Admissions The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences provides and promotes biological literacy in key chemical, biological and genetic principles using molecular, cellular and physiological approaches, and promotes scholarship in biomedical science through mentored, original research.

THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WILL PROVIDE ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ADMISSIONS INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS, PROCESSES AND TIMELINE.

Admissions and Application

Admission Standards

Applicants to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (BMS) must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and BMS program outlined below.

As part of the admissions process applicants must select one advanced concentration of interest. This selection will be used to match applicants with potential faculty for interviewing purposes.

  • Biochemistry
  • Cancer Biology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology and Microbiology
  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Physiology and Functional Genomics

Beginning Fall 2023, neuroscience will no longer be associated as one of the concentrations of the BMS Program. More information on the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program and application process can be found by clicking on the respective hyperlink.

Admissions Procedure

Completed applications undergo a preliminary review by the Admissions Committee. The application is presented to the committee and a decision is made to reject, hold, or offer the applicant an interview.

Application

The first step is to apply to the University of Florida Graduate School. We only accept and consider online applications. Paper applications will not be accepted. Letters of recommendation (minimum of 3), C.V., personal statement, and all other materials must be submitted online via the University of Florida Graduate School Application System. The Applications Process link on the left sidebar will walk you through the process.

Application Status

The University of Florida Admissions application status webpage (http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/appstatus.html) will allow you to view the receipt of your application, application fee, test scores and transcripts. It will also show you the status of the letters of recommendation.  Please remember that the University of Florida Graduate Admissions Office is very busy and will update the applications as they receive the information, so please allow time for this.

Once you have submitted your application, please allow time for your application to be reviewed. If we require additional information, we will contact you.

THE APPLICATION process

Please be sure to review the application process and helpful steps for completing & submitting your application.


Program Concentrations

The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (BMS Program) is an umbrella Ph.D. program that offers students the opportunity to explore one or more areas of study before choosing their mentor and concentration of study.  The BMS Program has seven concentrations of study which include:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology and Microbiology
  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Physiology and Functional Genomics

Beginning Fall 2023, neuroscience will no longer be associated as one of the concentrations of the BMS Program. More information on the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program and application process can be found by clicking on the respective hyperlink.

The majority of students admitted to the BMS program will select their faculty research mentor after one of their three research rotations during their first year of study. In select cases students may choose to “fast-track” and identify a research mentor at the time of enrollment. We highly recommend that potential applicants examine our faculty database to identify potential mentors.

  • Research Experience:  An essential factor for admission to our Ph.D. program is prior research experience. Most applicants have a year or more of undergraduate research experience. If you are studying at an institution with limited research opportunities, you should seek a summer research experience. University of Florida has several options. Research experience is initially evaluated based on a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Although some of our admitted students have earned a Master’s degree, most students are admitted after earning a Bachelor’s degree.
  • GPA:  The minimum requirements for graduate admission at the University of Florida include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all upper division (Junior/Senior) courses. Please use the “Self-Reported GPA Computation and Worksheet for Graduate Applications” to calculate your upper division GPA. Although the university minimum GPA for admission is 3.0, the mean GPA for successful applicants for our 2022 program cohort was 3.7.
  • Additional Course Requirements:  Applicants must have taken general biology and chemistry including organic chemistry and biochemistry. Applicants with weak undergraduate academic performance should consider pursuing a year of post-baccalaureate studies or obtaining a Master’s degree before applying. Biochemistry is core to the biomedical sciences, we usually do not consider an application if the student will not have completed undergraduate biochemistry before beginning the GPBMS Program.
  • GRE:  The GRE is no longer required for acceptance to the University of Florida Graduate School OR for the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences.

Applications are evaluated based on an overall assessment of research experience (personal statement and letters of recommendation), undergraduate course load, and GPA. Selected domestic applicants will be invited for personal interviews and students overseas will be interviewed by Skype.


Transfer Students

The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences accepts transfer students only when they are accompanying a faculty member who is moving to the University of Florida. All other applicants must apply for regular Fall semester admission. Transfer of credits from another institution to count toward a University of Florida Ph.D. degree is subject to the limits and conditions set forth by the UF Graduate School.

UF Graduate School

For general information about admission to the University of Florida Graduate School and links to the University of Florida Graduate Catalog, please see the Graduate Admissions webpage.