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Ph.D. Program

The philosophy of the PhD program, along with the Affiliated Ph.D. Program with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, is to provide world-class research training in the basic biological sciences to equip a diverse group of trainees for a variety of scientific careers ranging from academia and industry to education, communication, or policy. Core principles of the program are to be student centered and attuned to the goals of the trainee.

The core curriculum focuses on development of core competencies and transferable skills in critical thinking, communication, and leadership. The first year prepares students for the core of the PhD program, the development of intellectual independence and creativity through original thesis research, guided by a thesis advisor and committee. Students have a high degree of flexibility in choice of thesis advisor through the rotation program. Throughout the program, there is strong emphasis on engaged mentoring through regular committee meetings, annual reports and Individual Development Plans.

As a central hub of the thriving San Diego biosciences community, the program maintains strong partnerships with other campus units and programs through joint faculty appointments, organized research units, and research collaborations, enabling a wide range of interdisciplinary opportunities . The mission is to conduct leading edge research in the basic biological sciences. Major areas of emphasis currently include structural biology, cell biology, developmental biology, neurobiology, immunology, microbiology, virology, plant biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Research in the School has emphasized studies using model organisms or in vitro mechanistic approaches, with human studies and clinical research concentrated in other departments or in the Health Sciences. Current and future areas of growth include quantitative biology, data science, and the biological consequences of climate change.

Rigor, reproducibility, and responsibility as hallmarks of high-quality science
Commitment to quality mentorships, student mental health, and well-being
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as integral to program admissions and retention
Open science practices valuing multiple research outputs and holistic assessment of scholarly excellence
Communication and outreach as key aspects of scientific training

As a doctoral program embedded in a large undergraduate instructional unit, our approach incorporates substantial training in teaching methodology and best practices. Our philosophy remains that teaching and research are interdependent facets of engaged scholarship.

Curricular Requirements
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Joint Doctoral Program (SDSU)

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Salk Institute
Graduate Student Handbook

Ph.D. Program

The training for a Ph.D. in Biology is focused on helping students achieve their goals of being a successful research scientist and teacher, at the highest level. Students work closely with an established advisor and meet regularly with a committee of faculty members to facilitate their progress. The Biology Ph.D. program is part of the larger Biosciences community at Stanford, which includes doctorate programs in the basic science departments at Stanford Medical School.

There are two tracks within the Biology Ph.D. program:

Cell, Molecular and Organismal Biology
Ecology and Evolution

(Previously a part of the Department of Biology Hopkins Marine Station is now a part of the Oceans Department within Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability )

All tracks are focused on excellence in research and teaching in their respective areas; where there are differences between the tracks, they are indicated in the links below.

Requirements & Forms

Dissertation defense, cellular and molecular biology training program, stanford biology ph.d. preview program, career development resources.

UC Irvine Home Page

Doctoral Programs

Departmental doctoral programs.

The School of Biological Sciences offers graduate training in a collaborative environment with several schools and graduate programs. This provides excellent research training and professional development for graduate students pursuing the doctorate. Training opportunities include broad areas of Biological, Biomedical and Environmental Sciences including Neuroscience, Immunology and Pathogenesis, Cancer Biology, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Systems and Computational Biology, Genomics, Structural Biology, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology.

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers direct admission to the PhD program. However, the other BioSci departments offer admission through a gateway disciplinary program such as CMB or INP.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is home to 38 faculty and about 60 doctoral students. Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology uses a range of methodologies spanning field studies, experimental approaches, and computational approaches. Students and faculty have easy access to field sites that include marine, desert, and California chaparral communities. The faculty have diverse interests including evolutionary biology, population genetics, genomics, behavioral ecology, physiology, and global change biology. Faculty in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology have extensive collaborations with scientists in neuroscience, molecular biology, genomics and microbiomes, global climate biology, systems biology, mathematics, as well as with faculty at other institutions.

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers admission directly to a departmental graduate program with full financial support. Students initiate research with a faculty thesis advisor while they take required coursework and complete other degree requirements. Departmental programs offer an excellent opportunity for students that have decided to work in a specific area or with an individual faculty supervisor

University of California, Irvine Student Learning Outcomes for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD

School of Biological Sciences PLOs

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology M.S./Ph.D.

PLO1: Core Knowledge

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the biological sciences
Understand the current concepts in ecology, evolutionary biology, and organismal physiology
Demonstrate knowledge of a specialized discipline within ecology and evolutionary biology sufficiently to carry out substantive independent research

PLO2: Research Methods and Analysis

Read and critically evaluate the scientific literature
Formulate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field
Design, conduct, and interpret their independent research projects
Understand the range of tools appropriate for research in their sub-field
Understand and follow research ethics

PLO3: Pedagogy:

Communicate effectively to large and small groups in pedagogical settings including teaching, research seminars, and other formats
Identify and effectively deploy suitable technologies for use in all aspects of instruction

PLO4: Scholarly Communication:

Review and discuss relevant literature and their significance
Publish research results in peer-reviewed publications and in a dissertation
Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues
Make clear and cogent oral presentations, including effective use of technology

PLO5: Professionalism

Write compelling abstracts describing their research for consideration at research conferences
Prepare oral presentations suitable for presentation at a research conference
Make effective contributions to research teams and learning seminars
Make effective contributions to department, university, community, and professional service
Mentor junior researchers (e.g., undergraduates, beginning graduate students)

PLO6: Independent Research

Develop their own research projects that meet high standards of theoretical and methodological rigor with lasting impact
Produce scholarship that is comparable in scope and format to articles that appear in leading peer-reviewed journals in ecology, evolutionary biology, and organismal physiology
Supervise junior researchers (e.g., high school students, undergraduates, beginning graduate students) effectively

Learning Outcomes by Department

Ecology and evolutionary biology, phd, neurobiology and behavior, phd.

Neurobiology and Behavior M.S./Ph.D.

Understand the current concepts in molecular biology, biochemistry, and biomedical sciences
Demonstrate specialized knowledge of cellular and molecular biology sufficient to carry out substantive independent research
Produce scholarship that is comparable in scope and format to articles that appear in leading peer-reviewed journals in molecular and biomedical sciences

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, PhD

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry M.S./Ph.D.

Master current concepts in molecular biology, biochemistry, and biomedical sciences
Acquire specialized knowledge of cellular and molecular biology sufficient to carry out substantive independent research

PLO2: Research Methods and Analysis

Design, conduct, and interpret experiments to complete an original research project
Understand the range of tools appropriate for research in the specific sub-field
Appreciate and adhere to research ethics

PLO3: Pedagogy:

Communicate effectively to small and large groups in pedagogical settings such as teaching and research seminars

PLO4: Scholarly Communication:

Review and discuss relevant literature and its significance
Complete an individual development plan (IDP) at the time of entering the MBB program (Fall quarter of the 2 nd year) and update it annually
Submit fellowship proposals to private and governmental agencies to solicit independent funding for graduate research
Anticipate and meet the needs for professional transitions in a timely fashion (prior to degree completion)
Write compelling abstracts describing research for consideration at research conferences

PLO6: Independent Research

Effectively supervise junior researchers (e.g., high school students, undergraduates, beginning graduate students)

Interdepartmental Doctoral Gateway Programs

Gateway programs offer admission to the doctoral programs affiliated with the Schools of Biological Sciences, Medicine, Physical Sciences, Engineering and Information & Computer Science. Students enroll for the first academic year while they do lab rotations and take required coursework. Then, students select a thesis advisor and transfer to a department and complete remaining degree requirements. Gateway programs offer students excellent opportunities to perform laboratory rotations with any of a large number of faculty participants in that program, and in many areas of biological sciences.

Cellular Molecular BioSciences

The PhD program in Cellular & Molecular Biosciences (CMB) at UC Irvine provides ideal training to launch the careers of talented researchers in diverse fields of biological and biomedical sciences. With five different study focuses, the CMB PhD program gears future scientists to be ready for a diverse field. The program offers a rigorous but flexible curriculum with an extensive choice of laboratories and allows students to tailor their training to individual interests and goals. Outstanding facilities, a collaborative culture, a commitment to diversity, and guaranteed on-campus housing all contribute to a productive graduate experience. Applicants receive full financial support that covers tuition, a generous stipend, and health insurance.

For more information, please visit the CMB website.

Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program

Neuroscience is an inherently broad and multidisciplinary area of scientific pursuit and scholarship. It has intellectual links to fields as diverse as developmental and cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, psychology, computer science, and physics. The substantial breadth of Neuroscience is one of its strengths as a discipline, and one of the features that makes it an attractive and important area for graduate study. The Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program (INP) provides a vehicle for meeting the diversity and challenges of graduate training in such a broad discipline. Neuroscience faculty from several departments and schools that represent many broad areas of research participate in the INP. Students may train with any participating faculty member and are exposed to a variety of approaches before deciding on a research area for focused dissertation work. After the initial year of academic coursework and laboratory rotations, students join the more specialized graduate program of their chosen thesis advisor.

Mathematical, Computational, and System Biology

The goal of UCI’s program in Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology (MCSB) is to provide students from a variety of academic backgrounds with doctoral training suitable for research careers in the nascent field of Systems Biology. The program emphasizes in-depth classroom study, interdisciplinary research rotations, and individualized advising. The MCSB Program is supported by funding from UCI’s Graduate Division, by a National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant to the UCI Center for Complex Biological Systems, and an NIH Training Grant.

The program begins with an initial “gateway” year, known as the Mathematical and Computational Biology (MCB) program, during which students receive basic training in principles of biology, as well as in mathematics, engineering and computer science. Students also participate in research rotations, workshops, and directed reading of the Systems Biology literature. Upon successful completion of the MCB year, students select a thesis advisor and complete the doctorate in departments throughout the biological, physical and information sciences and engineering. Students also have the option to complete a Doctorate in Mathematical Computational and Systems Biology directly from the MCSB program. The MCSB Gateway program provides complete financial support to admitted students during the first year, which includes an annual stipend, as well as full tuition and fee remission, including health benefits.

Related Doctoral Programs

Links to related doctoral programs

Pharmacological Sciences Doctoral Program

Cognitive Sciences Doctoral Program

Links to departmental doctoral programs

Developmental and Cell Biology

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Neurobiology and Behavior

Note: Only the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers direct admission to their PhD program. The 3 other BioSci departments offer training opportunities after entering an interdisciplinary gateway program such as CMB, INP or Mathematical Computational and System Biology.

Molecular & Cell Biology PhD

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology offers a program of graduate study leading to the PhD in molecular and cell biology. This program provides advanced training in the research methods and concepts of the study of the molecular structures and processes of cellular life. The training is intellectually focused, but at the same time offers an unusually wide range of opportunities for varied disciplinary specialization.

The teaching and research activities of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) concern the molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms.

This agenda covers a broad range of specialized disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, structural biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology, tumor biology, microbiology, immunology, molecular medicine, and neurobiology.

The types of living organisms from which the departmental faculty draws its working materials are as diverse as its disciplinary specializations, ranging from viruses and microbes through plants, roundworms, annelids, arthropods, and mollusks to fish, amphibia, and mammals.

The faculty is organized into six divisions: Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology; Cell Biology, Development, and Physiology; Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development; Immunology and Molecular Medicine; Neurobiology; and Molecular Therapeutics.

Contact Info

[email protected]

299 Weill Hall, UC Berkeley, #3200

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Molecular & Cell Biology

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

November 27, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Ph.D. Degree in Biological Sciences

A multidisciplinary Graduate Program

Cellular and Molecular BioSciences (CMB)

The University of California, Irvine offers a multidisciplinary graduate program in Cellular and Molecular BioSciences (CMB). The program provides a unique opportunity for students to choose a research area and dissertation committee from any of six participating departments: Biological Chemistry, Developmental & Cell Biology, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Physiology & Biophysics.

A flexible Program with a Broad Education for a Ph.D. Degree in the Biological Sciences

This flexible program brings together more than 80 faculty members with diverse research interests and is designed to provide a broad education leading to the Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences. This joint program increases interactions among the participating departments and facilitates communication and cooperation among members of the various laboratories. All Ph.D. students rotate through participating faculty laboratories during their first year and decide on a thesis advisor before the start of their second year of study.

Faculty research areas include, but are not limited to the following:

Cancer Biology

Cell Biology

Developmental Biology

Immunology and Pathogenesis

Mechanisms of Gene Expression

Molecular Neurobiology

Molecular Physiology and Biophysics

Structural Biology/Protein Engineering

For a more complete description of entry requirements, application procedures and admissions information, please go to: Cellular and Molecular BioSciences .

Doctoral Program

The doctoral program prepares students to excel in research, academia, industry, and governmental / non-governmental organizations. Students have access to seminars and courses on a wide range of topics in evolutionary biology, ecology, and animal behavior, as well as biomathematics, theoretical modeling, and statistics. Students enter the program and begin working with a provisional faculty advisor. After completing a common set of course requirements during their first year, doctoral students focus on their research in one of our specializations.

Incoming doctoral students receive five-year support packages that typically include a combination of support in the form of fellowships, graduate student researcher appointments, and teaching assistantships. Many of our continuing students are successful at earning competitive campus and extramural graduate fellowships. Please visit the Graduate Support page for a list of funding sources.

For questions about the doctoral program and application process, please contact the EEB Graduate Student Affairs Office via email at [email protected] .

Steps to Apply:

The application deadline for Fall 2024 admission is December 1 st, 2023 . All application materials, including letters of recommendations and transcripts are due by this date.

First complete and submit the UCLA Online Graduate School Application by the December 1st deadline. You will be asked to create an account, and we strongly recommend writing down your password. Select the Fall 2024 admission term, and Biology PhD. For the Academic Program (or Biology Academic Division) select the PhD – Biology .
You will need the following information to complete the online application:
Brief description of your research interests (50 characters max, including spaces).
Prospective Faculty Advisor(s) and brief rationale. Select up to two faculty in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (300 words max).
How did you become interested in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology?
What work or academic experiences prompted you to apply for a graduate degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology?
In what area of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology do you plan to specialize?
What are your career goals?

Our department in particular is looking for applicants with knowledge and creativity in their research area of interest, strong communication skills, resiliency in the face of setbacks, capacity for planning, organization, and teamwork, and high standards of ethics and integrity. We encourage applicants to share examples that highlight strengths in these areas.

Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your Statement of Purpose, that have shaped your academic journey? If so, how? Have any of these experiences provided unique perspective(s) that you would contribute to your program, field or profession?
Describe challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education. What motivated you to persist, and how did you overcome them? What is the evidence of your persistence, progress or success?
How have your life experiences and educational background informed your understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher education?
How have you been actively engaged (e.g., through participation, employment, service, teaching or other activities) in programs or activities focused on increasing participation by groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education?
How do you intend to engage in scholarly discourse, research, teaching, creative efforts, and/or community engagement during your graduate program that have the potential to advance diversity and equal opportunity in higher education?
How do you see yourself contributing to diversity in your profession after you earn your advanced degree at UCLA?
Statement of Purpose: This is a mandatory university-wide prompt for all graduate programs. Feel free to upload the statement used for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Supplementary Essay. (1500 word limit)
Names and email addresses of three recommenders. Specific instructions concerning letters of recommendation are described in the online application. Note that recommender should be given enough time to upload letters by the December 1 st deadline.
Copy of unofficial transcripts for uploading.
Awards and other Distinctions. Any academic awards, prizes, honors, fellowships or other distinctions that you have received.
Pertinent work experience. Paid or volunteer positions, such as research internships, that you feel are relevant.
Any publications, or manuscripts submitted for publication, on which you are an author.
ONE official, sealed copy of your academic transcripts. Electronic transcripts are preferred and you should instruct your institution’s registrar’s office to send them to the EEB Graduate Student Affairs Office at [email protected] . If sending physical transcripts, please have the registrar’s office of your institution send transcripts here:

EEB Graduate Student Affairs Office Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 610 Charles E. Young Drive East University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095-7246

International applicants should review the UCLA Requirements for International Applicants .

Please note GRE scores are no longer considered during the application review process. You may see a place for them on the general application, but do not have an official score report sent to our department.

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD Program is one of 18 Graduate Programs in the biosciences .

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Center for Computational Biology

Computational Biology PhD

The main objective of the Computational Biology PhD is to train the next generation of scientists who are both passionate about exploring the interface of computation and biology, and committed to functioning at a high level in both computational and biological fields.

The program emphasizes multidisciplinary competency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transdisciplinary research, and offers an integrated and customizable curriculum that consists of two semesters of didactic course work tailored to each student’s background and interests, research rotations with faculty mentors spanning computational biology’s core disciplines, and dissertation research jointly supervised by computational and biological faculty mentors.

The Computational Biology Graduate Group facilitates student immersion into UC Berkeley’s vibrant computational biology research community. Currently, the Group includes over 46 faculty from across 14 departments of the College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering, the College of Natural Resources, and the School of Public Health. Many of these faculty are available as potential dissertation research advisors for Computational Biology PhD students, with more available for participation on doctoral committees.

The First Year

The time to degree (normative time) of the Computational Biology PhD is five years. The first year of the program emphasizes gaining competency in computational biology, the biological sciences, and the computational sciences (broadly construed). Since student backgrounds will vary widely, each student will work with faculty and student advisory committees to develop a program of study tailored to their background and interests. Specifically, all first-year students must:

Perform three rotations with Core faculty (one rotation with a non-Core faculty is acceptable with advance approval)
Complete course work requirements (see below)
Complete a course in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Attend the computational biology seminar series
Complete experimental training (see below)

Laboratory Rotations

Entering students are required to complete three laboratory rotations during their first year in the program to seek out a Dissertation Advisor under whose supervision dissertation research will be conducted. Students should rotate with at least one computational Core faculty member and one experimental Core faculty member. Click here to view rotation policy.

Course Work & Additional Requirements

Students must complete the following coursework in the first three (up to four) semesters. Courses must be taken for a grade and a grade of B or higher is required for a course to count towards degree progress:

Fall and Spring semester of CMPBIO 293, Doctoral Seminar in Computational Biology
A Responsible Conduct of Research course, most likely through the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology.
STAT 201A & STAT 201B : Intro to Probability and Statistics at an Advanced Level. Note: Students who are offered admission and are not prepared to complete STAT 201A and 201B will be required to complete STAT 134 or PH 142 first.
CS61A : The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. Note: students with the equivalent background can replace this requirement with a more advanced CS course of their choosing.
3 elective courses relevant to the field of Computational Biology , one of which must be at the graduate level (see below for details).
Attend the computational biology invited speaker seminar series. A schedule is circulated to all students by email and is available on the Center website. Starting with the 2023 entering class, CCB PhD students must enroll in CMPBIO 275: Computational Biology Seminar , which provides credit for this seminar series.
1) completion of a laboratory course at Berkeley with a minimum grade of B,
2) completion of a rotation in an experimental lab (w/ an experimental project), with a positive evaluation from the PI,
a biological sciences undergraduate major with at least two upper division laboratory-based courses,
a semester or equivalent of supervised undergraduate experimental laboratory-based research at a university,
or previous paid or volunteer/internship work in an industry-based experimental laboratory.

Students are expected to develop a course plan for their program requirements and to consult with the Head Graduate Advisor before the Spring semester of their first year for formal approval (signature required). The course plan will take into account the student’s undergraduate training areas and goals for PhD research areas.

Satisfactory completion of first year requirements will be evaluated at the end of the spring semester of the first year. If requirements are satisfied, students will formally choose a Dissertation advisor from among the core faculty with whom they rotated and begin dissertation research.

Waivers: Students may request waivers for the specific courses STAT 201A, STAT 201B, and CS61A. In all cases of waivers, the student must take alternative courses in related areas so as to have six additional courses, as described above. For waiving out of STAT 201A/B, students can demonstrate they have completed the equivalent by passing a proctored assessment exam on Campus. For waiving out CS61A, the Head Graduate Advisor will evaluate student’s previous coursework based on the previous course’s syllabus and other course materials to determine equivalency.

Electives: Of the three electives, students are required to choose one course in each of the two following cluster areas:

Cluster A (Biological Science) : These courses are defined as those for which the learning goals are primarily related to biology. This includes courses covering topics in molecular biology, genetics, evolution, environmental science, experimental methods, and human health. This category may also cover courses whose focus is on learning how to use bioinformatic tools to understand experimental data.
Cluster B (Computational Sciences): These courses are defined as those for which the learning goals involve computing, inference, or mathematical modeling, broadly defined. This includes courses on algorithms, computing languages or structures, mathematical or probabilistic concepts, and statistics. This category would include courses whose focus is on biological applications of such topics.

In the below link we give some relevant such courses, but students can take courses beyond this list; for courses not on this list, the Head Graduate Advisor will determine to which cluster a course can be credited. For classes that have significant overlap between these two clusters, the department which offers the course may influence the decision of the HGA as to whether the course should be assigned to cluster A or B.

See below for some suggested courses in these categories:

Suggested Coursework Options

Second Year & Beyond

At the beginning of the fall of the second year, students begin full-time dissertation research in earnest under the supervision of their Dissertation advisor. It is anticipated that it will take students three (up to four) semesters to complete the 6 course requirement. Students are required to continue to participate annually in the computational biology seminar series.

Qualifying Examination

Students are expected to take and pass an oral Qualifying Examination (QE) by the end of the spring semester (June 15th) of their second year of graduate study. Students must present a written dissertation proposal to the QE committee no fewer than four weeks prior to the oral QE. The write-up should follow the format of an NIH-style grant proposal (i.e., it should include an abstract, background and significance, specific aims to be addressed (~3), and a research plan for addressing the aims) and must thoroughly discuss plans for research to be conducted in the dissertation lab. Click here for more details on the guidelines and format for the QE. Click here to view the rules for the composition of the committee and the form for declaring your committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

After successfully completing the QE, students will Advance to Candidacy. At this time, students select the members of their dissertation committee and submit this committee for approval to the Graduate Division. Students should endeavor to include a member whose research represents a complementary yet distinct area from that of the dissertation advisor (ie, biological vs computational, experimental vs theoretical) and that will be integrated in the student’s dissertation research. Click here to view the rules for the composition of the committee and the form for declaring your committee.

Meetings with the Dissertation Committee

After Advancing to Candidacy, students are expected to meet with their Dissertation Committee at least once each year.

Teaching Requirements

Computational Biology PhD students are required to teach at least two semesters (starting with Fall 2019 class), but may teach more. The requirement can be modified if the student has funding that does not allow teaching. Starting with the Fall 2019 class: At least one of those courses should require that you teach a section. Berkeley Connect or CMPBIO 293 can count towards one of the required semesters.

The Dissertation

Dissertation projects will represent scholarly, independent and novel research that contributes new knowledge to Computational Biology by integrating knowledge and methodologies from both the biological and computational sciences. Students must submit their dissertation by the May Graduate Division filing deadline (see Graduate Division for date) of their fifth–and final–year.

Special Requirements

Students will be required to present their research either orally or via a poster at the annual retreat beginning in their second year.

Financial Support

The Computational Biology Graduate Group provides a competitive stipend (the stipend for 2023-24 is $43,363) as well as full payment of fees and non-resident tuition (which includes health care). Students maintaining satisfactory academic progress are provided full funding for five to five and a half years. The program supports students in the first year, while the PI/mentor provides support from the second year on. A portion of this support is in the form of salary from teaching assistance as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) in allied departments, such as Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology, Plant and Microbial Biology, Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science. Teaching is part of the training of the program and most students will not teach more than two semesters, unless by choice.

Due to cost constraints, the program admits few international students; the average is two per year. Those admitted are also given full financial support (as noted above): stipend, fees and tuition.

Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for extramural fellowships for the proposal writing experience. There are a number of extramural fellowships that Berkeley students apply for that current applicants may find appealing. Please note that the NSF now only allows two submissions – once as an undergrad and once in grad school. The NSF funds students with potential, as opposed to specific research projects, so do not be concerned that you don’t know your grad school plans yet – just put together a good proposal! Although we make admissions offers before the fellowships results are released, all eligible students should take advantage of both opportunities to apply, as it’s a great opportunity and a great addition to a CV.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (app deadlines in Oct)
Hertz Foundation Fellowship (app deadline Oct)
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (app deadline in mid-Fall)
DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (Krell Institute) (app deadline in Jan)

CCB no longer requires the GRE for admission (neither general, nor subject). The GRE will not be seen by the review committee, even if sent to Berkeley.

PLEASE NOTE: The application deadline is Wednesday, November 30 , 2023, 8:59 PST/11:59 EST

If you would like to learn more about our program, you can watch informational YouTube videos from the past two UC Berkeley Graduate Diversity Admissions Fairs: 2021 recording & 2020 recording .

We invite applications from students with distinguished academic records, strong foundations in the basic biological, physical and computational sciences, as well as significant computer programming and research experience. Admission for the Computational Biology PhD is for the fall semester only, and Computational Biology does not offer a Master’s degree.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have, but please be sure to read this entire page first, as many of your questions will be answered below or on the Tips tab.

IMPORTANT : Please note that it is not possible to select a specific PhD advisor until the end of the first year in the program, so contacting individual faculty about openings in their laboratories will not increase your chances of being accepted into the program. You will have an opportunity to discuss your interests with relevant faculty if you are invited to interview in February.

Undergraduate Preparation

Minimum requirements for admission to graduate study:

A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
Minimum GPA of 3.0.
Undergraduate preparation reflecting a balance of training in computational biology’s core disciplines (biology, computer science, statistics/mathematics), for example, a single interdisciplinary major, such as computational biology or bioinformatics; a major in a core discipline and a combination of interdisciplinary course work and research experiences; or a double major in core disciplines.
Basic research experience and aptitude are key considerations for admission, so evidence of research experience and letters of recommendation from faculty mentors attesting to the applicant’s research experience are of particular interest.
GRE – NOT required or used for review .
TOEFL scores for international students (see below for details).

Application Requirements

ALL materials, including letters, are due November 30, 2023 (8:59 PST). More information is provided and required as part of the online application, so please create an account and review the application before emailing with questions (and please set up an account well before the deadline):

A completed graduate application: The online application opens in early or mid-September and is located on the Graduate Division website . Paper applications are not accepted. Please create your account and review the application well ahead of the submit date , as it will take time to complete and requests information not listed here.
A nonrefundable application fee: The fee must be paid using a major credit card and is not refundable. For US citizens and permanent residents, the fee is $135; US citizens and permanent residents may request a fee waiver as part of the online application. For all other students (international) the fee is $155 (no waivers, no exceptions). Graduate Admissions manages the fee, not the program, so please contact them with questions.
Three letters of recommendation, minimum (up to five are accepted): Letters of recommendation must be submitted online as part of the Graduate Division’s application process. Letters are also due November 30, so please inform your recommenders of this deadline and give them sufficient advance notice. It is your responsibility to monitor the status of your letters of recommendation (sending prompts, as necessary) in the online system.
Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all relevant transcripts, uploaded as part of the online application (see application for details). Scanned copies of official transcripts are strongly preferred, as transcripts must include applicant and institution name and degree goal and should be easy for the reviewers to read (print-outs from online personal schedules can be hard to read and transcripts without your name and the institution name cannot be used for review). Do not send via mail official transcripts to Grad Division or Computational Biology, they will be discarded.
Essays: Follow links to view descriptions of what these essays should include ( Statement of Purpose [2-3 pages], Personal Statement [1-2 pages]). Also review Tips tab for formatting advice.
(Highly recommended) Applicants should consider applying for extramural funding, such as NSF Fellowships. These are amazing opportunities and the application processes are great preparation for graduate studies. Please see Financial Support tab.
Read and follow all of the “Application Tips” listed on the last tab. This ensures that everything goes smoothly and you make a good impression on the faculty reviewing your file.

The GRE general test is not required. GRE subject tests are not required. GRE scores will not be a determining factor for application review and admission, and will NOT be seen by the CCB admissions committee. While we do not encourage anyone to take the exam, in case you decide to apply to a different program at Berkeley that does require them: the UC Berkeley school code is 4833; department codes are unnecessary. As long as the scores are sent to UC Berkeley, they will be received by any program you apply to on campus.

TOEFL/IELTS

Adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by those applicants applying from countries where English is not the official language. There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL minimum passing scores are 90 for the Internet-based test (IBT) , and 570 for the paper-based format (PBT) . The TOEFL may be waived if an international student has completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better while in residence at a U.S. university (transcript will be required). Please click here for more information .

Application Deadlines

The Application Deadline is 8:59 pm Pacific Standard Time, November 30, 2023 . The application will lock at 9pm PST, precisely. All materials must be received by the deadline. While rec letters can continue to be submitted and received after the deadline, the committee meets in early December and will review incomplete applications. TOEFL tests should be taken by or before the deadline, but self-reported scores are acceptable for review while the official scores are being processed. All submitted applications will be reviewed, even if materials are missing, but it may impact the evaluation of the application.

It is your responsibility to ensure and verify that your application materials are submitted in a timely manner. Please be sure to hit the submit button when you have completed the application and to monitor the status of your letters of recommendation (sending prompts, as necessary). Please include the statement of purpose and personal statement in the online application. While you can upload a CV, please DO NOT upload entire publications or papers. Please DO NOT send paper résumés, separate folders of information, or articles via mail. They will be discarded unread.

The Computational Biology Interview Visit dates will be: February 25-27, 2024

Top applicants who are being considered for admission will be invited to visit campus for interviews with faculty. Invitations will be made by early January. Students are expected to stay for the entire event, arriving in Berkeley by 5:30pm on the first day and leaving the evening of the final day. In the application, you must provide the names of between 7-10 faculty from the Computational Biology website with whom you are interested in conducting research or performing rotations. This helps route your application to our reviewers and facilitates the interview scheduling process. An invitation is not a guarantee of admission.

International students may be interviewed virtually, as flights are often prohibitively expensive.

Tips for the Application Process

Uploaded Documents: Be sure to put your name and type of essay on your essays ( Statement of Purpose [2-3 pages], Personal Statement [1-2 pages]) as a header or before the text, whether you use the text box or upload a PDF or Word doc. There is no minimum length on either essay, but 3 pages maximum is suggested. The Statement of Purpose should describe your research and educational background and aspirations. The Personal Statement can include personal achievements not necessarily related to research, barriers you’ve had to overcome, mentoring and volunteering activities, things that make you unique and demonstrate the qualities you will bring to the program.

Letters of Recommendation: should be from persons who have supervised your research or academic work and who can evaluate your intellectual ability, creativity, leadership potential and promise for productive scholarship. If lab supervision was provided by a postdoc or graduate student, the letter should carry the signature or support of the faculty member in charge of the research project. Note: the application can be submitted before all of the recommenders have completed their letters. It is your responsibility to keep track of your recommender’s progress through the online system. Be sure to send reminders if your recommenders do not submit their letters.

Extramural fellowships: it is to your benefit to apply for fellowships as they may facilitate entry into the lab of your choice, are a great addition to your CV and often provide higher stipends. Do not allow concerns about coming up with a research proposal before joining a lab prevent you from applying. The fellowships are looking for research potential and proposal writing skills and will not hold you to specific research projects once you have started graduate school.

Calculating GPA: Schools can differ in how they assign grades and calculate grade point averages, so it may be difficult for this office to offer advice. The best resource for calculating the GPA for your school is to check the back of the official transcripts where a guide is often provided or use an online tool. There are free online GPA conversion tools that can be found via an internet search.

Faculty Contact/Interests: Please be sure to list faculty that interest you as part of the online application. You are not required to contact any faculty in advance, nor will it assist with admission, but are welcome to if you wish to learn more about their research.

Submitting the application: To avoid the possibility of computer problems on either side, it is NOT advisable to wait until the last day to start and/or submit your application. It is not unusual for the application system to have difficulties during times of heavy traffic. However, there is no need to submit the application too early. No application will be reviewed before the deadline.

Visits: We only arrange one campus visit for recruitment purposes. If you are interested in visiting the campus and meeting with faculty before the application deadline, you are welcome to do so on your own time (we will be unable to assist).

Name: Please double check that you have entered your first and last names in the correct fields. This is our first impression of you as a candidate, so you do want to get your name correct! Be sure to put your name on any documents that you upload (Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement).

California Residency: You are not considered a resident if you hope to enter our program in the Fall, but have never lived in California before or are here on a visa. So, please do not mark “resident” on the application in anticipation of admission. You must have lived in California previously, and be a US citizen or Permanent Resident, to be a resident.

Faculty Leadership Head Graduate Advisor and Chair for the PhD & DE John Huelsenbeck ( [email protected] )

Associate Head Graduate Advisor for PhD & DE Liana Lareau ( [email protected] )

Equity Advisor Rasmus Nielsen ( [email protected] )

Director of CCB Elizabeth Purdom ( [email protected] )

Core PhD & DE Faculty ( link )

Staff support Student Services Advisor (GSAO): Kate Chase ( [email protected] )

Link to external website (http://www.berkeley.edu)

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, the mcb phd program, introduction.

Students in the Ph.D. program receive broad training in how biological systems function at the level of nucleic acids and proteins, cells and development, and evolution of populations and species and will receive a PhD in Molecular Biology. Faculty from the Molecular and Computational Biology Section participate in the program, offering access to diverse expertise and research programs. Approximately 75 students are enrolled in the graduate program and conduct research with faculty members. Incoming students can be admitted through one of two tracks – an Open Admission Track and a Direct Admission Track. Students admitted through the Open Admission track rotate through three research labs in their first year, selecting a PhD advisor in the Spring of their first year. Students admitted through Direct Admission have already identified their research advisor before applying to the program and begin working in the lab of their advisor in the Fall of the first year. Additionally, during their first and second year, students take a core curriculum that lays the foundation for more advanced study, while also learning skills such as critical reading of the scientific literature, grant writing, data analysis using R, and oral presentation skills.

Faculty research areas

Aging Biochemistry Cancer Biology Cell Biology Chemical Biology Evolutionary Biology Genetics Mechanisms of DNA replication, repair, and genome stability Neurobiology Regulation of gene expression Structural Biology Synthetic Biology Systems Biology

Meet the MCB PhD Program Faculty!

General statistics

Number of applicants: approx. 165 per year

Number of offers extended: approx. 25 (about 15% of applicants)

Number of offers accepted: 14

Time to completion: 6 year average

Teaching Assistant Requirement: Minimum 1 semester TAing

Funding: Our department provides funding for the first five years of your program through a variety of teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships.

Apply to the program!

Meet the faculty, current mcb graduate student information.

Marine Biology (MB)

Interested in applying to our MS or PhD programs? View presentations from this year's info sessions .

Information for the Marine Biology PhD program and Master's degree programs

The program offers two tracks, Marine Biology and Marine Chemical Biology:

Marine Biology (MB) is the study of marine organisms and their relationship with the physical and chemical dynamics of the marine environment. Faculty expertise encompasses several major areas of modern biology including evolutionary, ecological, organismic, physiological, biochemical, and genetic processes of marine animals and microorganisms.

Examples of current research activities include:

Marine microbiology
Algae biofuels and biotechnology
Genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics
Cell and developmental biology
Physiology and biochemistry of marine animals
Biomechanics and biomaterials
Ecotoxicology
Photobiology
Parasitology
Animal behavior and behavioral ecology
Deep-sea biology
Phylogeny and taxonomy of marine animals
Biogeography or marine populations
Evolutionary genomics and molecular ecology of marine organisms
Biodiversity, ecology, and conservation of marine ecosystems

Studies ranging from spatial ecology of coral reef ecosystems to the role of the marine microbiome in food web dynamics are being investigated in over thirty independent research laboratories.

Marine Chemical Biology (MCB) is an interfacial discipline combining the fields of chemistry and biology to study and manipulate biological systems with the use of chemical, biochemical and genetic techniques and tools. Currently most of the investigations in the MCB track are focused on the discovery and application of marine microbial natural products and the study of biochemical processes utilized to create these unique molecules.

Marine natural products are amongst some of the most structurally novel in the natural world, and their chemical description is critical to developing their full biomedical and biotechnological value as well as exploring their functional roles in our natural world. Understanding the biosynthesis of these marine natural products by a combination of organic chemistry and recombinant biology approaches lays the foundation for the discovery and application of novel biosynthetic enzymes and the rational metabolic engineering of designer molecules. Some of these metabolites may have utility as biological reagents, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, biofuels, or other commodity chemicals. Innovative analytical methods are also being utilized to probe the sites of natural products’ biosynthesis in complex associations of marine species, including those involved in symbiotic relationships.

Potential advisors for prospective applicants

Prospective PhD and MS applicants should reach out to all potential advisors based on research interests to ascertain whether they are encouraged to apply. Additionally, PhD program applicants should be aware that funding for PhD students is usually supplied by individual advisors and that such funding is often very limited; hence, securing outside fellowships (e.g., the NSF GRFP) greatly increases the chance of admission. See here for more information concerning funding.

Educational Requirements for Admission

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the PhD program listed here , a major in one of the biological sciences (or equivalent), with basic course work in botany, microbiology, or zoology, as well as two years of chemistry, including organic chemistry, is required.

Training in one or more of the following areas is strongly recommended: cellular biology, molecular biology, comparative physiology, genetics, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, microbiology, and/or botany.

MB Applicant evaluation criteria

Factors that are used to evaluate applicants include, but are not limited to, (1) Academic preparation; (2) Scholarly potential; (3) Diversity, equity, and inclusion contributions; (4) Alignment with the program (i.e., fit with the laboratories of prospective advisors); (5) Realistic self-appraisal; and (6) Long-term goals.

If an OBP applicant decides to submit the entirely optional general GRE scores, those scores will be used similarly to the GPA, alongside the applicant’s other materials to inform the holistic assessment of the applicant’s “scholarly potential.”

We reemphasize that a requirement for the acceptance of even excellent applicants is the interest and ability of the prospective main advisor(s) to take on the student; the ability of even an interested advisor to admit is ultimately contingent on the availability of funding, whether from internal or external sources.

Programs of Study for PhD

Students admitted to Ocean Bioscience Program (OBP) are assigned an advisor, who is a chair of the three-person guidance committee. Students are assigned to a curricular group based on their interests. Although students may change curricular groups near the beginning of the year, they must commit to a curricular group early on because this determines which departmental exam they will take. During the year, students may be supported in a variety of ways. After the first year, the guidance committee is dissolved and the research advisor, and eventually the dissertation committee, provide guidance.

Marine Biology Curriculum:

Graduate students are expected to gain research experience in one or more laboratories during their first year.

Graduate students are required to complete SIO core courses including SIO 210, Physical Oceanography, SIO 260, Marine Chemistry, and SIO 280, Biological Oceanography. In addition, students are also expected to enroll in SIOB 297 Marine Biology Seminar, the weekly marine biology seminar series, every quarter. In the spring term of their first year at SIO, students will take a departmental exam consisting of a presentation of their first-year research in the form of a paper and short talk to the curricular group, followed by a meeting with their first-year advisory committee. MB Ph.D. students also must take at least two graduate-level marine organismal courses or labs. A partial list of courses that fulfill this requirement include: SIOB 271 Marine Zooplankton, SIOB 274 Natural History Below the Tides, SIOB 277 Deep Sea Biology, SIOB 281 Marine Physiology, SIOB 282 Phytoplankton Diversity, SIOB 283 Phycology: Marine Plant Biology, SIOB 284 Marine Invertebrates, SIOB 287A Marine Microbial Ecology, SIOB 293 Applications of Phylogenetics, SIOB 294 Biology of Fishes, and SIOB 296 Marine Tetrapods.

After their first year, students are expected to enroll and actively participate in at least one seminar course (SIO 278, 296, or equivalent) per year that will provide in-depth knowledge and reading in selected areas, as well as practice presenting scientific material. Students frequently take additional SIO and UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences courses based on their research interests and general scientific education.

In addition to the seminar requirement discussed above, second-year students will present their research in a special Marine Biology mini-symposium, held in spring quarter; students in the second through fourth years are expected to participate in the research presentation class (SIO 291) each year.

Marine Chemical Biology Curriculum:

Graduate students are required to complete SIO core courses including SIO 210, Physical Oceanography, SIO 260, Marine Chemistry, and SIO 280, Biological Oceanography. In addition, students are required to enroll in SIOB 262 Marine Chemical Biology Seminar every quarter. In the spring term of their first year at SIO, students will take a departmental exam consisting of a presentation of their first-year research in the form of a paper and short talk to the curricular group, followed by a meeting with their first-year guidance committee.

Marine Chemical Biology graduate students are expected to gain research experience in one or more laboratories during their first year. Additional courses that are recommended as electives in this Track, the exact composition of which will be decided by discussion between the student and the student’s first year guidance committee, include CHEM 257, Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, SIO 242A-B, Marine Biotechnology I and II, SIO 264, Special Topics in Marine Natural Products Chemistry, and at least one of the following two courses: CHEM 254, Mechanisms of Organic Reactions and/or CHEM 258, Applied Spectroscopy. These are typically taken over the first two years of study. Additional electives, seminar courses, and special topics courses in graduate science and oceanography are available.

Second-year students will present their research along with students in the Marine Biology mini-symposium which is held in spring quarter.

Program of Study for MS

Required course work-.

SIOC 210. Physical Oceanography (4 units)
SIOG 260. Marine Chemistry (4 units)
SIOB 280. Biological Oceanography (4 units)
MB M.S. students also must take at least two graduate-level marine organismal courses or labs. A partial list of courses that fulfill this requirement include: SIOB 271 Marine Zooplankton, SIOB 274 Natural History Below the Tides, SIOB 277 Deep Sea Biology, SIOB 281 Marine Physiology, SIOB 282 Phytoplankton Diversity, SIOB 283 Phycology: Marine Plant Biology, SIOB 284 Marine Invertebrates, SIOB 287A Marine Microbial Ecology, SIOB 293 Applications of Phylogenetics, SIOB 294 Biology of Fishes, and SIOB 296 Marine Tetrapods

Elective course work-

Students may fulfill the remaining units of required course work through elective course offerings that may be recommended by the guidance committee.

Marine Chemical Biology Curriculum:

SIOG 260. Marine Chemistry (4 units)
SIOB 280. Biological Oceanography (4 units)

Students may fulfill the remaining units of required course work through elective course offerings selected in consultation with the students’ guidance committee. Typical recommended electives are below:

Chem 257. Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry (4 units)
SIOG 232. Ethical and Professional Science (2 units) or equivalent
SIOB 242 A-B. Marine Biotechnology I and II (8 units)
SIOB 264. Special Topics in Marine Natural Products Chemistry (3 units)
Select at least one of the following: Chem 254. Mechanisms of Organic Reactions (4 units) and/or Chem 258. Applied Spectroscopy (4 units)

Research in Marine Biology

Marine Biology Faculty and Researchers:

Octavio Aburto
Andrew Allen
Lihini Aluwihare
Dahiana Arcila
Douglas Bartlett
Tarik Benmarhnia
Ricardo Betancur
Jeff S. Bowman
Ronald Burton
Dimitri Deheyn
Terry Gaasterland
Bill Gerwick
Jack Gilbert
Amro Hamdoun
Ryan Hechinger
Paul Jensen
Linda Kelly
James Leichter
April Lukowski
Deirdre Lyons
Bradley Moore
Richard Norris
Brian Palenik
Paul Ponganis
Kim Prather
Stuart Sandin
Brice Semmens
Jennifer Smith
George Sugihara
Jennifer Taylor
Martin Tresguerres
Lisa Zeigler

Stenocarpus sinuatus - Firewheel Tree. Credit: Cameron Hannah-Bick

Earn your Ph.D., M.A., B.S. or B.A. degree in biology at UC Santa Barbara, a world class research university.

Academic Departments

Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Graduate programs.

Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology Graduate Program

Biomolecular Science and Engineering

Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science

Neuroscience Graduate Programs

Biology undergraduate program.

Biological Sciences at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) are administered jointly by the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology (EEMB) and the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB). Research and teaching programs cover the full spectrum of biological science from molecular biology and biochemistry to community and ecosystems ecology.

The campus's character, physical beauty and location near a historic city with a diverse cultural life and commitment to preserving the environment all provide the setting for an academic community known internationally for its excellence and innovation. A member of the Association of American Universities, this vibrant, energetic campus ranks with Harvard, Stanford and UC Berkeley among the leading institutions of higher learning in the U.S. and Canada. Students know it as a friendly, welcoming place where their professors take the time to help them learn. The quality of faculty members testifies to the strength of UCSB's academic programs and the quantity and quality of its research.

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Biology@Berkeley

Welcome to the Biology@Berkeley website, designed to help current students, prospective students and visitors navigate the wealth of opportunities in the field of Biology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Recent Science News

Molecular and Cell Biology

Spring 2024 | New Faculty Profile Wagner

New Faculty Profile | Allon Wagner At the Intersection of Computation and Biology

By Kirsten Mickelwait

Allon Wagner’s interests have always spanned both the sciences and linguistics. Before coming to UC Berkeley to pursue his PhD and postdoc in computer science with Nir Yosef, he earned two master’s degrees: one in computer science and the other in Near Eastern history and languages. These studies fueled a passion for translation that continues to inform his career, only now he studies two scientific languages: molecular biology and computational biology.

Wagner joined MCB on January 1 as an assistant professor of immunology and molecular medicine, holding a joint appointment with Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (EECS) and the Center for Computational Biology (CCB). Specifically, he works at the junction of computational single-cell genomics, immunology, and cellular metabolism. His lab develops data-driven algorithms to study metabolic dysregulation of immunity in cancer, autoimmunity, and other diseases.

Cellular metabolism regulates our immune system's response to pathogens, tumors, and tissue injury. When immune cells fail to mount the correct metabolic processes, it leads to an ineffective or even adverse immune response. For example, in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, dysregulated metabolic programs are one of the factors that turn the immune system on the body itself.

Wagner and his students develop computational approaches to infer the metabolic programs of single cells in our organs, how these cells metabolically interact with one another, and how these processes are dysregulated in disease. Wagner’s lab and collaborators use such in silico methods to study state-of-the-art transcriptomic, multiomic and spatial single-cell assays to achieve a systems-level understanding of metabolism.

The ways that single-cell genomics have changed biology can be compared to the development of the first microscope—we can suddenly collect a whole new universe of data and reveal an entirely new level of biology. Contrasting these new tools back to when he started his PhD, “It's like comparing a car to a horse-drawn carriage,” Wagner laughs. “And now, our goal is to develop the computational methods needed to take advantage of these new data worlds.”

Wagner collaborates with MCB faculty studying diverse subjects in immunology—such as Russell Vance, Ellen Robey, and Greg Barton—enabling them to look more deeply at the data generated in their labs. Data-driven work like Wagner’s can suggest new connections in genomic datasets that translate to new hypotheses, which his experimental collaborators can test in the lab, generating more data to analyze. This way, experimentation and computation support one another in deriving novel biological insights. One translational impact of such collaborations will ultimately be identifying metabolic enzymes that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes, for example, bolstering the immune response against tumors, or suppressing it in patients suffering from autoimmunity.

“I strongly believe in the integration of biological scientists and computational scientists,” Wagner says. “In our field, there are no longer projects led by just one investigator—these projects require multiple leaders.” For these collaborations to work, he says, all sides need to be able to speak with one another. “My lab, for example, brings computational expertise, but we’re versed in the language of immunology and comprehend the experiments and the biological contexts of our work.” It’s necessary to be “bilingual” across disciplines because Wagner’s work is to develop data-science approaches specific to biology's intricacies. “You can’t apply out-of-the-box data-science methods to genomic data because living cells are so unique.”

Such interdisciplinary collaboration is why Wagner holds his troika of joint appointments at Berkeley. And it’s also characteristic of the university’s vision for the future of science. “It's rare to have a place that’s so globally outstanding, both in computer science and in the immunological sciences,” Wagner says, “coupled with such a supportive ecosystem, as we do with the new College of Data Science (CDSS), the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3-Berkeley), UCSF, and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. If I could imagine a best-case scenario for my particular field, this appointment would be it. How could I not take it?”

As he begins his teaching career, Wagner hopes to inspire future generations of students to be bilingual in both the biology and the computational sides, and he’s exploring how to bring those two disciplines closer together at the undergraduate and graduate levels. “ How do you teach an MCB seminar with computational aspects in it?” he asks. “And how do you create a class that’s both effective and enriching for students from all three units—MCB, EECS, and CCB?”

Currently building his lab in Stanley Hall, he’s excited about the students that will join his group and the culture they’ll create together. He’s curious about the individual perspectives and new ideas they’ll bring to his work; “I say to every student who walks in that I want them to eventually tell me, ‘I have a better approach,’” he says.

Thinking toward where his discipline is headed, Wagner is curious to see how computation will accelerate discoveries in molecular biology and transform medicine as we know it. “Fifty years into the future, they’ll be looking at our medicine the way we look at the medicine of Pharaonic times,” he says. “And that future will come from the integration of computation and biology.”

Learn more about research in the Wagner Lab: allonwagnerlab.org

Banner image: Keegan Houser

Back to Main Spring 2024 Newsletter Page

College of Biological Sciences

Integrated genetics & genomics graduate seminar series: "advancing genomic technologies to mitigate the threat of ticks and arthropod vectors pests".

Event Date Mon, Jun 3, 2024 @ 3:10pm - 4:00pm

Perot Saelao, Acting-Research Leader, VPGRU, presents "Advancing Genomic Technologies to Mitigate the Threat of Ticks and Arthropod Vectors Pests".

Perot Saelao obtained his PhD from the University of Davis, California. He is a Bioinformatics Researcher and Acting-Research Leader at the Veterinary Pest Genetics Research Unit with Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Kerrville, TX. Currently, he is working on adapting genomic sequencing methods to improve genetic resources available to study vector pests and other insect species.

Host: Huaijun Zhou ([email protected])

Event Category

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

50 Best Colleges for Biology – 2024

May 8, 2024

Biological sciences is the most popular major for those planning to one day apply to med schools. Many biology majors will also continue their education beyond a bachelor’s pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. degrees. With all of these challenges ahead, you’ll want to choose a renowned institution that is one of the best biology colleges and will help you emerge from four years of study ready to compete in a competitive job or graduate school market. The colleges and universities that made our list of best colleges for biology are known for producing knowledgeable graduates who have had ample opportunity for hands-on learning in research laboratories.

When choosing a degree program, you will likely have the opportunity to concentrate in a specific area such as Computational Biology and Mathematical Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Mechanisms of Disease, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Neurobiology.

Methodology

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Biology.

Best Colleges for Biology

Here’s a quick preview of the first biology institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Swarthmore College

2) University of California, Los Angeles

3) Harvard University

4) Massachusetts Institute of Technology

5) California Institute of Technology

6) Williams College

7) Stanford University

8) Johns Hopkins University

9) University of Pennsylvania

10) Cornell University

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of biology and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best biology colleges, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—the university’s:

Cost of Attendance
Acceptance Rate
Median SAT
Median ACT
Retention Rate
Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

Academic Highlights: Swarthmore offers forty undergraduate programs and runs 600+ courses each academic year. Small, seminar-style courses are the norm—an outstanding 33% of sections enroll fewer than ten students, and 70% contain a maximum of nineteen students. Social science degrees are the most commonly conferred, accounting for 24% of all 2022 graduates. Future businessmen/women, engineers, and techies are also well-positioned, given Swat’s incredibly strong offerings in economics, engineering, and computer science.

Professional Outcomes: 68% of Class of 2022 grads entered the workforce shortly after graduation. Popular industries included education (17%), consulting (16%), and financial services (13%); the median starting salary was $60,000. Google is a leading employer of Swarthmore grads followed by Amazon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, and a number of the top universities. 18% of 2022 grads pursued advanced degrees, with 35% pursuing a PhD, 35% entering master’s programs, 10% heading to law school, and 7% matriculating into medical school.

Enrollment: 1,625
Cost of Attendance: $81,376
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 96%
Graduation Rate: 94%

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

Academic Highlights: UCLA offers 125 majors in 100+ academic departments, and more than 60 majors require a capstone experience that results in the creation of a tangible product under the mentorship of faculty members. The most commonly conferred degrees are in the social sciences (25%), biology (16%), psychology (11%), mathematics (8%), and engineering (7%). Departmental rankings are high across the board, especially in computer science, engineering, film, fine and performing arts, mathematics, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: UCLA grads flow most heavily into the research, finance, computer science, and engineering sectors. High numbers of recent grads can be found at Disney, Google, EY, Teach for America, Amazon, and Oracle. Hundreds also can be found at Bloomberg, Deloitte, Mattel, Oracle, and SpaceX. The average starting salary exceeds $55,000. 16% of recent grads enrolled directly in a graduate/professional school, with other CA-based institutions like Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Berkeley, and Loyola Marymount being the most popular.

Enrollment: 33,040 (undergraduate); 15,010 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $38,517 (in-state); $71,091 (out-of-state)
Median SAT: Test Blind
Median ACT: Test Blind
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Retention Rate: 97%
Graduation Rate: 93%

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Academic Highlights: There are 50 undergraduate fields of study referred to as concentrations; many are interdisciplinary. Even with a graduate population of over 14,000 to cater to, undergraduate class sizes still tend to be small, with 42% of sections having single-digit enrollments and 71% being capped at nineteen. Economics, government, and computer science are the three most popular areas of concentration at Harvard. Biology, chemistry, physics, math, statistics, sociology, history, English, and psychology all sit atop most departmental ranking lists.

Professional Outcomes: The Crimson Class of 2022 saw 15% of students head directly into graduate/professional school. Of the graduates entering the world of work (virtually everyone else), 58% were entering either the consulting, finance, or technology field. Over 1,000 Harvard alumni presently work for Google and over 500 for Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. Turning our attention to those moving on to graduate school, Harvard grads with at least a 3.5 GPA typically enjoy acceptance rates into medical school of 90% or greater.

Enrollment: 7,240
Cost of Attendance: $79,450
Median SAT: 1550
Median ACT: 35
Acceptance Rate: 3%
Retention Rate: 98%
Graduation Rate: 98%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates pursue one of 57 majors and 59 minors at this world-class research institution that continues to be one of the world’s most magnetic destinations for math and science geniuses. The student-to-faculty ratio is an astonishing 3-to-1, and over two-fifths of all class sections have single-digit enrollments, and 70% of courses contain fewer than twenty students. The highest numbers of degrees conferred in 2022 were in the following majors: engineering (31%), computer science and engineering (28%), mathematics (10%), and the physical sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2023 saw 29% of its members enter the world of employment and 43% continue on their educational paths. The top employers included Accenture, Amazon, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Google, General Motors, the US Navy, Apple, Bain & Company, and McKinsey. The mean starting salary for an MIT bachelor’s degree holder was $95,000. The most frequently attended graduate schools are a who’s who of elite institutions including MIT itself, Stanford, Caltech, Harvard, and the University of Oxford.

Enrollment: 4,657
Cost of Attendance: $82,730
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Retention Rate: 99%
Graduation Rate: 95%

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA

Academic Highlights: Across all divisions, there are 28 distinct majors. Possessing an absurdly favorable 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, plenty of individualized attention is up for grabs. Class sizes are not quite as tiny as the student-to-faculty ratio might suggest, but 70% of courses enroll fewer than twenty students, and 28% enroll fewer than ten. Computer science is the most popular major, accounting for 38% of all degrees conferred. Engineering (30%), the physical sciences (20%), and mathematics (6%) also have strong representation.

Professional Outcomes: Caltech is a rare school that sees six-figure average starting salaries for its graduates; in 2022, the median figure was $120,000. Forty-three percent of recent grads went directly into the workforce and found homes at tech giants such as Google, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta. A healthy 46% of those receiving their diplomas in 2022 continued directly on the higher education path, immediately entering graduate school. Ninety-seven percent of these students were admitted to one of their top-choice schools.

Enrollment: 982
Cost of Attendance: $86,886

Williams College

Williamstown, MA

Academic Highlights: The school’s 25 academic departments offer 36 majors and a number of concentrations rather than minors. An unparalleled 40% of courses have fewer than ten students enrolled; the median class size is 12 students. Programs in economics, English, history, math, and political science are especially renowned, and the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (26%), the physical sciences (10%), math and statistics (9%), psychology (9%), and computer science (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Among the Class of 2022, 92% were employed or continuing their educational journey within six months of graduating. Business and education typically attract the most students, with popular companies/organizations including Apple, Google, Goldman Sachs, The New York Times Co., the Peace Corps, and Teach for America. The median annual income for 2022 grads was $75,000. 75% pursue an advanced degree within five years of leaving Williams, with the most frequently attended graduate programs being Harvard, Columbia, and Yale.

Enrollment: 2,152 (undergraduate); 53 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $81,160
Median SAT: 1520
Acceptance Rate: 8%

Stanford University

Palo Alto, CA

Academic Highlights: Stanford has three undergraduate schools: the School of Humanities & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences. 69% of classes have fewer than twenty students, and 34% have a single-digit enrollment. Programs in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, international relations, and economics are arguably the best anywhere. In terms of sheer volume, the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (17%), computer science (16%), engineering (15%), and interdisciplinary studies (13%).

Professional Outcomes: Stanford grads entering the working world flock to three major industries in equal distribution: business/finance/consulting/retail (19%); computer, IT (19%); and public policy and service, international affairs (19%). Among the companies employing the largest number of recent grads are Accenture, Apple, Bain, Cisco, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, Microsoft, and SpaceX. Other companies that employ hundreds of Cardinal alums include LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Airbnb. Starting salaries for Stanford grads are among the highest in the country.

Enrollment: 8,049 (undergraduate); 10,236 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $87,833
Median SAT: 1540

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Academic Highlights: With 53 majors as well as 51 minors, JHU excels in everything from its bread-and-butter medical-related majors to international relations and dance. Boasting an enviable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and with 78% of course sections possessing an enrollment under 20, face time with professors is a reality. Many departments carry a high level of clout, including biomedical engineering, chemistry, English, and international studies. Biology, neuroscience, and computer science, which happen to be the three most popular majors, can also be found at the top of the national rankings.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 saw 94% of graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 66% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 19% went directly to graduate/professional school. The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 for the Class of 2022. JHU itself is the most popular choice for graduate school. The next most frequently attended institutions included Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

Enrollment: 6,044
Cost of Attendance: $86,065

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Academic Highlights : 90 distinct degrees are available across four schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Applied Science and Engineering, the College of Nursing, and the world-renowned Wharton School. The greatest number of students pursue degrees in business (19%), social sciences (14%), biology (11%), health sciences (9%), engineering (9%), and computer science (9%). The university boasts an exceptional 26% of courses with an enrollment under ten and 59% with an enrollment under twenty as well as multiple ways for undergrads to conduct research.

Professional Outcomes: 75% of Class of 2022 grads were employed within six months of graduating, and 18% were in graduate school. Finance attracted the highest percentage of grads (30%) followed by consulting (20%), technology (15%), and healthcare (10%). Employers hiring the greatest number of 2022 grads included JPMorgan, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Company, Meta, and Goldman Sachs. The median starting salary for all graduates is $80,000. For those continuing their educational journeys, the most popular move is to remain at Penn, followed by Columbia and Harvard.

Enrollment: 9,760 (undergraduate); 13,614 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $89,028
Graduation Rate: 96%

Cornell University

Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.

Enrollment: 15,735
Cost of Attendance: $88,150
Median ACT: 34

Amherst College

Amherst, MA

Academic Highlights: A 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows for 66% of courses to have fewer than twenty students and 32% to have single-digit enrollments. By senior year, 98% of seniors report feeling close enough to a faculty member to ask for a letter of recommendation. Amherst possesses strong offerings across the board, most notably in economics, English, history, mathematics, and law The social sciences account for 22% of degrees conferred, while 14% are in mathematics, 11% in biology, and 7% in computer science

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 93% of the Class of 2022 had already found its way into the world of employment, graduate school, or a volunteer organization. The largest employers of Amherst grads includes Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs. The schools where the highest number of Amherst grads can be found pursuing advanced degrees include MIT, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania. Fifty to sixty Amherst grads apply to medical school each year, and the acceptance rate hovers around 75-80%.

Enrollment: 1,898
Cost of Attendance: $84,840
Retention Rate: 95%
Graduation Rate: 92%

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

Academic Highlights: There are 53 majors at UChicago, but close to half of all degrees conferred are in four majors: economics, biology, mathematics, and political science, all of which have particularly sterling reputations. Economics alone is the selection of roughly one-fifth of the undergraduate population. Over 75% of undergrad sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students, and undergraduate research opportunities are ubiquitous as 80% of students end up working in a research capacity alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: On commencement day, 99% of the Class of 2023 were employed or continuing their education. Business and financial services (30%) and STEM (12%) were the two sectors that scooped up the most graduates, but public policy and consulting were also well-represented. The most popular employers of recent grads include Google, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Bank of America, Citi, and Accenture. For those heading to grad school, the top seven destinations are Yale, Columbia, Penn, MIT, Stanford, UCLA, and Johns Hopkins.

Enrollment: 7,653 (undergraduate); 10,870 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $89,040
Acceptance Rate: 5%

Duke University

Academic Highlights: The academic offerings at Duke include 53 majors, 52 minors, and 23 interdisciplinary certificates. Class sizes are on the small side—71% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students. Computer Science is the most popular area of concentration (11%), followed by economics (10%), public policy (9%), biology (8%), and computer engineering (7%).

Professional Outcomes: At graduation, approximately 70% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 20% continue into graduate schools, and 2% start their own businesses. The industries that attract the largest percentage of Blue Devils are tech (21%), finance (15%), business (15%), healthcare (9%), and science/research (6%). Of the 20% headed into graduate school, a hefty 22% are attending medical school, 18% are in PhD programs, and 12% are entering law school. The med school acceptance rate is 85%, more than twice the national average.

Enrollment: 6,640
Cost of Attendance: $85,238
SAT Range: 1490-1570
ACT Range: 34-35
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Graduation Rate: 97%

Haverford College

Haverford, PA

Academic Highlights: Haverford offers 31 majors, 32 minors, 12 concentrations, and eleven consortium programs—areas of study that can be pursued at partner campuses. The school’s 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and exclusive emphasis on undergraduate education lead to exceptionally intimate classes, 33% of which have fewer than 10 students, and 72% have fewer than 20. The most popular areas of study at Haverford include the social sciences (24%), biology (14%), psychology (11%), physical sciences (10%), computer science (9%), and mathematics (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Haverford, 63% of the Class of 2022 had found employment, 19% had enrolled in graduate school, and 9% were still job hunting. Employers hiring multiple recent Haverford grads include Epic, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, the National Institutes of Health, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Of the 19% of 2022 grads who elected to continue their education, the most commonly entered fields of study were STEM (51%) and medicine/health (15%).

Enrollment: 1,421
Cost of Attendance: $87,180
Median SAT: 1490
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Graduation Rate: 91%

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

Academic Highlights: 39 majors are available at Princeton. Just under three-quarters of class sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 31% have fewer than ten students. Princeton is known for its commitment to undergraduate teaching, and students consistently rate professors as accessible and helpful. The Engineering Department is widely recognized as one of the country’s best, as is the School of Public and International Affairs.

Professional Highlights: Over 95% of a typical Tiger class finds their next destination within six months of graduating. Large numbers of recent grads flock to the fields of business and engineering, health/science, & tech. Companies presently employing hundreds of Tiger alumni include Google, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and Meta. The average salary ranges from $40k (education, health care, or social services) to $100k (computer/mathematical positions). Between 15-20% of graduating Tigers head directly to graduate/professional school.

Enrollment: 5,604 (undergraduate); 3,238 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $86,700

University of California, San Diego

San Diego, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 140+ undergraduate majors offered at UCSD, and all students join one of eight undergraduate colleges meant to forge flourishing communities within the larger university. Biology has the highest representation of all majors (19%) followed by engineering (12%), the social sciences (11%), and computer science (9%). UCSD’s computer science and engineering programs have stellar reputations in the corporate and tech communities, and programs in biology, economics, and political science are among the best anywhere.

Professional Outcomes: Employers of recent graduates included the Walt Disney Company, Tesla, NBC Universal, PwC, Northrop Grumman, and EY. More than 1,000 current Google employees are UC San Diego alumni, and Qualcomm, Amazon, and Apple all employ 500+ each. The median early career salary is $65,000 across all majors, placing the university in the top 10 public universities in the country. UCSD also fares well in measures of its return-on-investment potential.

Enrollment: 33,096 (undergraduate); 8,386 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $31,830 (in-state); $64,404 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 88%

Columbia University

New York, NY

Academic Highlights: Columbia offers 100+ unique areas of undergraduate study as well as a number of pre-professional and accelerated graduate programs. Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable; however, in 2022, it was revealed that the university had been submitting faulty data in this area. It is presently believed that 58% of undergraduate courses enroll 19 or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (22%), computer science (15%), engineering (14%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Examining the most recent graduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, 73% had found employment within six months, and 20% had entered graduate school. The median starting salary for graduates of Columbia College/Columbia Engineering is above $80,000. Many graduates get hired by the likes of Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Google, Citi, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

Enrollment: 8,832
Cost of Attendance: $89,587

Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME

Academic Highlights: Class sizes are small—64% contain fewer than twenty students—and 21% have fewer than ten students. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1. More than half of Bowdoin undergrads report interacting with a professor outside of regular class time at least once per week. The greatest percentage of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (30%), biology (13%), area/ethnic/gender studies (8%), computer science (7%), and mathematics (7%). Economics and government and legal studies are two of the more popular majors within the social sciences.

Professional Outcomes: An examination of three recent years’ worth of outcomes data reveals that one year after graduation, between 73 and 77% of recent grads have found full-time employment, and 15% have gone directly into graduate school. Of those entering graduate school, 48% were enrolled in master’s programs, 23% in PhD programs, 13% in law school, and 8% in med school. The top twenty graduate schools attended, by volume, in the last five years make an exclusive list including six Ivies along with Duke, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford.

Enrollment: 1,915
Cost of Attendance: $82,600
Median SAT: 1510

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can choose from 74 bachelor’s degree programs in a number of schools and colleges, the largest of which is the College of Arts & Sciences. 44% of classes have a student enrollment under 20. The social sciences (15%), biology (12%), media/journalism (9%), computer science (8%), and business (6%) are the areas in which the most degrees are conferred. The Kenan-Flager Business School is internationally renowned and requires separate admission. Other strong programs include those in chemistry, journalism, psychology, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Chapel Hill, 97% of 2022 grads had entered employment, military service, or graduate school. Among the for-profit companies that hire the most graduates are Wells Fargo, IBM, Cisco, Deloitte, EY, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. In the nonprofit sector, a large number of alumni are employed by AmeriCorps, NIH, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps. The average starting salary is $70,619. 18% of 2022 grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school.

Enrollment: 20,210 (undergraduate); 11,739 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $27,036 (in-state); $60,040 (out-of-state)
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 17%

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources, and the Haas School of Business. Many departments have top international reputations including computer science, engineering, chemistry, English, psychology, and economics. 22% of sections contain nine or fewer students, and over 55% of students assist faculty with a research project or complete a research methods course.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 49% of Cal’s Class of 2022 had already secured employment, and 20% were headed to graduate school. Business is the most popular sector, attracting 62% of employed grads; next up are industrial (17%), education (8%), and nonprofit work (7%). The median starting salary was $86,459 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, and Meta, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

Enrollment: 32,831 (undergraduate); 12,914 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $48,574 (in-state); $82,774 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 11%

Yale University

New Haven, CT

Academic Highlights: Yale offers 80 majors, most of which require a one- to two-semester senior capstone experience. Undergraduate research is a staple, and over 70% of classes—of which there are over 2,000 to choose from—have an enrollment of fewer than 20 students, making Yale a perfect environment for teaching and learning. Among the top departments are biology, economics, global affairs, engineering, history, and computer science. The social sciences (26%), biology (11%), mathematics (8%), and computer science (8%) are the most popular areas of concentration.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduating, 73% of the Yale Class of 2022 had entered the world of employment and 18% matriculated into graduate programs. Hundreds of Yale alums can be found at each of the world’s top companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. The most common industries entered by the newly hired were finance (20%), research/education (16%), technology (14%), and consulting (12%). The mean starting salary for last year’s grads was $81,769 ($120k for CS majors). Nearly one-fifth of students immediately pursue graduate school.

Enrollment: 6,590 (undergraduate); 5,344 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $87,705

Brown University

Providence, RI

Academic Highlights: Students must choose one of 80+ “concentration programs,” but there are no required courses. Class sizes tend to be small—68% have fewer than twenty students—and 35% are comprised of nine or fewer students. Biology, economics, computer science, mathematics, and engineering are among the most popular areas of concentration at Brown; however, it is hard to distinguish any one program, because Brown possesses outstanding offerings across so many disciplines.

Professional Outcomes: Soon after receiving their Brown diplomas, 69% of graduates enter the world of employment. Companies employing the greatest number of Brown alums include Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Apple, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company. The Class of 2022 saw 27% of graduates go directly into graduate/professional school. Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school.

Enrollment: 7,639
Cost of Attendance: $84,828
Median SAT: 1530

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH

Academic Highlights: Dartmouth sports 60+ majors and a stunning breadth of course selections for an institution of its size. The learning environment at Dartmouth is extraordinarily intimate. Not only do 61% of course sections have under twenty students, but 18% have single-digit enrollments. The student-to-faculty ratio is an outstanding 7:1. Top programs offered by Big Green include biology, economics, neuroscience, and government. The social sciences are the most popular, accounting for 32% of degrees conferred, followed by computer science (10%), mathematics (9%), engineering (9%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: A great reputation along with a passionate alumni network that is 80,000 strong leads Dartmouth grads to successful transitions into graduate school and the world of work. Included in the top ten employers of Dartmouth grads are a number of investment banks including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bain & Company, Citibank, and Deutsche Bank. Right off the bat, 52% of graduates make more than $70,000 in salary. Those pursuing graduate degrees often flock to the likes of Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton.

Enrollment: 4,458
Cost of Attendance: $87,793

Pomona College

Claremont, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 48 majors and minors to select from with the most popular being social sciences (23%), biology (13%), and computer science (12%). Majors in economics, international relations, chemistry, and mathematics receive especially high marks. More than 600 courses are on the menu at Pomona alone, but students can access any of the Claremont Consortium’s 2,700 courses. Pomona’s 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio leads to an average class size of only 15 students, and over 50% of the undergraduate population conduct research alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: 71% of the Class of 2022 were employed within six months of graduating. Overall, the largest number of alumni can be found at Google, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Recently, economics degree-earners have landed jobs at Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, or Accenture. Majors in the hard sciences frequently landed at top research laboratories and hospitals. Of the 21% of 2022 grads who were accepted directly into graduate school, the most frequently attended institutions included the University of Cambridge, Duke, Harvard, Caltech, UChicago, and Stanford.

Enrollment: 1,761
Cost of Attendance: $88,296

Carleton College

Northfield, MN

Academic Highlights: Students work closely with their professors, and the college is routinely rated atop lists of best undergraduate teaching institutions. Small classes are the norm with the average being only sixteen students. It offers 33 majors, the most popular of which are within the disciplines of the social sciences (19%), the physical sciences (14%), biology (11%), computer science (11%), mathematics (10%), and psychology (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Target, Epic Systems, Google, Wells Fargo, and Amazon all employ large numbers of graduates. Carleton is a breeding ground for future scholars as a ridiculously high number of graduates go on to earn PhDs. In fact, by percentage, Carleton is one of the top five producers in the country of future PhDs. They produce an incredible number of doctoral degree holders in the areas of economics, math, political science, sociology, chemistry, physics, biology, and history.

Enrollment: 2,034
Cost of Attendance: $82,167

Davidson College

Davidson, NC

Academic Highlights: With its small size, the impressive part of the college is the exceptional quality of its offerings, not the breadth of them, as only 37 majors are available. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, which allows the college to ensure that 62% have fewer than twenty students and 24% have enrollments you can count on two hands. Overall, the average number of students per class is only 18. Top programs at Davidson include psychology, political science, chemistry, and English; biology is also quite popular, accounting for 12% of degrees conferred in 2022.

Professional Outcomes: Looking at the outcomes data for 2022 grads, 70% landed jobs within six months of graduation, 26% were enrolled in a graduate program, and 3% were still seeking employment. Of those who attended grad school, the highest number were in healthcare-related programs (including MDs), law school, and laboratory sciences. Significant numbers of students pursue advanced degrees at other Southern gems including Vanderbilt, Emory, Duke, Wake Forest, and UNC.

Enrollment: 1,927
Cost of Attendance: $76,450
Median SAT: 1430
Retention Rate: 94%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Academic Highlights : Northwestern is home to six undergraduate schools, including Medill, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s best journalism schools. The McCormick School of Engineering also achieves top rankings, along with programs in economics, social policy, and theatre. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred (19%), followed by communications/journalism (13%), and engineering (11%). 45% of classes have nine or fewer students enrolled; 78% have fewer than twenty enrollees. 57% of recent grads had the chance to conduct undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 69% of the Class of 2022 had found employment and 27% were in graduate school. The four most popular professional fields were consulting (18%), engineering (18%), business/finance (16%), and communications/marketing/media (13%). Employers included the BBC, NBC News, The Washington Post , NPR, Boeing, Google, IBM, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Northrop Grumman, and Goldman Sachs. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $73k. Of those headed straight to graduate school, engineering, medicine, and business were the three most popular areas of concentration.

Enrollment: 8,659 (undergraduate); 14,073 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $91,290

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Academic Highlights: This midsize university offers a diverse array of majors (80+) and minors (60+), and 30% of Emory students pursue more than one area of study. Over half of Emory’s student body works directly with a faculty member on academic research and 58% of courses have class sizes of under twenty students. Ultimately, the greatest number of students go on to earn degrees in the social sciences (15%), biology (14%), business (14%), health professions (12%), and mathematics (9%).

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduation, 66% of 2022 grads were already employed, and 96% had arrived at their next destination. The top employers of recent Emory grads include Deloitte, Epic, ScribeAmerica, Meta, Morgan Stanley, and Cloudmed. Graduates of the Goizueta Business School found strong starting salaries with an average of $81k. In the last few years, multiple Emory grads/alums received acceptance letters from the following top law schools like Columbia, Berkeley, and Georgetown. Med school acceptances included Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Vanderbilt.

Enrollment: 7,101
Cost of Attendance: $83,702
Graduation Rate: 90%

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA

Academic Highlights: Grinnell offers 42 areas of study and over 500 courses each semester. Thanks to a 9:1 student/faculty ratio and no competition from graduate students, 64% of classes have fewer than twenty students, and roughly one-quarter of sections have single-digit student enrollments. A top producer of PhDs in both the sciences and the social sciences, Grinnell has strong offerings in biology, chemistry, physics, economics, and history. The largest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences, foreign languages, biology, and computer science.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, 62% of Grinnell students head into the workforce, 26% to graduate school, 2% to postgraduate service, and 2% earned fellowships. Multiple recent grads accepted positions with JPMorgan, Epic, and Google. The mean salary of those employed was roughly $64,397. Close to 40% of those entering graduate school pursue PhDs or master’s degrees in the hard sciences, 8% head to law school, and 3% were bound for medical school; 88% of all applicants were accepted into their first or second choice program.

Enrollment: 1,759
Cost of Attendance: $82,890
Median SAT: 1460

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 90 undergraduate majors across three schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Creative Studies. The social sciences are the most popular area of study, accounting for 27% of the total degrees conferred. Biology (10%), math (9%), and psychology (9%) are next in popularity. The school has highly regarded programs in communication, computer science, engineering, physics, environmental science, and the performing arts. More than half of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and 72% enroll 29 or fewer.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of earning their diplomas, 84% of grads had found employment. The most popular industries were science/research (16%), engineering/computer programming (14%), business (13%), finance/accounting (11%), and sales (10%). Top employers of recent grads include Google, EY, KPMG, Oracle, Amazon, IBM, and Adobe. Many alumni also can be found at Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Two years after graduating, UCSB alumni make an average salary of $55k; more than half make $100k by mid-career.

Enrollment: 23,460 (undergraduate); 2,961 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $41,289 (in-state); $73,863 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 92%
Graduation Rate: 86%

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

Academic Highlights: 75 majors are offered across six undergraduate colleges: the School of Architecture, the College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza School of Business (one of the country’s best business schools), the College of Engineering, the Keough School of Global Affairs, and the College of Science. In 2022, the most degrees were conferred in business (20%), the social sciences (18%), engineering (12%), and biology (8%). A solid 60% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 15% have single-digit numbers. 75% of Notre Dame undergrads study abroad.

Professional Outcomes: 69% of 2022 grads directly entered the world of employment, with the most common industries being financial services (21%), consulting (17%), technology (12%), and health services (9%). Massive numbers of alumni can be found at Deloitte, EY, PwC, IBM, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and McKinsey & Co. The median early-career salary was $76,000. Of the 20% of grads who went directly into their graduate/professional studies, 18% were pursuing medical degrees and 9% were studying law.

Enrollment: 8,971 (undergraduate); 4,134 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $86,125
Acceptance Rate: 13%

Rice University

Houston, TX

Academic Highlights : Rice offers more than 50 majors across six broad disciplines: engineering, architecture, music, social science, humanities, and natural science. Programs in biology, biochemistry, cognitive science, and music are incredibly strong, while the School of Architecture and the George R. Brown School of Engineering are among the highest-ranking schools in their disciplines. One-third of computer science majors are female, almost twice the national average. Class sizes are ideally small with 66% containing fewer than 20 students and a median class size of only fourteen.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 88% of Rice grads have found careers or a graduate school home. Companies that employ many recent grads include Deloitte, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Google, and Microsoft. Over one hundred alumni are also current employees of companies such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Amazon, Accenture, and Meta. Across all majors, the average starting salary is $73k. One-third of graduates move directly into graduate or professional school, with Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, and Berkeley being the most popular destinations.

Enrollment: 4,494 (undergraduate); 4,178 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $78,278
Median SAT: 35

Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, MO

Academic Highlights : WashU admits students into five schools, many of which offer nationally recognized programs: Arts & Sciences, the Olin School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the Art of Architecture programs housed within the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (13%), social sciences (13%), business (13%), biology (11%), and psychology (10%). 66% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and over one-quarter have single-digit enrollments. 65% double major or pursue a minor.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 sent 52% of grads into the workforce and 28% into graduate and professional schools. Companies employing the highest number of WashU grads feature sought-after employers such as Amazon, Bain, Boeing, Deloitte, Google, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and Microsoft. Of the employed members of the Class of 2022 who reported their starting salaries, 79% made more than $60k. The universities welcoming the largest number of Bears included the prestigious institutions of Caltech, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Stanford.

Enrollment: 8,132 (undergraduate); 8,880 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $83,760

University of Washington – Seattle

Seattle, WA

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.

Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
Median SAT: 1420
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Graduation Rate: 84%

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

Academic Highlights: Undergrads can study within one of seven colleges/schools, which all offer many small classes; 15% boast single-digit enrollment and 48% contain 19 or fewer students. The McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have glowing reputations. Other notable strengths include computer science, economics, and political philosophy, policy, and law. The most popular degree areas are liberal arts/general studies (22%), the social sciences (14%), engineering (11%), business/marketing (8%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their degree, 95% of the Class of 2022 immediately joined the workforce–with an average starting salary of $90k–or headed directly to graduate school. The most popular industries were internet & software, higher education, and management consulting. Capital One (85), Deloitte (46), Amazon (38), and Bain & Co. (26) scooped up the greatest number of 2022 grads. UVA itself was the most popular grad school destination followed by Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Johns Hopkins.

Enrollment: 17,496 (undergraduate); 8,653 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $39,494-49,874 (in-state); $78,214-90,378 (out-of-state)
Median SAT: 1470
Acceptance Rate: 19%

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Madison, WI

Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, including the top-ranked School of Business and College of Engineering as well as the College of Letters and Science, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Schools of Nursing, Education, Pharmacy, and Human Ecology. Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 44% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Business (18%), biology (12%), the social sciences (11%), and engineering (10%) are most popular.

Professional Outcomes: In a recent year, 46% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer. Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, Kohl’s, Oracle, Deloitte, and UW Health. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Target, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, PwC, Accenture, and Meta. 28% of recent grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school; the majority stayed at UW–Madison while others headed to Columbia, Northwestern, and Carnegie Mellon. The university is the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

Enrollment: 37,230 (undergraduate); 12,656 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $28,916 (in-state); $58,912 (out-of-state)
Median SAT: 1440
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Graduation Rate: 89%

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon. Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.

Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 18%

University of California, Davis

Academic Highlights: UC Davis offers 100+ undergraduate majors across four schools: the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Letters and Science. 50% engage in some type of research/creative project outside the classroom. The areas of study with the largest number of degrees awarded were biology, the social sciences, psychology, and engineering. Programs in engineering, computer science, and animal science are nationally renowned.

Professional Outcomes: Many recent grads found homes at Silicon Valley or other California-based employers. Corporations employing 200 or more Aggies include Genentech, Google, Apple, Cisco, Meta, Oracle, Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and LinkedIn. Ten years out of school, median earnings rise to $112k. Within one year of graduating, 39% of Aggies elect to continue their education; the most popular degrees pursued are master’s, MDs or other health doctorates, law, and MBA/MPA.

Enrollment: 31,797 (undergraduate); 9,053 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $41,389 (in-state); $73,963 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 42%
Graduation Rate: 87%

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Academic Highlights: Three schools serve Tufts’ undergraduate population: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. The three schools combined offer more than 90 majors and minors; approximately one-third of all students double major, and half declare a minor. 15% of all courses see fewer than ten students enrolled, and 60% have sub-twenty enrollments. The most popular majors include international relations, economics, computer science, political science, and biology—all of which receive very high marks.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after earning their diplomas, 97% of 2022 graduates were employed or attending graduate school. The most commonly entered fields were finance, consulting, real estate (23%); engineering and technology (22%); health, life sciences, environmental (21%); and education, advocacy, social services (11%). Prolific employers of Tufts alums include Booz Allen Hamilton, JPMorgan, MITRE, Google, Deloitte, Amazon, Raytheon, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock. Of the 21% of 2022 grads who went directly to graduate school, 85% were accepted into their first-choice institution.

Enrollment: 6,815 (undergraduate); 6,616 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $88,300
Acceptance Rate: 10%

Macalester College

St. Paul, MN

Academic Highlights: Students can choose from roughly 40 majors and over 800 courses that are offered each academic year . Being an undergraduate-only institution, Macalester students enjoy the full benefits of the school’s 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The average class size is only 17 students, and 14% of class sections have single-digit enrollments. Macalester possesses strong offerings across many different disciplines. Programs in economics, international studies, and mathematics are among the best anywhere.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 95% of the Macalester Class of 2022 had found employment, graduate school, or a fellowship. Employers of recent grads include ABC News, Google, Goldman Sachs, Dow Chemical Company, McKinsey & Company, the ACLU, the National Cancer Institute, and National Geographic . Across all sectors, the average starting salary for recent grads was above $62k. Sixty percent of Mac grads pursue an advanced degree within six years of earning their bachelor’s.

Enrollment: 2,175
Cost of Attendance: $79,890
Retention Rate: 88%

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Academic Highlights: Four of Vandy’s ten schools cater to undergrads: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Blair School of Music, the Peabody College of Education and Human Development, and the School of Engineering. In the 2022-23 school year, 87% of course sections contained 19 or fewer students. Of the 70 undergraduate majors, economics, politics and government, and neuroscience are the most popular. The School of Engineering has a strong national reputation as do offerings in biology, economics, education, and music.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 96% of the Class of 2021 were employed or in graduate school. The most commonly entered industry was finance followed by technology, consulting, education, and engineering. Alumni can be found in droves at Capital One, Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Meta. Among 2022 alumni who directly pursued advanced degrees, the majority enrolled at Vanderbilt followed by Columbia, Harvard, Penn, NYU, and Northwestern.

Enrollment: 7,151 (undergraduate); 6,559 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $89,590

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

Academic Highlights: Pitt admits freshmen to the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the Swanson School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing. Pitt’s engineering and business schools are top-rated and among the most commonly chosen fields of study. Premed offerings are also top-notch, with majors in the health professions (12%), biology (11%), psychology (9%), and computer science (9%) rounding out the list of most popular majors. Pitt has a strong 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio; 42% of sections have an enrollment of under twenty students.

Professional Outcomes: Within a few months of graduating, 94% of 2022 grads entered full-time employment or full-time graduate or professional school. Engineering, nursing, business, and information sciences majors had 73-86% employment rates while other majors tended to flock to graduate school in large numbers. Employers scooping up the highest number of grads in one recent year included the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (170), PNC (57), BNY Mellon (36), and Deloitte (19). Median starting salaries fluctuated between $37k-65k depending on major.

Enrollment: 20,220 (undergraduate); 9,268 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $38,034-$43,254 (in-state); $56,400-$66,840 (out-of-state)
Median SAT: 1360
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 50%

Reed College

Portland, OR

Academic Highlights: Twenty-six academic departments collectively offer 38 majors, 13 of which are interdisciplinary. English, math, and physics receive particularly strong praise. The educational experience is highly personalized, and to ensure that the emphasis in the classroom remains on learning for learning’s sake, grades are issued but not shared with students until graduation. The areas in which the highest number of degrees are conferred are the social sciences (22%), biology (11%), the health professions (9%), and the physical sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: An examination of Reed’s alumni database reveals that the three most common occupational pathways are business (28%), education (25%), and self-employment (19%). Included among the most frequent current employers are Microsoft Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, Portland Public Schools, Intel Corporation, the US Department of State, National Institutes of Health, and Apple. An incredible amount of Reedies continue their education; Reed was the No. 6 producer of future PhD holders across all academic disciplines.

Enrollment: 1,523 (undergraduate); 11 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $86,040
Median SAT: 1410
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 80%

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

Academic Highlights: U of R’s 160 undergraduate programs offer a rigorous yet flexible educational experience at a small liberal arts college within a renowned research institution. 66% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and an impressive 77% of students are involved in undergraduate research. The Eastman School of Music is one of the best music conservatories in the United States, and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences is a top 50 institution. Other strong majors include mathematics, economics, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after receiving their diplomas, 97% of Class of 2022 grads had achieved positive outcomes with 57% employed and a notably high 38% already pursuing an advanced degree. Popular industries included internet and software (14%), healthcare (14%), and investment banking (6%). Top employers of 2022 grads included Google, Goldman Sachs, Epic Systems, and Deloitte. The average starting salary for the most recent cohort of grads was an impressive $82,325; that figure was over $105k for graduates of the Hajim School of Engineering.

Enrollment: 6,767 (undergraduate); 5,430 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $85,858
Acceptance Rate: 39%

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA

Academic Highlights: Brandeis offers 43 majors, the most popular of which are in the social sciences (18%), biology (17%), business (10%), psychology (8%), public administration (8%), and computer science (7%). The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 60% of courses contain nineteen or fewer students. Departments with a particularly strong national reputation include economics, international studies, and sociology as well as all of the traditional premed pathways including biology, and chemistry.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 98% of the Class of 2022 had found their way to employment (59%), graduate school (35%), or another full-time activity like travel or volunteer work (4%). Members of the Class of 2022 were hired by Red Hat, Deloitte, Nasdaq, NPR, and McKinsey & Company. The average starting salary for recent grads is $61k. A large contingent of grads elects to continue at Brandeis for graduate school. Many others go to BU, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, and Yale.

Enrollment: 3,687
Cost of Attendance: $86,242
Retention Rate: 91%

Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.

Academic Highlights: The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and 60% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students. While some classes are a bit larger, only 7% cross the 50-student threshold. Those desiring to join the world of politics or diplomacy are in the right place. The Government and International Affairs programs are among the best in the country. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (38%) followed by business (20%), interdisciplinary studies (8%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 75% of members of the Class of 2022 entered the workforce, 19% went directly into a graduate or professional program of study, and 3% were still seeking employment. The Class of 2022 sent massive numbers of graduates to a number of major corporations including JPMorgan Chase (22), Citi (21), BOA (18), Morgan Stanley (16), and EY (10). Those attending grad school stay at Georgetown or flock to other elite schools like Columbia and Harvard.

Enrollment: 7,900
Cost of Attendance: $85,000
Acceptance Rate: 12%

College of William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

Academic Highlights: Forty undergraduate programs are available and William & Mary has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Class sizes are rarely tiny seminars, but 44% do enroll fewer than twenty students, and only 9% contain more than fifty. Among the college’s most notable academic programs are (1) government and (2) international relations, both of which serve as pipelines to Washington, DC, employers. The Mason School of Business is highly regarded in the corporate world. The social sciences (20%) and biology (11%) are also popular.

Professional Outcomes: 52% of the most cohort joined the workforce, and 36% entered graduate school within six months of graduation. Over 500 employers snatched up at least one member of the Tribe. Companies hiring at least four 2020 grads included Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG, and Deloitte. Many of those opting for immediate entry into graduate school stayed at their alma mater and the next most frequented universities included Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago.

Enrollment: 6,797
Cost of Attendance: $39,595 (In-State); $63,967 (Out-of-State)
Acceptance Rate: 33%

University of Southern California

Academic Highlights : There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.

Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $90,921

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Academic Highlights: Sporting a 9:1 faculty-to-student ratio, the university does a nice job keeping classes on the small side, with 50% of course sections capped at nineteen and only 13% of courses having fifty students or more. The Weatherhead School of Management and the Case School of Engineering have stellar reputations within the worlds of employment and academia. Engineering is the most commonly conferred undergraduate degree at 27% followed by biology (15%), computer science (10%), and health professions (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Fifty-six percent of 2022 CWRU graduates head into the world of professional employment upon receiving their diplomas; only 3% were still looking for work six months after leaving the university. More than half of the Class of 2022 enjoyed a starting salary of at least $65,000. The employers of the greatest number of graduates included Accenture, Microsoft, Deloitte, and Google. In 2022, four or more grads were accepted to continue their studies at the likes of NYU, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, WashU, and the University of Michigan.

Enrollment: 6,017
Cost of Attendance: $88,516
Median SAT: 1480
Acceptance Rate: 27%

University of California, Irvine

Academic Highlights: UCI offers eighty undergrad programs as well as many opportunities for personal connection; 56% of all sections enroll 19 or fewer students and over 60% of students conduct a research project. The most commonly conferred degrees are the social sciences (16%), business (12%), psychology (11%), and biology (9%). The Samueli School of Engineering has a solid reputation as does the Bren School, the only independent computer science school in the UC system. Programs in public health and biological sciences earn very high marks.

Professional Outcomes: Accounting, aerospace, internet and software, K-12 education, real estate, and retail are among the industries attracting the greatest number of Anteaters. Companies employing large numbers of recent grads include Boeing, the Walt Disney Company, Google, EY, and Microsoft. Hundreds of alumni are also found at Kaiser Permanente, Meta, Apple, Edwards Lifesciences, and Deloitte. The median salary is $69,000, with CS grads earning close to $120k right off the bat. UCI has a very strong reputation for premed.

Enrollment: 28,661 (undergraduate); 7,275 (graduate)
Cost of Attendance: $40,202 (in-state); $72,776 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 26%

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Key searches, meet mika ishii: 2024 undergraduate student speaker and global health graduate.

Mika Ishii earns her Bachelor of Science in Global Health and minor in Natural Sciences from USC.

(Photo courtesy Mika Ishii)

“Every “first” that year felt really special!”’~Mika Ishii

In 2020, Mika Ishii started her freshman year online, signing-in from her hometown in Hawaii. “All my classes were on Zoom, and it was really difficult—especially with the time difference,” she says. Ishii, a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship , initially started at USC as an economics major and outside of class, she joined the USC Trojan Marching Band as a member of the alto saxophone section. “I was able to meet really great friends through this experience and it gave me a sense of community during the pandemic,” she explains.

The following year, Ishii relocated to Los Angeles and began her sophomore year at University Park Campus—which she says felt more like her freshman year. She moved into the residential college suites and finally put a face to the names of students she had met virtually the prior year. “It was nice to meet everybody for the first time and talk to them in-person,” she recalls. “Whether it was watching football games with my friends and witnessing school spirit or playing with the Trojan Marching Band at a basketball game and hearing that sound live—every “first” that year felt really special.”

On campus, she switched her major. “The moment I took Dr. Wipfli’s class ‘Introduction to Global Health’, I knew that global health was the right major for me, and I decided to pursue a career in medicine,” she reveals. “I have really enjoyed combining the social and natural sciences and taking courses ranging from international relations and economics to health promotion. They have provided me with a way to see different aspects of the world—whether that’s connecting economic trends or learning about globalization and policy, I learned how systemic issues can affect health,” she remarks.

During her time at USC, Ishii participated in the USC GRIT Lab led by Director of Undergraduate Programs Heather Wipfli, PhD , where she conducted drowning prevention research in Uganda. “What drew me to this work is the fact that I’m from Hawaii and we’re surrounded by the ocean, so I’ve grown up understanding how important it is to learn about swimming and water safety,” she affirms. “I have taken so many classes with Dr. Wipfli and have learned so much from conducting research with her. She has really inspired me as a mentor. The same is also true for Dr. Panayiota Courelli who has helped me with career development and given me great advice.”

Outside the program, Ishii was involved in the USC Undergraduate Student Government for four years. In her role as associate director for the performing, visual arts, and cultural funds, she helped students finance a variety of projects from theatre productions to cultural events. “This experience is something I really enjoyed because students may otherwise not have been able to produce events for their communities. It’s been my way to help the larger Trojan family,” she says.

Ishii has also been involved with several organizations volunteering her time and efforts to the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children, Medicinal Music Makers, and tutoring other students in the global health program. “What I am most proud of during my time here is being able to impact people, whether that has been on campus or across the greater Los Angeles area.”

Away from USC, Ishii interned at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center looking at cancer disparities through clinical trials. “I became interested in this research because of its global health focus. It provided me an opportunity to apply what I had learned at USC, through my research and statistics classes, to a real-life study,” she indicates.

After graduation, Ishii intends to conduct research before applying to medical school. Thereafter, she hopes to address health disparities in her community in Hawaii. “I want to make a positive impact on the world and hope to use the knowledge that I gained in this program to help those across the islands where there are not enough healthcare workers or doctors,” she maintains.

Looking back on the last four years she reflects, “this program is really great, and it has wonderful faculty, staff, and students who all share a similar goal of making a positive impact on the world.” She advises other students to find the joy in life and appreciate the little moments, because it goes by so fast. She concludes by saying, “take what you receive from this program and give back to your own community—because I think that is really important!”

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Excellence by Design: Science Illustration grad rises to top of her field as visual storyteller

Butterfly illustration by Science Illustration Program graduate Taylor Maggiacomo

Monarch butterfly artwork by Taylor Maggiacomo from the annual Illustrating Nature exhibit of Science Illustration Program student work.

May 13, 2024

Illustrating Nature 2024 , the annual exhibit of work by graduates of Cal State Monterey Bay's Science Illustration Program, will open from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

By Kera Abraham

When Taylor Maggiacomo arrived in Monterey to start the CSUMB Science Illustration program in 2016, she informed her new housemates she’d be moving in with “a friend” — and adopted a black-and-white cat from a local animal shelter that same day. Oreo is still with her seven years later, making cameos during her video meetings as a graphics editor for The New York Times.

“I’ve been a cat lady since birth,” Maggiacomo says from her home office in Washington, D.C. “Most of my early drawings were of cats.”

Although she was artistic and scientifically curious from an early age, Maggiacomo initially took her parents’ advice to pursue a career in medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in art from Carnegie Mellon University. But a few years into college, she realized she didn’t want to become a doctor. She asked her advisers how she could combine her passions for science and art.

“They didn’t know what to do with me,” she says.

A new possibility opened up when Maggiacomo met a science illustrator at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Inspired, she connected with others in the field, including Daisy Chung, who had completed CSUMB’s Science Illustration graduate certificate program in 2015.

Chung remembers their first conversation.

“She left an impression on me as someone who was eager to learn, grow and try new things,” she recalls. “I was excited to meet a budding illustrator who was interested in the CSUMB program that I’d just graduated from.”

Maggiacomo followed in Chung’s footsteps, enrolling in CSUMB’s post-baccalaureate Science Illustration Certificate Program, which includes nine months of in-person classes followed by a professional internship.

Read the full story in Monterey Bay Magazine

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Graduate Program: Biology

UCLA's Graduate Program in Biology offers the following degree(s):

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With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

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School of Pharmacy

Power of 2: Dr. Judy Weng’s PharmD and PhD Journey

May 14, 2024

“If I were to do it all over again, I would choose Chapman,” she says. “Being a smaller school, Chapman offers world-class education in a supportive and welcoming environment. One of the best parts of being a student at Chapman is the access to your professors. The professors know you by name, are approachable and go the extra mile to help you succeed.”

Dr. Weng’s journey through academia is a unique one- She is the first person to graduate through APEx (2017), Doctor of Pharmacy (2020), and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2023), all through Chapman University School of Pharmacy.

It wasn’t Dr. Weng’s initial idea to pursue her PhD, especially not directly after receiving her first doctoral degree. “I entered pharmacy school thinking I would end up being a community pharmacist at CVS,” she says, “I was interested in pursuing something in healthcare that would allow me to educate others, but not physically touch the patient. Pharmacy fit into that criteria perfectly.” Despite initially envisioning a career in retail pharmacy, her path took an unexpected turn in between the summer she finished her APEx program and when she began her PharmD in 2017. With the guidance of her APEx advisor, Dr. Weng inquired with Dr. Ajay Sharma ‘s lab if there were any opportunities for her to become involved in research. She worked in Dr. Sharma’s lab all of that summer, and on and off throughout her time as a PharmD student when her class and work schedule allowed.

During the final year of her PharmD education, she had the opportunity to do an APPE research rotation with Dr. Sharma. “With the research rotation, I was in the laboratory 8 hours a day for 6 full weeks.”

Over the years, Dr. Weng began carrying out her own experiments in Dr. Sharma’s lab. Her depth of technical and practical knowledge in wet lab research was formed through the mentorship of Dr. Sharma and his own passion for student success. For her capstone project, Dr. Weng had the opportunity to present research in Honolulu, Hawaii on corneal crystallins at the annual Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) conference. “I am forever grateful to Dr. Sharma for his support and mentorship during my time at CUSP and will cherish the memories of my time spent in his laboratory.”

It was during her time with Dr. Sharma’s lab during her APPE rotation that she realized she had a true passion for research, and applied for the PhD program. “Pursuing a PhD was a really rewarding experience, because it allowed me to strengthen my presenting, scientific writing, and critical thinking skills. In addition, I had the incredible opportunity to conduct experiments in the laboratory with cutting-edge technology and present my findings to world-renowned scientists at conferences.”

Obtaining a PharmD prepares students for a career as pharmacists in clinical settings, and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences prepares students for research-based careers in drug discovery and development, but what doors does having both a PharmD and PhD open? “Both degrees open doors for countless career paths, but having both a PharmD and PhD allows me to utilize my clinical background and scientific critical thinking skills to identify clinically-relevant issues and conduct research aimed at solving these problems.” For Dr. Weng, those two degrees landed her a position as an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Marshall B. Ketchum University College of Pharmacy.

Growing up in a family of teachers, education was always a path Dr. Weng considered. Throughout high school, she tutored at her school’s after school tutoring center in a range of topics including biology and algebra, and even won two awards for her outstanding support. “My students told me that I have a talent for explaining hard concepts in a way that is easy to understand.” Throughout the APEx program and her doctoral programs, Dr. Weng continued to support student learning, and eventually completed the Teaching Certificate program through CUSP and was appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy for the PharmD program.

Dr. Judy Weng has certainly left her mark on Chapman University. From founding the Chinese American Pharmacists Student Association, engaging in research and leadership roles, and advocating for diverse career pathways, Dr. Weng seized every chance to expand her horizons. Now serving as a faculty member at Marshall B. Ketchum University, she’s ready to take her dedication to teaching to the next level and pay forward the attention, respect, and mentorship her CUSP faculty gave her. “As a faculty member, I am excited to educate future pharmacists and continue to conduct research on the ocular surface. I aim to continue my love for learning while developing invaluable skills as a teacher, health care provider and researcher.”

“Chapman has been my home for the last 8 years and I am so proud to be a Chapman alumni.”

Dr. Sumbria Honored as a 2024 Woman of Distinction

April 10, 2024 by Luke O'Connell | Faculty

In honor of Women’s History Month, Dr. Rachita Sumbria was awarded the 2024 Chapman University Woman of Distinction Award. Selected as one of four faculty to win the award, a total of 12 faculty, students, alumni, and staff were chosen carefully based on demonstration of leadership, impactful contributions to the advancement of women, and service

Dean Ostrom Provides Expertise for Verywell Health

April 19, 2024 by Luke O'Connell | Pharmacy News

Dean Ren Ostrom recently provided his expertise in Verywell Health, a publication that reaches over 300 million readers annually. Dr. Ostrom discussed at length the implications of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine regarding the necessity of beta-blockers for heart attack patients with preserved heart function. Dr. Ostrom emphasized the

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Ph.D. Program
The philosophy of the PhD program, along with the Affiliated Ph.D. Program with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, is to provide world-class research training in the basic biological sciences to equip a diverse group of trainees for a variety of scientific careers ranging from academia and industry to education, communication, or policy.
Doctoral Program
The Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley offers a Ph.D. program focused on the molecular mechanisms inherent to life. This program integrates research with a modern training curricula, teaching, and career mentorship. Our Department is highly interdisciplinary - comprising the Divisions of Cell Biology, Development & Physiology,
Ph.D. Program
The Biology Ph.D. program is part of the larger Biosciences community at Stanford, which includes doctorate programs in the basic science departments at Stanford Medical School. There are two tracks within the Biology Ph.D. program: Cell, Molecular and Organismal Biology. Ecology and Evolution. (Previously a part of the Department of Biology ...
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Tetrad) (PhD)
The program places special emphasis on modern approaches within three core and interrelated areas listed below. The research conducted under the Tetrad umbrella encompasses a wide range of structural, molecular, cellular, physiological, and pathophysiological questions. The Tetrad program was among the first graduate programs nationwide to ...
Doctoral Programs
The goal of UCI's program in Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology (MCSB) is to provide students from a variety of academic backgrounds with doctoral training suitable for research careers in the nascent field of Systems Biology. The program emphasizes in-depth classroom study, interdisciplinary research rotations, and ...
Molecular & Cell Biology PhD
The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology offers a program of graduate study leading to the PhD in molecular and cell biology. This program provides advanced training in the research methods and concepts of the study of the molecular structures and processes of cellular life. The training is intellectually focused, but at the same time ...
Ph.D. Degree in Biological Sciences
The University of California, Irvine offers a multidisciplinary graduate program in Cellular and Molecular BioSciences (CMB). The program provides a unique opportunity for students to choose a research area and dissertation committee from any of six participating departments: Biological Chemistry, Developmental & Cell Biology, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry ...
Doctoral Program
EEB Graduate Student Affairs Office Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 610 Charles E. Young Drive East University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90095-7246. International applicants should review the UCLA Requirements for International Applicants.
Computational Biology PhD
The Computational Biology Graduate Group provides a competitive stipend (the stipend for 2023-24 is $43,363) as well as full payment of fees and non-resident tuition (which includes health care). ... California Residency: You are not considered a resident if you hope to enter our program in the Fall, but have never lived in California before or ...
Biomedical Sciences (PhD)
The Biomedical Sciences (BMS) program is an interdisciplinary graduate research program that equips students with the training and research tools to dissect disease-related biology, from single cells to tissue and organ systems. Students in the BMS program must acquire a level of competence in molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology ...
Molecular Biology
Molecular Biology Graduate Program at UCLA. 172 Boyer Hall. 611 Charles E. Young Drive East. Box 951570. Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570.
The MCB PhD Program
Introduction. Students in the Ph.D. program receive broad training in how biological systems function at the level of nucleic acids and proteins, cells and development, and evolution of populations and species and will receive a PhD in Molecular Biology. Faculty from the Molecular and Computational Biology Section participate in the program ...
Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs. UC Berkeley has many excellent graduate programs. Those in fields related to the biological sciences are listed below. Interested students should visit the Prospective Student page for information about applying to UC Berkeley graduate programs.
PhD Programs
PhD Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS) The goal of PIBBS is to recruit top caliber Ph.D. students in the biomedical and biological sciences to USC and to guide them in the identification of a mentor, lab, and research project that will provide rigorous scientific training, an outstanding Ph.D. thesis, and a strong foundation for a variety of science-related careers.
PhD programmes in Biology in California, United States
The philosophy of the Biology program at the University of California, San Diego, along with the Affiliated Ph.D. Program with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, is to provide world-class research training in the basic biological sciences to equip a diverse group of trainees for a variety of scientific careers ranging from academia and industry to education, communication, or policy.
Top Biology Doctorate Degrees & Graduate Programs in California 2024+
The PhD in Biology degree is an in-depth, research degree and the highest level of education in the field. In most biology PhD programs, students choose a specific area in the biological sciences to anchor their studies. Some of the options might include Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Neurobiology and Computational Biology.
Marine Biology (MB)
Marine Biology (MB) is the study of marine organisms and their relationship with the physical and chemical dynamics of the marine environment. Faculty expertise encompasses several major areas of modern biology including evolutionary, ecological, organismic, physiological, biochemical, and genetic processes of marine animals and microorganisms.
Biological Sciences
Biology Undergraduate Program. Biological Sciences at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) are administered jointly by the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology (EEMB) and the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB). Research and teaching programs cover the full spectrum of biological ...
Welcome
Welcome. Welcome to the Biology@Berkeley website, designed to help current students, prospective students and visitors navigate the wealth of opportunities in the field of Biology at the University of California, Berkeley.
577 PhD programmes in California, United States
17,722 EUR / year. 6 years. The Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies at the University of California, Riverside supports the pursuit of innovative research in the field of cultural, political, and historical studies of dance. Ph.D. / Full-time / On Campus. University of California, Riverside Riverside, California, United States. Ranked top 2%.
Spring 2024
Before coming to UC Berkeley to pursue his PhD and postdoc in computer science with Nir Yosef, he earned two master's degrees: one in computer science and the other in Near Eastern ... Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology 142 Weill Hall #3200 Berkeley, CA 94720-3200. Phone: (510) 643-3406 ...
Integrated Genetics & Genomics Graduate Seminar Series: "Advancing
Perot Saelao, Acting-Research Leader, VPGRU, presents "Advancing Genomic Technologies to Mitigate the Threat of Ticks and Arthropod Vectors Pests". Perot Saelao obtained his PhD from the University of Davis, California. He is a Bioinformatics Researcher and Acting-Research Leader at the Veterinary Pest Genetics Research Unit with Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of ...
50 Best Colleges for Biology
Best Colleges for Biology - we reveal the 50 best biology colleges in the United States in 2024. Profiles of each school are included. ... Oracle, and SpaceX. The average starting salary exceeds $55,000. 16% of recent grads enrolled directly in a graduate/professional school, with other CA-based institutions like Stanford, Pepperdine, USC ...
Meet Mika Ishii: 2024 Undergraduate Student Speaker and Global Health
PhD Programs Master's Programs Professional Degrees Post-Doctoral Researchers CME, Certificate & Undergraduate Programs ... Mika Ishii earns her Bachelor of Science in Global Health and minor in Natural Sciences from USC. Bokie Muigai May 13, 2024 ... CA 90033 Google Map. Phone: (323) 442-1900. Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:00pm PST ...
Excellence by Design
CSUMB Science Illustration Program graduate Taylor Maggiacomo is an award-winning visual storyteller who is at the top of her profession at National Geographic and The New York Times. ... California State University, Monterey Bay Call: 831-582-3000. Visit: 5108 Fourth Avenue, Marina, CA 93933.
Biology
ADDRESS. Biology Graduate Program at UCLA. 114 Hershey Hall, 612 Charles E. Young Drive East. Box 957246. Los Angeles, CA 90095-7246.
Power of 2: Dr. Judy Weng's PharmD and PhD Journey
Power of 2: Dr. Judy Weng's PharmD and PhD Journey. May 14, 2024. ... Orange, CA 92866 (714) 997-6815. Rinker Health Science Campus 9401 Jeronimo Road Irvine, CA 92618 . Get Started. Visit Chapman; View Tuition and Aid; Apply Now; Employment; Discover. Schools and Colleges; Programs at Chapman;
Online Computer Science & Engineering Degrees
A master's degree in computer science is a graduate program focused on advanced concepts in computer science, such as software development, machine learning, data visualization, natural language processing, cybersecurity, and more. At this level, you'll often choose a field to specialize in.. Computer science master's programs build on your technical skill set while strengthening key ...

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University of California, Irvine Student Learning Outcomes for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, PhD

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Molecular & Cell Biology PhD

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Marine Biology (MB)

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