University of California, Riverside campus

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PhD Biophysics at University of California, Riverside

University of California, Riverside, United States

Programme overview

Interdepartmental graduate program in Biophysics at UC Riverside with more than 30 participating faculty from seven departments across three colleges. Research areas include biological electron transfer, biological imaging, computational modeling, macromolecular structure determination, neurobiophysics and protein engineering, and spectroscopic methods.

Faculty: College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences  |  Department: Biophysics Graduate Program (interdepartmental)  |  Duration: 15 quarters (normative time to degree)  |  Intake: Application deadline January 5  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Riverside, CA, United States

What you will study

36 units of 100 or 200 series courses (at least 24 in the 200 series), core courses BCH 184, BCH 210 and PHYS 246 in the first year, laboratory research rotations (BPHY 297), BPHY 252 seminar each quarter, a written comprehensive exam, a written NSF/NIH-style research proposal with oral qualifying exam, a dissertation and final defense. Students complete at least 2 quarters as a teaching assistant.

Career pathways

Institutions of higher learning and federal, state and private research organizations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Three letters of recommendation (two from faculty). The general GRE is not required. Graduate Division (university-wide): bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized international equivalent; minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (some programs set a higher standard); transcripts, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation; English proficiency (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic 7 with no component below 6) unless the prior degree was taught in English; GRE/GMAT only where the program requires it (many no longer do). Source: graduate.ucr.edu/admission-requirements.

UC Riverside operates a quarter system. Summer begins mid-June, Fall late September, Winter early January and Spring late March/early April. Most graduate programmes admit and begin in the Fall quarter only.

New domestic applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter November 1, Spring February 1, Summer May 1. New international applicants: Fall January 5 (fellowship consideration) / June 1 (admission only), Winter September 1, Spring December 1, Summer March 1. Some programmes set earlier priority or fellowship deadlines.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucr.edu/apply/

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