PhD Biological Sciences - Biology, Ecology and Evolution

The University of Denver's PhD in biological sciences offers students the opportunity for graduate training in either cell and molecular biology or ecology, biodiversity and evolution. Areas of focus within cell and molecular miology include biophysics, intracellular trafficking and signaling, molecular forensics, RNA biology, virus-host cell interaction, developmental biology, neuroscience and endocrinology. Within ecology, biodiversity and evolution, areas of focus consist of plant-insect interaction, ecology of invasive species, forest ecology and evolutionary biology, including evolutionary ecology, evolution of animal behavior and evolutionary-developmental biology. Requiring five years of research and coursework, including a public seminar, written thesis and oral thesis defense, the program couples coursework with original research and teaching opportunities. When conducting their original research, students can leverage state-of-the-art facilities and techniques. Our PhD students also have the chance to teach in undergraduate lab environments.

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution. University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria: A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree. A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.