PhD Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University

Programme overview

The PhD in Biological Sciences is a dissertation degree centred on a novel research project and requires a first-author publication in press before the final exam.

Duration: 15 credit hours of coursework plus dissertation research | Study mode: full-time | Location: Baton Rouge, LA, United States

What you will study

At least 15 hours at the 7000 level or above, a minimum of nine dissertation research hours and a seven-hour seminar core (BASC 7000, BIOL 7921 and topical seminars). Students pass a first-year qualifying exam and a general exam (written and oral) by the end of year three, and must teach in the undergraduate programme for at least one semester.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

LSU Graduate School (all graduate programmes): a conferred bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution by the expected entry date, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the undergraduate degree (or the last 60 credit hours) and in any graduate coursework attempted; curriculum vitae or resume; transcripts (unofficial accepted for review, official required to maintain enrolment). Programmes set additional requirements such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement and writing sample. International applicants whose education was not in English must submit TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, PTE 59, Duolingo 110 or Michigan English Test 53, plus degree certificates; a non-US degree must be equivalent to a US bachelor's degree. University deadlines: domestic fall July 1, spring November 15, summer May 1; international fall May 1, spring October 1, summer February 1 (programmes may set earlier deadlines).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

International applicants complete the online application and pay a $50 non-refundable application fee online by credit card or by check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank. Official transcripts and TOEFL or IELTS scores (TOEFL code 6373) are required, and documents should arrive at least 120 days before the semester starts.

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