Admission Deadlines:

Deadline for applications is January 15 for the Fall semester and July 1 for the Spring semester. For full consideration for financial assistance, applications must be received by the scheduled deadline for each semester.  Please note that the majority of admissions are made for the Fall semester; Spring admissions are normally restricted to exceptional candidates.

Applicants will be evaluated in a holistic manner to identify those who have the greatest potential for success. Under most circumstances, students admitted to the program will have:

• a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university.
• an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Additionally, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in biology, 3.0 in chemistry and 3.0 in mathematics.
• a score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test in at least the 65th percentile (average for the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections). The GRE may be waived for applicants with a M.D. from a U.S. institution.
• a minimum of 24 hours in biology, which must include at least one course in each of the areas of genetics, physiology, and cell/molecular biology. Additionally, applicants should have one year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics (and at least one semester each of calculus and statistics). Applicants with academic deficiencies may be admitted on the condition that any deficiencies are corrected during the first year of graduate study. The Biology Graduate Committee will determine the remediation necessary for identified deficiencies.
• given the interdisciplinary nature of this program, undergraduate and master’s students in bioscience-related fields including but not limited to biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering, biophysics, civil engineering, and kinesiology are encouraged to apply. The Biology Graduate Committee will consider biology-related courses as potentially fulfilling the biology entrance course requirements.
• The Graduate School requires a score of at least 83 on the Internet-based, 220 on the computer-based, or 557 on the paper based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS, for applicants whose native language is not English. The Department of Biology prefers a TOELF score of at least 100.  Students who do not pass this examination must pass ENGL 1100 (English as a Foreign Language) with a grade of C or higher. In addition, these students who will be involved in any instructional activity (e.g., teaching assistants) will be required to be evaluated by the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte prior to the beginning of the first semester of study.

Documents to be Submitted to the UNC Charlotte Graduate School for admission consideration:

• official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• official GRE scores (verbal, quantitative and analytical)
• the UNC Charlotte application for graduate admission form
• (Note: international students must submit the application for graduate admission available through the International Admissions Office).
• TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• an essay (double space; limit to 2 pages) which addresses: (a) why the applicant wishes to pursue a Ph.D. and why the Ph.D. is desired in this specific interdisciplinary program, and (b) the area of research interest of the applicant.
• three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from faculty members.

NOTE: Students currently admitted to a Master's program at UNC Charlotte who wish to apply for admission to the Ph.D. program can do so only after completion of their first year in the Master's program. A Master's student would be allowed to apply for consideration for acceptance into the Ph.D. program no earlier than the second semester of their enrollment. When applying they need only update their materials submitted with the Master's application.

Admission Procedures:

• UNC Charlotte uses the "Apply Yourself" online application system so that the application process can be as easy and efficient as possible. The application must be completed online and submitted electronically once all required fields on the application have been completed.

Application materials and instructions are available on-line: http://graduateschool.uncc.edu/component/content/article/42-forms/50-admissions-forms.html

• If the Graduate School determines that the applicant meets the general requirements for admission, the application is forwarded to the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Biology.
  
  Note: Applications cannot be forwarded to the Coordinator until all supporting documentation has been received by the Graduate School.

• The Graduate Coordinator in consultation with the Biology Graduate Committee will determine if the applicant meets the admission requirements for the Ph.D. program. If not, admission is denied and the application is returned to the Graduate School. If the admission requirements are met, the Graduate Coordinator may contact the student to arrange a visit to campus or a phone interview.
• Once the interview process is completed, the Graduate Coordinator in consultation with the Biology Graduate Committee will recommend the applicant for admission into the program and forward the recommendation to the Graduate School.
• The applicant will receive final notification of acceptance from the Graduate School.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided for persons with disabilities.