Welcome to the web site for Graduate Study in the Department of Biology at the University of Virginia! The Department of Biology offers both Ph.D. and Masters level graduate training in a variety of areas of specialization. These include Molecular Genetics, Cell & Developmental Biology; Ecology & Evolution; and Neurobiology & Behavior. In many cases, our research overlaps these categories. For example, Plant Biology can be found in both the Molecular Genetics, Cell & Developmental Biology and in the Ecology & Evolution subject areas. All of these areas offer exciting training opportunities, including participation in University institutes, multidisciplinary research groups and federally supported training programs. Throughout this site, we describe research programs and opportunities in each of these areas. This site also includes short research descriptions for all Biology faculty members directing Ph.D. or Masters level research. If you are interested in pursuing graduate research in any of the Department of Biology programs, we encourage you to contact individual faculty for additional information about their research programs. You can find faculty telephone numbers and email addresses on their individual research home pages or in the Faculty Directory.

Note that many members of the Department of Biology are also active participants in the Biomedical Graduate Programs listed on the University of Virginia Biomedical Sciences website. It is possible to receive graduate training in these laboratories via either admissions route, though at this time it is only possible to apply to one graduate program. In general, application to the Biology program directly would be suggested for entering students who desire a diverse biological training.

Your selection of a graduate program is one of the most important choices you will make in your professional career. We hope that the information provided here will help you make the right choice. For more information about our graduate programs, please visit our Academic Programs page . If, after browsing through the Department of Biology and University of Virginia web sites, you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Biology, Dr. Michael Wormington.