University of Kentucky campus

Engineering

PhD Biology at University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky, United States

Programme overview

The PhD is the main graduate degree in Biology, training students to become independent scholars in the life sciences who carry out original research and educate others. New students begin research immediately in their first year under an advisor.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences  |  Department: Biology  |  Intake: Fall  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Lexington, KY, United States

What you will study

Coursework blends classes with seminars and is typically done in the first 4 semesters; a written and oral qualifying exam occurs in the 5th or 6th semester, after which research is the main focus, culminating in a dissertation defended publicly before a faculty committee.

Career pathways

Academic positions, industry, government, or further schooling; research scientists, professors, conservation and biotechnology specialists.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme-specific requirements: CV Please submit a standard professional CV with contact information and educational and employment histories. In addition, please provide the following information as applicable: a list of coursework or scientific training that does not appear on your transcript, but will be completed before entering the UK graduate program a list of academic honors a list of scientific publications or presentations other experiences or responsibilities in science-related activities, such as outreach or volunteer work. Personal Statement Please provide a statement that addresses the following points, with separate subheadings for each question. How much space you devote to each subsection is up to you, but the total length should not exceed ~2-3 single-spaced pages. Personal statements should be original work of the applicant and written without the assistance of AI. Statements may be tested for plagiarism and AI usage. Describe your motivation for pursuing a M.S. or PhD in biology. What are your career goals and how will a graduate education in Biology at the University of Kentucky help you achieve these goals? Describe how your experiences up to this point have prepared you to engage in graduate research. This can include prior research experiences, but also any other relevant experiences that have helped you develop as a scientist (e.g., internships, volunteer work, a particular course, etc.). Given these strengths, what areas do you feel you need to improve during your graduate training? Graduate School requirements apply (not programme-specific): see the Graduate School admission requirements.

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 applicants apply online through The Graduate School application system; deadlines and supplemental materials are set by each programme page. Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75, minimum graduate GPA 3.0, and 2.5 for graduate certificate applicants (programmes may require more).

Apply through the official page: https://academics.uky.edu/apply

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