Doctoral Degree in Biology
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
The doctoral degree in biology is perfect for students driven to conduct in-depth research on living organisms and ecological systems, aiming to expand scientific knowledge in areas such as genetics, ecology, or cellular biology. This program prepares graduates for careers as research scientists, university professors, or specialists in environmental conservation and biotechnology industries.
Program Overview
The Ph.D. is the main graduate degree program in Biology. It provides the training necessary for a student to become an independent professional scholar in the life sciences with the skills to carry out their own original research and to educate others. Student growth is an emphasis of the program. Offers to enter the Ph.D. program are based on the applicant's potential as a scientist and educator. New students are expected to begin doing research immediately in their first year, under the guidance of an advisor. Coursework blends regular classes with seminars and is typically performed during the first 4 semesters. A written and oral qualifying exam occurs during the 5th or 6th semester of the program. Following a successful qualifying exam, research becomes the primary focus of a student's time. Once a significant body of original research has been achieved, a Ph.D. candidate writes a dissertation and defends it before a public audience and a committee of faculty members. More details on the program can be found at https://bio.as.uky.edu/graduate-program. Details about potential research advisors can be found at https://biograd.as.uky.edu/.
Related Careers
Students in the Biology Graduate Program are trained to become practicing professionals in a wide array of possible career paths, including academic positions, industry, government, or are prepared to take on additional schooling.
Admission Requirements
Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.
Application Requirements
Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.
Program 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.
- Please submit a standard professional CV with contact information and educational and employment histories. In addition, please provide the following information as applicable:
- 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?
- Describe your research interests. What biological questions most interest you and what types of approaches could you use to answer them? What UK Biology research faculty are of interest to you and why?
- Optional: Describe any special circumstances that are relevant to how you handle academic, professional, or personal challenges.
- 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.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Prior to submitting this application, please review the Biology Department website for information about the Biology Graduate Program. It is important to review the research programs of our faculty for compatibility with your own interests and to consider the graduate training options offered (see, https://bio.as.uky.edu/graduate-degree-programs). For those interested in the research degrees, we recommend you contact individual faculty members of interest as part of the application process.
The GRE is NOT required for program admission.
Apply by Dec. 15 for priority consideration.
Application Deadlines
Domestic Students
-
Fall
- 07/25/2025
International Students
-
Fall
- 04/15/2025
FIND OUT EXACTLY
What You'll Learn
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Explore Funding Options
As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!
Program Specific Funding Opportunities
PhD students are supported on fellowship, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship. We do not accept a student into the program without also offering some type of support. Generally, support lasts up to 5 years, and often students can get additional support after that time depending on their situation. Such support is conditional on a student making progress toward their degree. All financial packages comes with a stipend, tuition scholarship, and student health insurance.
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Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
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