Biology

The Ph.D. program is organized to fit the goals of each degree candidate. A Principal Adviser along with four additional members of the students Ph.D. advisory committee works with the student to craft a program for each candidate to suit the individual’s long-term career objectives.

The graduate faculty in biology offer dissertation mentoring in a variety of areas of expertise including molecular biology, bioinformatics, immunology, genetics, cell biology, cancer biology, cell and tissue engineering, conservation, developmental biology, entomology, ecosystem ecology, evolutionary biology, forest ecology, herpetology, global change biology, machine learning, microbiology, neuroscience and wildlife ecology.

Our program emphasizes scientific knowledge and theory partnered with hands-on experience in the laboratory and in the field. Our students enjoy individualized attention from our faculty and are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research opportunities with them.

The program is 60 credit hours if you already have a M.S., and 90 credit hours if you come straight from a B.S.

Visit the Catalog to view additional details about the biology Ph.D. program, including degree requirements and course descriptions.

Applicants to the biology program should submit the following information in addition to the online application. Prior to beginning the application, the PhD applicant must identify a Biology graduate faculty mentor and contact them to gain their support. GRE scores are not required.

1. Official academic records of all previously attended colleges or universities must be submitted directly from the colleges or universities to the Office of Graduate Admission Processing. Hand-carried transcripts, official copies marked Issued to Student, and unofficial copies are not acceptable.
2. Three letters of recommendation. Two of these are from former or current professors or employers and one must be from a University of Dayton, Department of Biology faculty mentor. For the course-based program this will most often be the Graduate Program Director. For the Thesis-based program, this will be from the future mentor in the program who will communicate their support for your application.
3. A resume or curriculum vitae.
4. A personal statement addressing previous experience, specific areas of interest, professional goals and objectives after earning a graduate degree.

Additional requirements apply for international students. The Department of Biology requires a minimum TOEFL score of 95.

Academic Requirements

All applicants to our program should have a bachelor's degree in biology or a substantially equivalent degree with coursework indicating substantive training in the biological sciences. We prefer students to have coursework including:

• Two years of chemistry, including organic
• One year of math, including calculus
• One semester of physics
• One semester of genetics

While there are no specific coursework requirements for admission, the admission committee, in consultation with student's graduate adviser, and the Chair of the Department of Biology may recommend additional training to be completed as a condition of admission.

Applicants should have earned a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average based on a 4.0 scale.

Additional Information

Deadlines for admission and graduate assistantship consideration: April 30 for admission to the subsequent fall semester and Sept. 30 for admission to subsequent spring semester. Students are admitted to the biology program during the fall or spring term and must be full-time students. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available at the master's degree level.

• Physician Assistant Practice (M.P.A.P.)
• Biology (Ph.D.)
• Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (Graduate Certificate)
• Sustainability (Graduate Certificate)

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success.

Financial aid may be available for degree-seeking graduate students, file the FAFSA to be considered. Once you have applied and been accepted to a graduate program, we will prepare your applicable aid for the upcoming year.