# Biological Sciences
**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biological-sciences-phd
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs
**Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)**
Thesis-based program
[Start your application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Program overview
Graduate study in Biological Sciences puts students on the front lines of discovery. Doctoral students design, conduct and analyze original research; they develop rigorous expertise in everything from foundational theory and the study of evolution to cutting-edge research methodologies as they investigate a broad range of biological problems ranging from the molecular level to the biosphere. Degrees are offered in four integrated areas: biochemistry; ecology and evolutionary biology; integrative cell biology; and microbiology. The program takes four to five years, with funding available through sources such as scholarships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and supervisor's research grants.
### Completing this program
- **Research Seminar:** Related to supervisor interest, and may include biochemistry, cell biology, ecology and evolutionary biology or microbiology.
- **Candidacy:** Students will prepare a research proposal or essay, followed by an oral exam in their field of research expertise.
- **Additional Courses:** Topics may cover biology of laboratory animals, theory and lab methods, statistical methods, recent advances and Darwin.
- **Thesis:**Students will propose, write and successfully defend a research thesis.
### Specializations
- Biochemistry
- Biophysical Chemistry
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology
- Environmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Physiology
- Structural Biology
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Energy and Environmental Systems
### Outcomes
Professor, biologist, teacher, consultant, scientist (agricultural/forestry breeding, process development, environmental), data analyst, biotechnologist, genetic counsellor, manager (lab, project, clinic, territory, resource), science writer, research technician, bioscience/biotechnology business.
**A PhD in biological sciences is usually considered a final degree.**
### Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
### Courses
Minimum of two courses, with additional seminar courses
[Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/BISIPHD)
### Classroom delivery
### Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
### Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted
### Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on [fees and fee regulations,](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/tuitionandfeesoverview/grad) and for information on [awards and financial assistance](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/studfinsupport/awardsgrad).
## Virtual Tour
Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.
[Take the FGS Virtual Tour](https://virtualtour.grad.ucalgary.ca/ucalgary/home/campuses/?utm_source=Explore+Programs+Pages&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Circuit+Tour)
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## Biological Sciences
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1. [Arshad Ayyaz](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/arshad-ayyaz)
Accepting Inquiries
Single Cell Genomics, Tissue Regeneration, Cancer, Molecular Biology
2. [Robert Barclay](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/robert-barclay)
Unavailable
Behavioural and physiological ecology, conservation biology
3. [Benjamin Barst](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/node/3607)
Accepting Inquiries
Ecotoxicology, One Health, Environmental contaminants, Stable isotope analyses, Food webs
4. [John EA Bertram](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/john-ea-bertram)
Accepting Inquiries
Dynamics of locomotion
5. [Tamara Bodnar](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/tamara-bodnar)
Seeking Students
Microbiome , Inflammation and neurodegeneration, Prenatal alcohol exposure/Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Germ-free models, Indigenous community partnerships (health focus)
6. [Gordon Chua](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/gordon-chua)
Accepting Inquiries
Eukaryotic Gene Expression and Regulation
7. [Antoine Dufour](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/antoine-dufour)
Unavailable
Proteomics, proteases, systems biology, inflammation, immunity
8. [Peter Dunfield](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/peter-dunfield)
Accepting Inquiries
Microbial Ecology / Environmental Microbiology, Biotechnology
9. [Megan Engel](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/megan-engel)
Seeking Students
Computational Biophysics, Molecular Simulation, Machine Learning, DNA/RNA nanotechnology, Nonequilibrium Physics, Molecular Machines
10. [Peter Facchini](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/peter-facchini)
Accepting Inquiries
Plant Metabolic Biochemistry
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## Admission requirements
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#### GPA
A minimum of 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
#### Minimum education
Completion of a Master of Science program recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Exceptional students may apply to a PhD program without a Master of Science recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
#### Work samples
None
#### Documents
A concise statement outlining the applicant's research interests and reasons for wishing to attend the University of Calgary
#### Reference letters
Three academic reference letters along with the required reference form.
#### Test scores
None
---
#### **English language proficiency (ELP)**
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in different ways. For accepted criteria, please refer to the “Faculty of Science English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements” page in the [Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/AtZIGQMl4WHoCe2qWSTP).
*\*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.*
#### Deadlines
**For admission on September 1**
- Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)- apply by June 1
- International (students with international transcripts)- apply by May 1
**For admission on January 1**
- Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)- apply by Oct. 1
- International (students with international transcripts)- apply by Sept. 1
**For admission on May 1**
- Canadian and permanent resident (students with Canadian or U.S. transcripts)- apply by March 1
- International (students with international transcripts)- apply by Jan. 1
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about
[international requirements](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/international-students)
## Have you made your final decision and you’re ready to apply?
[Learn how to apply](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Learn more about this program
### Department of Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences Building 186\
2500 University Drive NW\
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4\
403-220-6623
[Contact the Graduate Program Administrator](mailto:sci.grad@ucalgary.ca)
[Visit the departmental website](http://bio.ucalgary.ca/)
### Faculty of Science
University of Calgary\
2500 University Drive NW\
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4
[Visit the Faculty of Science website](https://science.ucalgary.ca/)
## Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.
#### [Biological Sciences](#collapse2019789474)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biological-sciences-msc-thesis)
#### [Anthropology](#collapse520875305)
[Thesis-based MA](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/anthropology-ma-thesis)
[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/anthropology-phd)
#### [Archaeology](#collapse65784166)
[Thesis-based MA](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/archaeology-ma-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/archaeology-phd)
#### [Biochemistry and Molecular Biology](#collapse477588893)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-phd)
#### [Immunology](#collapse182961499)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/immunology-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/immunology-phd)
#### [Medical Science](#collapse1502565737)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/medical-science-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/medical-science-phd)
#### [Microbiology and Infectious Disease](#collapse1843948962)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-phd)
#### [Veterinary Medicine](#collapse1194742555)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/veterinary-medicine-msc-thesis)
[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/veterinary-medicine-phd)
## Curious about the University of Calgary?
Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.
[Learn More about student life at UCalgary](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/student-life)