Biology, PhD

The Ph.D. is the main graduate degree program in Biology. It provides the training neessary for a student to become an independent professional scholar in the life sciences with the skills to carry out their own original research and to educate others. Student growth is an emphasis of the program. New students arrive and are expected to begin doing research immediately. Coursework blends regular classes, seminars, and research hours and is the focus during the first 4 semesters, with the mix depending on the level of prior coursework a student has had. A written and oral qualifying exam occurs sometime in year 3. Following a successful qualifying exam, research becomes the dominant focus of a student’s time. Once a significant body of original research has been achieved, a Ph.D. candidate writes a dissertation and defends it before a public audience and a commitee of faculty members.

Admission Requirements 

Offers to enter the Ph.D. program are based on the applicant’s potential as a scientist and educator. Application review is based on (A) a current CV, (B) a Personal Statement that addresses specific questions related to the applicant’s motivation for obtaining a Ph.D. and research interests (see https://bio.as.uky.edu/GraduateAdmissions for more details), (C) three letters of recommendation which address the applicant’s potential for success in the program, and (D) minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate work (3.0 in graduate work if applicable).

Degree Requirements  

• 36 credit hours are required to sit for Ph.D. candidacy. Four of the 36 credit hours must be in a BIO 770 credit. At least 2 consecutive semesters of BIO 767 (Dissertation Residence Credit) registration after the qualifying exam are needed to be eligible for graduation.
• All student are required to give a department wide seminar during their 4th year in the program.
• All students are required to have a chapter of their dissertation either published or submitted for publication at the time of graduation.
• For more information please see our website at: https://bio.as.uky.edu/grad-program