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Biological Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions

UT Dallas > Biological Sciences > Graduate Programs > Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

After reviewing the information below, email the appropriate contact as applicable:

Admissions

Do I need to contact a faculty member before applying for admission or financial support?

  • No, the applicants are discouraged from contacting faculty members for this purpose.

Can I defer the offer of admission or financial support? How?

  • Financial support cannot be deferred. Applicants admitted into the PhD program cannot defer admission. Applicants admitted into a master’s program should email the appropriate contact above.

I have received an admission offer. How do I sign up for courses?

  • Recently admitted students should wait for correspondence from the Graduate Advisor and Academic Support Coordinator.

I have been admitted to a program but would like to switch to another. How should I proceed?

  • Students will need to apply to switch programs. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss program changes with the Graduate Advisor and Academic Support Coordinator to ensure the new program will meet their needs.

I am an existing student at UTD in a different program and am interested in joining your biology graduate program. What should I do?

  • Apply to the program of your interest. If you would like to discuss a specific program, please contact the appropriate Academic Support Coordinator.

Application Materials

How do you accept letters of recommendation?

  • The letter writers will get a link via email to upload their letter. Letter writers experiencing technical difficulties should contact admissions@utdallas.edu.

Do I need to get my transcript evaluated by an evaluation service like the WES?

  • Questions regarding transcripts, certificates, and other international documents should be directed to admissions@utdallas.edu.

Are scans of official documents acceptable?

  • Yes, but the official copies will be needed at the time of admission. Make sure the scans are legible or they will not be accepted.

I have applied previously to the university and am applying again. How can I reuse materials from the previous application?

  • Email admissions@utdallas.edu for this but be aware that your application may not be considered strong if, e.g., your recommendation letters are not directed to the correct program.

I graduated from a university a long time ago and am unable to contact my professors to get recommendation letters. What should I do?

  • Letters of recommendation should speak to your preparation and ability to succeed in our program. These can come from current mentors or supervisors if you are unable to secure one from a previous professor.

Credit Transfer

I am pursuing a graduate degree elsewhere and would like to transfer to UTD. What should I do?

  • Apply to the program of your interest.

Can I transfer courses taken elsewhere?

  • Under certain conditions, it may be possible to transfer credits for a limited number of courses. The credit transfer request can be made only after joining the program.

Curricula, Courses and Schedules

Where can I find the curriculum of a program?

  • See the graduate catalog entry for programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences.

Where can I find course descriptions?

Where can I find course schedules?

Deadlines

What are the deadlines for application?

  • PhD applications must be completed and received by December 15th. This includes letters of recommendation, transcripts, resume, etc. Application materials received after December 15th may not be considered. MS applicants should review the Admissions website for additional information.

The deadline to apply has passed. Can I submit a late application?

  • We do not accept late applications for the MS or PhD programs. If you are a current student at UT Dallas attempting to apply late, please contact us using the appropriate email above.

Eligibility

My bachelor’s degree program was a 3-year program. Am I eligible to apply?

  • Yes, more information about 3-year programs is available on the Admissions website.

My undergraduate degree is not in a discipline in which I want to pursue a graduate degree. Am I eligible to apply?

  • Yes, provided you have met admissions standards and have a substantial background in Molecular and Cell Biology.

Do you accept courses taken on online platforms such as Coursera and the like toward the prerequisites?

  • No, to be acceptable, the courses need to be on the transcript from an accredited institution of higher education.

Can you look at my profile and comment on my chances of getting admission?

  • We are not able to comment on your chances. If you think your application is strong, please apply.

I am interested in pursuing the Graduate Certificate for Genomics. How should I proceed?

  • To be eligible, you will need to first gain admission to a graduate program at the university. You will also need to have completed the prerequisites for the courses involved in the curriculum of the program before you apply.

Fees

Can I get a waiver from the application fee?

  • Not unless you qualify for the Graduate Application Fee Waiver Program.
  • There are no fee waivers available for international applicants. Domestic applicants may qualify for a fee waiver through the Graduate Application Fee Waiver Program.
  • Individuals who may qualify include but are not limited to participants in:
    • Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
    • Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
    • Cientifico Latino Graduate School Mentorship Program
    • EDGE Program: Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education
    • Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
    • Microbial Friends and Foes REU
    • NIH-NIGMS

Where can I find information about tuition fees?

  • PhD students are not required to pay tuition due to their Graduate Tuition Scholarship. MS students should contact the Bursar Office for assistance.

Financial Support

Is financial support available for pursuing a PhD program?

  • All MCB PhD students are provided a Graduate Tuition Scholarship (to pay for tuition and fees), a stipend which is currently $2,400/month annually, and health insurance. This includes Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The stipend is awarded annually for MCB PhD students based on maintaining a satisfactory academic record. Support will be withdrawn from students who are not benefiting adequately from the PhD program, are neglecting their assistantship duties, or who intend to leave the program before completing their dissertation.

Is financial support available for pursuing an MS program?

  • There are a handful of merit and financial need-based scholarships available. The merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Admissions Committee based on committee nomination. Students eligible for financial need-based scholarships should inquire with Whitney Mira for additional information after being formally admitted to the university.

I am applying for a graduate (MS or PhD) program. How do I apply for financial support?

  • Students wishing to qualify for need-based scholarships must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the university.

Job Prospects

Where can I find information about job prospects related to your graduate programs?

  • The NSM Career Success Center is an important resource for students pursuing STEM and healthcare careers. Career professionals are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes and connecting with campus recruiters, among other services.

Where can I find information about jobs of your recent graduates?

  • See the Placement tab for your program of interest.

Part-Time, Online and Non-Degree Seeking Options

Can I pursue an MS program part-time?

  • Yes, you may. Although some of the required courses may be scheduled in the late afternoon hours, be aware that this cannot be guaranteed for all the courses. The courses are not offered online.

Is your program online?

  • No, all our graduate programs are in person.

Are classes offered in the evenings?

  • Some classes may be offered in the evenings, but this cannot be guaranteed for all classes. Moreover, course schedules may change from semester to semester.

I am just interested in taking a few courses without enrolling in a graduate program. What options do I have?

  • You can enroll as a non-degree seeking graduate student. Before you apply, you will need to consult with a graduate advisor to discuss the courses you may be interested in and whether you are eligible to take them. Include with your application a copy of the advisor’s email specifying the courses you want to take and that you have the eligibility to take them. Email biologyms@utdallas.edu for more information.

Research

Where can I find information about research in the department?

Spring and Summer Admissions

Do you offer admission starting in the Spring semester?

  • PhD students are only admitted for the Fall. We offer admission for MS applicants in the Spring and Fall semester.

Do you offer admission starting in a Summer semester?

  • No.

Test Scores

Is the GRE required?

  • No. GRE scores are optional for our graduate programs. If you would like to submit a score, our GRE School Code is 6897.

My bachelor’s (or master’s) degree was earned through instruction and examination in English. Do I still need to demonstrate English proficiency by taking a test?

  • International graduate students are required to communicate both verbally and in written English. All international PhD students awarded a teaching assistantship (TA) are required by the University to pass an English proficiency test, to be administered by the University prior to the assumption of teaching duties. Students who otherwise demonstrate deficiencies in English may be required to take appropriate remedial English courses. In addition, students should strive to improve their proficiency at the verbal level by as much exposure to the English language as possible.

Is my country waived from the English proficiency requirement?

I am an international student who has a bachelor’s (or master’s degree) from the US. Do I need to submit an English proficiency score?

Visa and Related Materials

I have a question about visa, OPT, or related matters. Whom should I ask?

Additional Information

Additional information is available on the following websites:

Admissions

Graduate Advising

Molecular & Cell Biology (PhD):

Molecular & Cell Biology (MS) / Biotechnology (MS):

Graduate Resources