Admission Requirements
Admission to the Graduate Program
Prerequisites
The applicant to the Doctoral Degree Study Program in Cell Biology and Anatomy should have a bachelor's degree, with an emphasis on laboratory science, including mathematics through calculus, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, introductory physics, and general biology.
Additional courses in advanced biology, advanced chemistry, molecular biology, genetics and statistics are recommended. Because we fully expect that students applying to the graduate program in Cell Biology and Anatomy will come from a variety of backgrounds, the Graduate Studies Committee may recommend that gaps in undergraduate requirements be satisfied during the first year.
Application
You can fill out an online application or have a copy emailed to you by making a request via e-mail to apallett [at] email [dot] arizona [dot] edu or via fax to 520-626-2097.
The faculty also encourage correspondence via e-mail for those with specific interests or questions.
The Departmental application asks for a separate essay stating the candidate's statement of purpose and career goals; three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic qualifications and personal qualities; and scores from the General Test of Graduate Record Examination.
Scores from a specialized GRE test (in Biology or Chemistry, for example) are helpful but not required. All of these materials should be sent directly to The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy.
Note: The Graduate College domicile verification for Arizona residents, and, for foreign students, a financial guarantee (please see below under Foreign Students), should be returned to the departmental application to the address above, not the Graduate College as noted on the forms. At the current time, these forms are only required prior to registration and are NOT required for consideration for admission by the department.
Foreign Students
We encourage foreign students to apply to The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. Both the University and the United States Government have additional requirements for foreign students that should be noted. We also require the submission of TOEFL scores. These should be sent to the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy. In addition, the United States Justice Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service requires foreign students to have proof of financial support during study in the United States. Because The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy typically will support all students, the financial guarantee section of the foreign student application need not be completed until the student is admitted into the program.
Support
Incoming students should expect to receive a stipend from the Department during the first year, or until a dissertation advisor has been chosen. After this time, the dissertation advisor will provide a stipend for the remainder of the graduate career, assuming satisfactory progress toward a dissertation. Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for support from private and national fellowship programs