PhD Cell Biology and Physiology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The UNC at Chapel Hill Cell Biology and Physiology (CBP) Curriculum is an integrative, multidisciplinary predoctoral training program that uses a systems approach to provide comprehensive, biomedical graduate education to our trainees. Our students will formulate sophisticated strategies for analysis of contemporary biomedical problems with a strong emphasis on career development, including oral and written presentation skills, and mentoring students in a way that enables them to explore diverse job opportunities available to them in the post-graduate biomedical workforce. Elective course(s) not on the list below must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Faculty: School of Medicine | Department: Cell Biology and Physiology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Students must take a minimum of 3 credit hours for this requirement.3 Core courses include CBPH 852 Cell Biology and Physiology in Health and Disease I; CBPH 853 Cell Biology and Physiology in Health and Disease II; CBPH 705 Improving Presentation & Communication of Scientific Results; CBPH 706 Communicating Scientific Results; BBSP 710 Biostatistics for Laboratory Scientists; BCB 720 Introduction to Statistical Modeling.

Career pathways

Our students will formulate sophisticated strategies for analysis of contemporary biomedical problems with a strong emphasis on career development, including oral and written presentation skills, and mentoring students in a way that enables them to explore diverse job opportunities available to them in the post-graduate biomedical workforce. Briefly, the application should include transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining career goals.

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: Admission to the graduate Ph.D. program curriculum is via the unified Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP) at UNC–Chapel Hill. Briefly, the application should include transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining career goals.

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