Graduate Programs
Graduate study in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University prepares students for advanced careers in research, teaching, conservation, industry, government, health-related fields and higher education.
Our department includes more than 40 faculty members whose research spans the biological sciences, from molecular and cellular systems to organisms, communities and ecosystems. Faculty use laboratory, field-based, computational, analytical and classroom-based approaches to address questions that advance basic scientific knowledge and contribute to real-world applications.
Why Study Biological Sciences at Auburn?
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a collaborative and supportive environment where graduate students work closely with faculty engaged in research across the breadth of modern biology. Faculty research spans behavior, ecology, evolution and conservation; evolutionary genetics and systematics; physiological adaptations and functional genomics; host-microbial interactions; and biology education research.
Graduate students benefit from opportunities to conduct laboratory, field, computational, collection-based and classroom-based research. The department’s broad research strengths allow students to pursue interdisciplinary work and develop expertise in areas ranging from molecular and cellular biology to biodiversity, conservation, microbiomes, physiology, genomics and STEM education.
Students typically work closely with faculty advisors while also engaging with a broader community of researchers, teachers and peers. Through research, teaching, seminars, professional development and collaboration, graduate students gain the experience needed to contribute to biological science and prepare for a wide range of career paths.
Graduate students in Biological Sciences pursue research across several core areas, including behavior, ecology, evolution and conservation; evolutionary genetics and systematics; physiological adaptations and functional genomics; and host-microbial interactions. Students may also pursue biology education research through COSAM’s Discipline-Based Education Research program.
Many faculty work across more than one research area, giving graduate students an interdisciplinary training experience. The department’s graduate community includes more than 120 PhD and master’s students, with approximately 65% pursuing doctoral degrees and 35% pursuing master’s degrees.
The Department of Biological Sciences offers multiple graduate pathways designed to support different academic and professional goals.
PhD in Biological Sciences
The doctoral program provides advanced research training for students preparing for careers in academia, research, government, conservation, industry and related fields. PhD students work closely with faculty mentors to develop original research projects, build disciplinary expertise and contribute new knowledge to the biological sciences.
Master’s Thesis Program
The master’s thesis program provides research-based graduate training for students who want to develop deeper expertise in a specific area of biology. Students complete graduate coursework and a faculty-mentored thesis project, preparing them for doctoral study, research careers or professional opportunities that require advanced scientific training.
Master’s Non-Thesis Pre-Professional Program
The master’s non-thesis pre-professional program is designed for students seeking advanced coursework in biology as preparation for professional school or other health-related pathways. This option allows students to strengthen their academic foundation, deepen their understanding of biological systems and prepare for the next step in their professional training.
Graduate Certificate in Computational Biology
The graduate certificate in computational biology provides training for students interested in applying computational approaches to biological questions. Students develop skills relevant to data analysis, modeling, genomics and other areas where biological research increasingly depends on computational tools.
Graduate students can broaden their research training through opportunities such as the Graduate Certificate in Computational Biology, which supports skill development in an area of rapid growth and strong employment potential.
Students in the department regularly earn research and teaching awards at local, national and international levels. The department also notes that several students in each cohort have successfully competed for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, reflecting the strength of graduate training in Biological Science
Many graduate students in the department receive financial support through teaching assistantships or research assistantships. These appointments typically provide stipend support and tuition assistance while also offering opportunities for professional development in teaching, mentoring and research.
Teaching assistantships allow students to gain experience supporting undergraduate instruction, while research assistantships allow students to focus more fully on research within a faculty advisor’s laboratory or research group. Funding availability may vary by program, advisor and year.
Prospective students interested in graduate study in Biological Sciences at Auburn University should submit an application through the Auburn University Graduate School. Applicants are typically asked to provide academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae and a letter of intent describing their academic background, research interests and goals.
Applicants are encouraged to explore the department’s research areas and contact potential faculty advisors whose research aligns with their interests before applying.
