PhD Biomedical Sciences (GEMS) at University of Illinois Chicago

Programme overview

GEMS is the PhD-granting programme of the UIC College of Medicine, with more than 120 faculty and over 350 students trained since 2004. It offers six research concentrations: Cancer Biology; Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine; Integrative and Translational Physiology; Microbiology, Immunity and Inflammation; Molecular Biology and Genetics; and Neurobiology.

Faculty: College of Medicine | Department: Graduate Education in Medical Sciences (GEMS), College of Medicine | Duration: 96 semester hours minimum from the baccalaureate | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chicago, IL, United States

What you will study

Required: GEMS 504 and 505, research rotations (8 hours), GEMS 521 and 522 (6 hours each), a 5-7 hour concentration core, at least 3 hours of electives, 6 hours of seminar and at least 52 hours of dissertation research. A second-year preliminary exam includes a research proposal in NIH F31 format and an oral defence.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

No specific major required, but a satisfactory record in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, and at least one year each of physics and mathematics. GPA at least 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (above 3.00 preferred). GRE not required. Three letters of recommendation and a personal statement. International applicants: TOEFL iBT 80 (before 1/21/2026) or 4.5 overall (on or after); IELTS, PTE and Duolingo also accepted.

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.

Graduate and professional programmes admit for Fall, Spring and Summer terms depending on the programme; applications for Fall 2027, Spring 2028 and Summer 2028 are expected to open on August 1, 2026.

Graduate and professional application deadlines are set per programme, with separate deadlines for domestic and international applicants for most non-online programmes; optional earlier priority, recommended or fellowship dates apply to both.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.uic.edu/admissions/

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