PhD Biological and Biomedical Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP) at UNC Chapel Hill is an umbrella application and first-year training program for bioscience Ph.D. students. With just 1 application BBSP students have access to over 350 research faculty affiliated with 15 different Ph.D. programs across UNC’s campus. BBSP provides individualized advising, a community, and professional skills training during the first year to establish a solid foundation of skills. The Ph.D. programs selected by BBSP students at the end of their first year provide comprehensive scientific training at the highest level.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Core courses include BBSP 901 Research in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Fall and Spring); BBSP 902 Seminar in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Fall and Spring); BBSP 903A Research in Biological and Biomedical Sciences - Part l (Fall); BBSP 903B Research in Biological and Biomedical Sciences - Part II (Spring); BBSP 705 Best Practices for Rigor and Reproducibility in Research (Spring).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: A bachelor's degree (B.S. or B.A.) is required for admission into BBSP.

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 for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

Explore more study programmes

STEM