The doctoral program emphasizes empirical and theoretical approaches to biological research. Students are required to integrate basic skills in biology with focal studies in an emphasis area. The program is designed to provide research experience and training appropriate for advanced positions in academic research and teaching, government and public agencies, and industry.

Ph.D. Admission Requirements
Learn how to apply on the Graduate School website.

Applicants from the U.S. must submit completed application and personal data forms, which are available on line at the link above. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members at previously attended colleges or universities, or other people qualified to assess the applicants' capabilities for graduate study, should be sent directly to the UMSL Graduate Admissions Office, 217 Millennium Student Center, One University Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63121-4499. Transcripts of all post-secondary academic work should also be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. In addition, applicants to the Ph.D. program must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical).

Applicants from outside the U.S. must submit completed application and personal data forms, which are available on line at the link above. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members at previously attended colleges or universities, or other people qualified to assess the applicants' capabilities for graduate study, should be sent directly to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, University of Missouri-St. Louis, One University Blvd. (221), 261 Millennium Student Center, St. Louis, MO 63121-4499. Transcripts of all post-secondary academic work should also be sent to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. In addition, applicants to the Ph.D. program must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical).

Admission normally requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in biology and 3.0 overall, as well as an appropriate background for graduate work in biology, including courses in genetics, biochemistry, evolution, organic chemistry, college physics, and calculus. Statistics is strongly recommended.

All foreign applicants, except those from countries where English is the primary language, must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Examination. The minimal TOEFL score is 550 (paper based test), or 213 (computer based test), or 80 (internet based test). The University requires all incoming foreign students to take an English language exam during orientation week and may require additional courses in English during the first year of graduate study.

Applications to graduate programs are evaluated by the Graduate Committee, which makes recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School for admission. Applicants may be invited for interviews, at the department's expense when at all possible, during February and early March. Students are also encouraged to arrange their own visits to the department at other times.

Students who are interested in the Ph.D. program or Thesis Master's option with an emphasis in the Ecology, Evolution, Systematics program are strongly urged to contact faculty in their field of interest to determine whether there is a mutual interest.  Students who are interested in the Ph.D. program or Thesis Master's option with an emphasis in the Cellular, Molecular Biology program will typically do rotations in the laboratories of interested faculty before choosing a thesis advisor.

Ph.D. degree requirements
University-wide requirements are determined by the Graduate Faculty of UMSL. For a detailed description of these requirements, see the Bulletin. The Ph.D. requires 60 graduate credit hours. At least 30 of the 60 hours must be taken at the 5000 or 6000 level. With the explicit consent of the advisory committee, students may take for graduate credit up to 3 credit hours of 3000 level courses in allied departments. Courses in biology at the 3000 level and below are not available for graduate credit. At least 31 of the 60 hours must be taken while in residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Departmental requirements are determined by the faculty in Biology, and are outlined in the Bulletin.

Qualifying Examination
Students must pass a qualifying examination no later than the end of the summer following their second year. Doctoral students who have earned an M.S. degree previously may be encouraged to take the examination in their first year. The structure of the qualifying exam differs for CMB and EES students; see the program requirements for details. A student who fails to complete the qualifying exam on schedule will be placed on academic probation for the fall term of year three, and risks being dismissed from the graduate program. If the student fails the qualifying exam, he/she will be placed on probation, but will be permitted to take the exam one more time, at the end of the first semester of year three.  

Admission to Candidacy
To be admitted to candidacy, students must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School, which includes passing all qualifying examinations and completing all required course work. Once a student is admitted to candidacy, the student only needs to register for one credit hour for full-time status; this should provide a strong financial incentive to complete the course work and qualifying exam on time.


Dissertation Proposal
All students must present a written dissertation proposal to their dissertation committee and defend it orally no later than the end of the summer following their third year, but preferably earlier. The proposal is not a contract, but is designed to give the student extensive feedback on the design and feasibility of the proposed dissertation project; it will be most valuable if conducted before the student has invested considerable time and money in the project. A student who fails to complete the proposal defense on schedule will be placed on academic probation for one term, and risks being dismissed from the graduate program. Normally doctoral students may not enroll in more than 4 credits of graduate research (Biology 6905) before they have received approval for their dissertation proposal.

Dissertation
A dissertation embodying the results of original research shall be submitted to and approved by the Department of Biology and the Graduate School. The general regulations of the Graduate School concerning the preparation of the dissertation must be met. These rules include a public oral defense of the written dissertation. Dissertations are to be presented in a style appropriate for one or more publications in scientific journals.


Teaching
At least one semester of supervised teaching is required of all doctoral students.
All students are required to meet annually with their academic committee.