Graduate Programs
Our graduate programs offer master's and doctoral training through a combination of coursework, lab or field research and thesis work. Graduate students begin their thesis research in the first year under the direction of a faculty mentor.
During their time at DU, all graduate students are expected to publish their work in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Research assistantships and teaching assistantships help students hone specific skill sets depending on career interests.
Graduate students can pursue a master's or PhD degree in biology or a professional science master's degree in biomedical sciences.
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Biology Graduate Admissions Acceptance Recommendations (read before applying)
Thank you for your interest in graduate study in Biological Sciences at the University of Denver. The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs are direct-admission*. This means that, upon acceptance, students are immediately assigned to work in a specific research laboratory under the guidance of an assigned faculty mentor. This stands in contrast to some graduate programs in which students spend the first year doing rotations (short research projects in 3-4 different labs) before being assigned a permanent lab and faculty mentor. Because we use a direct-admission system, this has important implications for how you should approach the application process. Rather than simply submit your application materials and await a decision, applicants are strongly encouraged to take the following steps to increase their chances of being accepted:
- Become familiar with the research areas of the faculty in the program (available through the Biological Sciences site, and some faculty have personal lab websites).
- Identify a few (1-4) faculty you may be interested in working with.
- Contact the faculty members via email well in advance of the application deadline (months in advance is not uncommon) to ask if they plan to accept new students during the upcoming admission cycle, and to tell them you wish to learn more about their research and graduate opportunities in their lab. You may include a curriculum vitae or resume, and unofficial transcripts and scores in this initial email. Be sure to tell them a little about your background, your goals, why you wish to pursue a graduate degree, and importantly, why you are specifically interested in training in their lab.
If a faculty member plans to accept a new student and is interested, they may ask to meet with you remotely (video conference) or in person.
*The Professional Science Masters (PSM) and Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Exercise Physiology programs are an exception and not direct admission. For more info on these programs and their admissions, see their pages.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Biological Sciences
About this Program
The University of Denver's master of science in biological sciences provides students with graduate training centered on primary research, featuring concentrations in cell and molecular biology and ecology, biodiversity and evolution. Students begin their research with a faculty advisor upon entrance to the program, developing an independent research project that will culminate in a written thesis, public seminar and oral defense. The majority of our MS students have their work published in a scientific journal.
Because of the program's emphasis on primary research, graduates finish the degree strongly positioned to pursue a range of postgraduate opportunities, including careers in biotech and academic labs, government labs or agencies, or continued studies in professional or doctoral programs.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Biological Sciences
About this Program
The University of Denver's PhD in biological sciences offers students the opportunity for graduate training in either cell and molecular biology or ecology, biodiversity and evolution. Areas of focus within cell and molecular biology include biophysics, intracellular trafficking and signaling, molecular forensics, RNA biology, virus-host cell interaction, developmental biology, neuroscience and endocrinology. Within ecology, biodiversity and evolution, areas of focus consist of plant-insect interaction, ecology of invasive species, forest ecology and evolutionary biology, including evolutionary ecology, evolution of animal behavior and evolutionary-developmental biology.
Requiring five years of research and coursework, including a public seminar, written thesis and oral thesis defense, the program couples coursework with original research and teaching opportunities. When conducting their original research, students can leverage state-of-the-art facilities and techniques. Our PhD students also have the chance to teach in undergraduate lab environments.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Biomedical Sciences
About this Program
The University of Denver's Professional Science Master's in biomedical sciences gives students the opportunity to develop technical skills and theoretical knowledge that can prepare them for careers in the biomedical and health sciences fields. The program utilizes rigorous coursework to provide students with a depth of scientific knowledge and a strong foundation in ethics, communication and global awareness. Graduates often pursue careers in academic and industrial biomedical research, and the program can prepare them for work in fields such as healthcare, clinical research, government and regulatory affairs, especially when paired with further studies in professional schools.
The PSM program emphasizes active communications with biomedical professionals outside the University to ensure that the curriculum and capstone experiences are relevant and beneficial to both students and industry partners. An advisory board comprised of leaders in biomedical research, biotechnology, clinical healthcare, health institutions and hospital administration guides the curriculum by providing input regarding the academic skill set and professional tools most sought by employers in biomedical fields.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Clinical Exercise Physiology
About this Program
In clinical exercise physiology (CEP), exercise is used to help patients manage or reduce their risk of chronic disease. Clinicians develop exercise recommendations, administer diagnostics tests and provide guidance that promotes healthy lifestyles. This Master’s degree program provides in-depth knowledge and hands-on experiences in preventive and rehabilitative practices for patients at-risk of or challenged by cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases, orthopedic or musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and neoplastic immunological or hematological diseases, as well as healthy and low-risk populations. The curriculum provides the knowledge, clinical experience and skills needed by individuals preparing for successful completion of the exam for the ACSM clinical exercise physiologist certification.
The program prepares students for clinical and research careers in clinics, research centers, or health and wellness centers, especially careers in cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention and rehabilitation, obesity prevention and treatment, and other related careers. CEPs also could pursue positions working with both amateur and professional athletes who aspire to improve their performance. If further advanced education is of interest, this program provides an excellent foundation for doctoral work in physical therapy, occupational therapy and other related disciplines or in preparation for medical school.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Molecular and Cellular Biophysics
About this Program
The University of Denver's PhD program in molecular and cellular biophysics provides students a core foundation in biophysical theory and practice, along with flexibility and individualized attention. Participation of faculty from the departments of biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, and physics and astronomy enhances the strength and breadth of our program by incorporating cross-disciplinary and collaborative approaches to research. Areas of research include super resolution microscopy, developmental dynamics, protein folding, protein network analysis, signal transduction cascades, single molecule biophysics, cellular physiology and the development of novel imaging techniques.
Students with strong quantitative undergraduate backgrounds in fields such as physics, chemistry and mathematics who desire to apply these skills to biological problems are encouraged to apply, as are those with backgrounds in cell or molecular biology and solid foundations in mathematics and physics. We particularly encourage projects in the traditional disciplines of physics, biology and chemistry, as well as those using methods of mathematical analysis and computer modeling.
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Molecular and Cellular Biophysics
About this Program
The University of Denver's PhD program in molecular and cellular biophysics provides students a core foundation in biophysical theory and practice, along with flexibility and individualized attention. Participation of faculty from the departments of biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, and physics and astronomy enhances the strength and breadth of our program by incorporating cross-disciplinary and collaborative approaches to research. Areas of research include super resolution microscopy, developmental dynamics, protein folding, protein network analysis, signal transduction cascades, single molecule biophysics, cellular physiology and the development of novel imaging techniques.
Students with strong quantitative undergraduate backgrounds in fields such as physics, chemistry and mathematics who desire to apply these skills to biological problems are encouraged to apply, as are those with backgrounds in cell or molecular biology and solid foundations in mathematics and physics. We particularly encourage projects in the traditional disciplines of physics, biology and chemistry, as well as those using methods of mathematical analysis and computer modeling.
