How to apply?

Biological Sciences

How to apply?

In the following sections, you will find all the information you need to apply to the graduate programs in Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware. For an overview of the general admission requirements, please view the Overview of Admission Requirements. The specific requirements for each program can be found in the Application details for each degree program. Finally, the Application FAQs have useful information on our programs and the application process.

Graduate admission criteria of the Department include a recommended minimum scholastic index (grade point average on a 4.0 point scale) of 3.0 overall and 3.0 in the sciences. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing) is NOT required.

Admission to the graduate program in Biological Sciences requires demonstrated academic excellence and the following (or the equivalent): two years of biological sciences; one semester of mathematics, preferably to include calculus and/or statistics; one year of college physics; one year of inorganic (general) chemistry; and one course in organic chemistry. Any deficiency in undergraduate training must be made up (without graduate credit) during the first year of graduate study. Further, nearly all successful applicants have prior, substantive research experience which is well documented in the application.

Foreign National Applicants

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, or 100 or higher on the TOEFL iBT in accordance with University of Delaware regulations for graduate assistantship eligibility. Applications from non-U.S. citizens who do not have a degree from a U.S. institution will be rejected without further review if these minima are not met. Students who need further training in English prior to attending graduate school may apply for admission through the University of Delaware English Language Institute's Conditional Admission Program.

TOEFL scores are not required of international applicants who have completed a college degree in the U.S. Foreign applicants also are strongly encouraged to complete the Test of Spoken English (TSE) with a score of 45 or higher: international students are given a test very similar to the TSE when they arrive on campus and a passing score is required in order to qualify for financial aid. Previous training or residence in the U.S. does not exempt foreign nationals from these requirements. Requests for a waiver of the language test requirements (for example, for students from English-speaking countries outside of the U.S.) must be approved by the University of Delaware Graduate College. Admission to the graduate program in Biological Sciences is competitive. Those who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Details for Each Degree Program

Applications normally are considered only for fall or spring entrance. For optimal consideration for Spring admission, all application materials should be completed by October 1, although applications will be considered until December 1st if there are remaining positions in the program. For optimal consideration for Fall admission, all application materials should be completed by January 15, although applications will be considered until July 1st if there are remaining positions in the program. Foreign nationals are encouraged to apply by the full consideration deadlines to give sufficient time to obtain the necessary visas for graduate study in the USA.

What scientific research experience have you had?
What are your research interests and long-term professional objectives?
What specific attributes of our Department make you feel that it would be a good place for you?
Are there any special circumstances related to your academic record that you feel we should know about?

Applications normally are considered only for fall entrance, but applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may request permission to enroll during the spring or summer semester. Application materials must be completed by October 1 in order to be considered for spring admission. International applicants are considered only for fall admission. Complete applications received by January 15 have optimal consideration for fall admission and financial aid; April 15 is the final Departmental deadline. In exceptional circumstances, late applications from U.S. citizens will be considered until July 1.

Application to MS program in Biological Sciences:

The Department of Biological Sciences is unable to accept PSM students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

What scientific research experience have you had?
What are your research interests and long-term professional objectives?
What specific attributes of our Department make you feel that it would be a good place for you?
Are there any special circumstances related to your academic record that you feel we should know about?

Application to Professional Science Master’s program in Biotechnology

Application must be made electronically to the University's Office of Graduate & Professional Education. It must include three letters of recommendation (sent directly to the University of Delaware Office of Graduate & Professional Education) from persons able to judge the applicant's ability to pursue graduate study. GREs are required of PSM applicants but are not needed for the Certificate program. Applications to the PSM or Certificate in Biotechnology programs also must include a resume or CV outlining work and/or academic experience in the field of biotechnology and a personal statement that addresses the following questions:

What scientific research/employment experience have you had? Please be specific about the field of work and job responsibilities
What are your long-term professional objectives?
What specific attributes of our Department and the PSM in Biotechnology make you feel that this degree is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives?
Are there any special circumstances related to your academic record that you feel we should know about?

Application to Certificate in Biotechnology

What scientific research/employment experience have you had? Please be specific about the field of work and job responsibilities
What are your long-term professional objectives?
What specific attributes of our Department and the PSM in Biotechnology make you feel that this degree is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives?
Are there any special circumstances related to your academic record that you feel we should know about?

How do I apply? Electronic application must be made through the University of Delaware's Office of Graduate & Professional Education.
Are application fee waivers available? The DBI GradWav provides fee waivers to encourage domestic applicants (U.S. Citizen and Permanent Residents) from diverse backgrounds to apply to graduate programs in life sciences and related STEM disciplines.
Must I have prior research experience to be admitted? Over 95% of admitted MS and Ph.D. applicants have prior, substantive research experience. This must be well documented in the application.
What if I don’t know which laboratory in which to conduct my research? Graduate students typically are not admitted directly into research mentor laboratories. MS students usually chose their research mentor at the beginning of their first semester in the program. Ph.D. students perform 2-3 laboratory rotations during the first year in the program and choose their mentor from these rotation experiences.
When is the application deadline? Our priority deadline is January 15th of each academic year. Applications that come in after this deadline will be considered if additional space is available. Applications for international students will not be considered if received after April 1st and domestic applicants will not be considered if received after June 1st.
How large is the Biological Sciences graduate program? As of fall 2024, there are over 100 students enrolled in our MS & PhD graduate programs, all of which receive tuition scholarships and a stipend.
Are GREs required? The Department is waiving the GRE requirement for our graduate program. You do not need to take or share a GRE score to apply. If you wish to apply without a GRE score, please enter a future GRE exam date into the application when prompted. This need not be an actual exam date. Entering any future date will allow your application to be sent on to our review committee where it will receive full consideration.
How long will it likely take me to complete the MS? The median time to degree for a typical Master of Science Student is 2 years. Individual completion length varies by progress in coursework and research.
How long will it likely take me to complete the PhD? The median time to degree for a typical PhD student is 5.5 years. Individual completion length varies by progress in coursework and research.
How are previous students employed after degree completion? Our previous graduates are employed in pharma industry, biotechnology, academic, and government sectors in a variety of positions such as Senior Scientist, Product manager, Faculty, and Medical writer positions.