Drexel University's Doctorate (PhD) in Biological Sciences is for students who intend to pursue leadership roles in academia, government, or industry sectors. To take on these roles, students must have an elevated understanding of subjects related to their biological sciences specialty. During the first year of study, Drexel's core curriculum provides a solid foundation in the advanced concepts of relevant disciplines. In addition, graduate coursework and research methods engage students in the critical reading and writing skills required for the PhD candidacy examination.

Concentrations

Program Format

• Full time program.
• Credit hours: 90 post-bachelor's or 45 post-master's.

Program Deadlines

The deadlines below are the dates by which applications must be submitted and all application requirements received.

• Fall (Domestic/International) - December 1
• No Spring or Summer Intake

---

---

Quicklinks

---

Program Overview

Mileposts in Drexel's PhD in Biological Sciences program include:

Rotations: In-coming first year PhD students who were not directly recruited into a faculty member’s lab will undertake three lab rotations prior to selecting their PhD adviser. Rotating students will be required to do three rotations, based on the availability of research labs and the student’s scientific interests. Each rotation must occur in a separate laboratory.

Pre-candidacy research performance: Prior to their PhD candidacy exam, first and second year graduate students are expected to meet quarterly with their research advisers to discuss their overall research performance and goals. PhD students and their advisers are expected to complete a research performance evaluation form (below) at the end of each term.

Dissertation Adviser: Students should identify a dissertation advisor by the end of the spring quarter of the first-year.

Committee: The Dissertation Research Committee should be constituted during the second year.

Coursework: Required coursework must be completed within the first two years of study.

Candidacy Exam: The Candidacy examination must be successfully completed by the end of the summer quarter of the second-year.

Dissertation: It is anticipated that each PhD student will complete their dissertation defense within five years. Drexel University requires that the dissertation be finished within seven years.

Teaching Fellow Policy

The College of Arts and Sciences regards training in pedagogy and instruction to be core to the mission of doctoral education. All PhD students in the College are required to perform significant teaching duties, defined over multiple terms, during their pursuit of their degree. These activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Supervising teaching labs
• Running course recitations
• Teaching as the primary instructor
• Running student seminars
• Training junior researchers in core research methods
• Running or actively participating in pedagogical seminars or conferences

Alternate fulfillment of this requirement is at the discretion of the doctoral program director and the Biology Department head.

Research Areas

Our Biology Department faculty researchers are passionately involved in teaching and conducting research in cellular and molecular biology, ecology and environmental science, organismal physiology and development, and microbial pathogenesis and immunology. Faculty and student driven research within the Department of Biology falls under the following general areas: genes and proteins; cells; organisms; and ecology and ecosystems.

Research Areas

Recent Faculty Publications

Biology Student Organizations

The Biology and BEES Graduate Student Association (BGSA) provides an engaged and exciting forum for information exchange between graduate students, faculty and the administration. As one of the most active graduate student associations on campus, the BGSA’s mission is to elevate the academic experience of biology graduate students by maintaining an active social environment among existing, new and prospective graduate students.

Learn about biology student organizations

Recent Dissertations

Biological Sciences PhD students complete dissertations on a wide range of topics. We proudly invite prospective students to review recent dissertations.

Recent Dissertations

Drexel Library: Theses, Dissertations and Projects