in Utah
What's it like Living in Utah? Graduate students from the School of Biological Sciences and Molecular Biology show newbies why the Beehive State is the place to get your graduate degree.
Apply to a leading research institution, the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
We are a large and collaborative community studying all aspects of biology. We provide exceptional opportunities to learn, work, and collaborate across many levels of biological organization and styles of research in the heart of Mountain America.
Come be a part of a great research community! The Bioscience PhD Programs are comprised of the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program. Each program is distinct in its core curriculum and requirements and reach across 11 departments at the University of Utah.
Research. Anna Vickrey Anna Vickrey who graduated from the School of Biological Sciences with a PhD in 2020 has always been fascinated with domestication, both the process and the “products” which include the plants and animals important to our lives and history as humans.
With more than 200 participating faculty, students have a variety of choices to carry out cutting-edge research mentored by world-class scientists. One of the many strengths of the Bioscience PhD Programs are the cross-departmental research emphasis areas.
Molecular Biology Program. Exceptionally collaborative and rigorous interdisciplinary graduate training environment designed to equip students with a strong foundation for a career in the modern biomolecular sciences. APPLY NOW!
Graduate students from the School of Biological Sciences and Molecular Biology show newbies why the Beehive State is the place to get your graduate degree. INTERESTED IN STUDYING BIOLOGY? Apply to a leading research institution, the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah.