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Graduate Programs

Overview of Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences

Welcome to the Biological Sciences graduate program.  The Department of Biological Sciences at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ offers an innovative coursework-based Master of Arts (MA) degree as well as research-based Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.  All graduate students, regardless of program, have the opportunity to engage in research with internationally recognized faculty.

The list of Biological Sciences graduate programs can be accessed from the links in the blue side bar on the left-hand side of this web page.

Application Fee Waivers

  • For Domestic Applicants: ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ is offering a Free Application Week (waiving the application fee) for applications submitted for Graduate Programs between October 20 - 27, 2025.
  • For International Applicants: If you are interested in applying for the PhD or  MS Graduate Program in Biological Sciences and you are having a financial hardship, we encourage you to submit the  no later than OCTOBER 12th.
  • Applicants who are selected to receive the fee waiver will be notified by NOVEMBER 1st.  We will award up to 10 fee waivers to our top applicants.
  • Earning a fee waiver does NOT guarantee acceptance to the BSCI graduate program.
  • All applicants who earn a fee waiver are encouraged to submit their official application through the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ application system by NOVEMBER 15th.

 

Graduate Assistantships, FAQs & Additional Information

M.S. and Ph.D. Programs

FAQs regarding the M.S. and Ph.D. programs

Graduate Assistantships

  • The application cycle for Fall 2026 admission is open now through Nov. 15, 2025.
  • M.S. and Ph.D. programs only offer admission for Fall semester.
  • Unconditional acceptance in both our M.S. & Ph.D. programs includes a Graduate Assistantship position that comes with a stipend, tuition coverage, and some health insurance benefits.  You do not need to apply for these benefits separately.

Additional Teaching, Support, and Training

Departmental teaching/research assistantships include:

  • A full tuition waiver
  • Annual stipend
  • Money towards the purchase of health insurance

Additional financial support includes:

  • Travel money to conferences
  • Graduate Student Senate research awards
  • Opportunities to apply for additional graduate student awards/endowments/fellowships

Additional training includes:

  • Research Ethics
  • Professional Writing Course
  • Departmental Seminars Series
  • Program Journal Clubs
  • Training in use of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities
  • Workshops in professional skills and careers

 

M.A. Program
  • We offer rolling admissions into the MA program for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. 
  • Graduate Assistantships are NOT available for students enrolled in the MA program.

Find FAQs for current and future students on our Biology - MA program page.

 

 

Alumni Highlights
 

 

  • Liz Aulino photo
    Dr. Liz Aulino, PhD Integrative Physiology & Neurobiology

    Dr. Aulino graduated with a PhD in Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ in Spring 2021.

    Where she is working:

    Dr. Aulino is working as a Technical Support Consultant for Bio-Rad Laboratories. This role entails working with scientists to troubleshoot experimental outcomes associated with Bio-Rad products. She works remotely and her position allows her to do lots of technical troubleshooting - it's the best of all worlds.

    Citations of papers published:

     Aulino, E.A. and Caldw

  • Cindy Perkovich photo
    Dr. Cindy Perkovich, Phd Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

    Dr. Cindy Perkovich graduated with a PhD in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ in Spring 2021.

    Where she is working:

    Dr. Perkovich started in her position on June 1st, 2021 in the Entomology Department at Tennessee State University. She is working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Nursery Crop Research Center in McMinnville for Karla Addesso. Karla gave the keynote speech for the Tennessee Entomological Society in September, 2021.

    Citations of papers published:

    Perkovich, C., & Wa

  • Photo of Desmond Owusu Kwarteng
    Dr. Desmond Owusu Kwarteng, PhD Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics

    Where will you be working once you graduate?

    I will be working as a Postdoctoral Research fellow in the lab of Prof Bradley Hyman at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

    What papers have you published with citations?

    Owusu Kwarteng D, Gangoda M, Kooijman EE. The effect of methylated phosphatidylethanolamine derivatives on the ionization properties of signaling phosphatidic acid. Biophysical Chemistry. 2023 Mar 11:107005.  

    Graber Z, Owusu Kwarteng D., Lange SM, Koukanas Y, Khalifa H, Mutambuze

Check Out Our Graduate Student Socials!
 

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