Graduate Program

Admissions Info.

• Apply Here
• Admissions Website
• Scholarships & Fellowships

---

You can submit your application online through the office of admissions where you will be asked to pay a one-time application fee of $30.00 by credit card (Master Card, Visa, or Discover) or e-check. Our Department is unable to waive the $30.00 application fee.

The below listed documents are required to be submitted through the online application for consideration:

• CV/Resume
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Letters must be signed, on letterhead and uploaded as a pdf to your application.
  • Emails with links will be sent directly to recommenders once application fee is paid.
• Transcripts: Unoffical transcripts accepted for review process only.
• Teaching or Research Funding 
• Personal Statement/Essay

Visit the Office of Admissions Graduate Academic Requirements webpage to learn more 

Transcripts

Official transcripts should be mailed in a sealed envelope directly to the Office of Admissions from each post-secondary institution you have attended (excluding USF).

Personal Statement (Essay)

A short statement stating your intended field of research and professional goals. Please indicate your specific research interests. In your statement please list 2-3 biology faculty members who you would like to have review your file.  Faculty bios are listed under the Research Themes of the Department website available at https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/ib/research/index.aspx. Acceptance into the biology graduate program requires the identification of specific faculty who are willing to direct your research. Applicants are therefore encouraged to get in contact with faculty they would like to conduct research with. 

For U.S. Students:
Spring Term (January): July 1
Fall Term (August): Nov. 30 - Feb. 15.  November 30 is the priority deadline for Fall graduate assistantships.

For International Students:
Spring Term (January): July 1
Fall Term (August): Nov. 30. November 30 is the priority deadline for Fall graduate assistantships.

For the department to proivde full consideration of your application for a graduate assistantship you must have applied  on or before the semester admissions deadline.

Teaching Assistantships (TA)

Teaching Assistantships (TA) are comprised of a stipend along with a tuition waiver for classes administered by the College of Arts and Sciences. Departmental TAs are awarded and renewed prior to the start of the fall and Spring Semesters, and are allocated based on available funding.

Research Assistantships (RA) 

Students may also be supported via Research Assistantships (RA) from the research grants of their Major Professor. These provide a stipend and tuition payment, and are allocated by individual research faculty subject to availability.

Fellowships, Scholarships and External Research Funding 

Regional and national fellowships/scholarships are available to receive your application for consideration of funding. Please visit the below webpages for more information regarding these opportunities:

• USF Office of Graduate Studies Fellowships
• USF Office of Financial Aid Scholarships & Fellowships
• USF Foundation Scholarships
• USF Office of Graduate Studies External Research Funding