Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

The Ph.D. in Biology program has as its intellectual focus an interdisciplinary synthesis of the biological sciences and related biotechnology. In addition to a vigorous research concentration, the program emphasizes the importance of relevant coursework. All students are required to complete a series of core courses related to the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Before selecting electives, students must choose a concentration (1) Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B), (2) Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCD), or (3) Molecular Biophysics. The cornerstone of the program is the student's research dissertation. Each dissertation is expected to be a significant scientific contribution based on independent and original research, leading to publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals.
All students are required to complete a series of core courses related to the interdisciplinary nature of the program (see Degree Requirements). The full interdisciplinary curriculum is tailored to each student with advanced courses in Biological Sciences as well as Bioinformatics and Genomics, Nanoscale Science, Chemistry, Biophysics, Engineering, Geography and Earth Sciences, Kinesiology, Epidemiology, and Health Sciences. The interdisciplinary program allows students to choose a mentor from a large cohort of Professors across departments and Carolinas Medical Centers. Students choose either the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCD) concentration or the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology (E3B) concentration.
The cornerstone of the doctoral program is the dissertation research. Each dissertation is expected to be a significant scientific contribution based on independent and original research, resulting in at least two publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals by the time of the dissertation defense.

Applicants will be evaluated in a holistic manner to identify those who have the greatest potential for success. In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, to begin study toward the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Biology, students admitted to the program should have:

A B.S. or B.A. degree from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body.
An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in biology, 3.0 in chemistry, and 3.0 in mathematics.
A minimum of 24 hours in biology, including at least one course in genetics, physiology, and cell/molecular biology. Additionally, applicants should have one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Applicants with academic deficiencies may be admitted on the condition that any deficiencies are corrected during the first year of graduate study. The Graduate Ph.D. Committee will determine the remediation necessary for identified deficiencies.
The Graduate School requires a score of at least 83 on the Internet-based, 220 on the computer-based, or 557 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS, for applicants whose native language is not English. The Department of Biological Sciences prefers a TOEFL score of at least 100.
Three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from faculty members.