PhD Biological Sciences in Public Health at Harvard University

Programme overview

The PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health focuses on biological research into preventing and treating diseases affecting large populations, with laboratory approaches in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular, genetic and computational science at the Harvard Longwood Campus. Students are enrolled in Harvard Griffin GSAS while working mainly with Chan School of Public Health faculty.

Faculty: Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Biological Sciences in Public Health (Harvard Integrated Life Sciences) | Intake: July (programme begins in July each year) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

Students choose among three areas: metabolic basis of health and disease, immunology and infectious diseases, and environmental health.

Career pathways

Graduates have gone into academia at Harvard Medical School, Penn and Dartmouth, and into industry at McKinsey & Company, Pfizer and Novartis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme: statement of purpose describing research experience, interests, motivation, matching faculty and career aspirations is a key component; a personal statement is required; publications are listed with PubMed IDs. GRE General: not accepted. English: TOEFL iBT minimum 5 (100 for tests before January 21, 2026) with Speaking minimum 4.5 (23 earlier), or IELTS minimum 7 with Speaking minimum 6.5. Three letters of recommendation are required (at least one from a faculty member at the school of the most recent degree unless out of school for more than five years). Application deadline December 1, 2026 (5:00 p.m.).

USD 59,048 a year (2026-27). Harvard Griffin GSAS full tuition for PhD students, required for the first two years of study, 2026-27; reduced tuition is $15,352 in years three and four and the continuation fee is $3,906 after year four; PhD students may receive grants covering tuition Source

Intake: July (programme begins in July each year)

Explore more study programmes

Health Sciences