Lexington,
KY,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
PhD in Biology in Lexington United States | University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
|
Lexington United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
33,548
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
48 months
The Biology Graduate Program equips students with the skills needed for diverse professional careers, spanning academia, industry, government roles, or further education. This is accomplished through structured coursework, hands-on research, and initiatives that enhance scientific communication. Training varies by degree track—students can pursue a Ph.D., a research-based (thesis) Master's, or a coursework-focused (non-thesis) Master's. Each program adheres to requirements set by both the University of Kentucky Graduate School and the Biology Graduate Program.
The Ph.D., the flagship degree in Biology, prepares graduates to work as independent scholars in the life sciences, capable of conducting original research and teaching. The program prioritizes student development, admitting applicants based on their scientific and educational potential. Ph.D. students start research in their first year under faculty supervision, balancing traditional coursework with seminars during the initial four semesters. Between the second and third year, students complete written and oral qualifying exams. After passing, research becomes their central focus. Upon producing substantial original work, candidates draft a dissertation and defend it publicly before a faculty committee.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification 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.
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:
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.
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/training-programs-1). 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 admission to this program. For the Graduate School, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5
An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work is required by the Graduate School.
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.
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:
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.
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/training-programs-1). 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 admission to this program. For the Graduate School, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 (paper-based) 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5
An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work is required by the Graduate School.
Tuition
USD
33,548