The information on this page applies to prospective graduate students interested in one or more of the following Ph.D. programs:
• Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior - EEB
• Genome, Cell, and Developmental Biology - GCDB
• Microbiology - MICRO
Be sure to read through information on our individual program websites for information about admissions process that may be unique to the program you are applying to:
How to apply
Application Deadline
December 1
All Applicants
Entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements include an undergraduate major in one of the biological sciences or in a related field such as chemistry, physics, or mathematics. Applicants should have a general background in biology or a related science, including laboratory experience. Undergraduate course work in chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and/or physical sciences is desirable. Prospective applicants should feel free to inquire about possible exceptions to these requirements. A unique academic background may be an asset, and deficiencies can be made up early in the graduate program.
Application materials
A complete application includes:
- Application Form - Submitted through the online application system of the Graduate School Bloomington
- Official Transcripts – Sent directly from all undergraduate and graduate programs attended. Unofficial transcripts may be attached to the initial application for review purposes only. Please see Official Transcript Requirements below for detailed instructions.
- Personal Statement - Provide a statement, approximately 500 words, that identifies your academic goals, career objectives, why you are applying to this program, and the qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program. The personal statement is an opportunity for you to tell us about your academic and career direction and goals. Make a case for why you will fit into a particular program and what you aim to contribute and achieve during your Ph.D.
- CV/Resumé – Should include teaching, research, and/or industrial experiences; a list of publications, if available; and any college or professional honors and awards.
- Official English Language Test Results - Unofficial TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores may be attached to the initial application for review purposes only. Please see English Language Testing Requirements below for detailed instructions.
- Recommendations – Contact information for recommenders will be submitted directly through the application system. Ideally, these recommendations will be from professors, program administrators, or lab employers. Be sure to contact your recommenders in advance so that they have time to write and submit their letters in the online system by the December 1 application deadline.
- GRE Scores are Not Required
- Official Transcript Requirements
Our office will accept unofficial transcripts uploaded to your WebAdmit application for initial application review. You are required to submit official transcripts for your application to be considered complete and to be eligible for admission into any of our programs. If you have an in-progress degree you must submit official transcripts with your degree listed once it is conferred.
Domestic students who wish to be considered for certain Indiana University fellowships must have official transcripts on file with the Department of Biology by February 10. Official transcripts do not need to be final if your degree is still in progress. If you do not wish to be considered for any fellowships your transcript must be submitted at the latest by April 15 to be eligible for Fall 2025 admission.
International students must follow the timeline provided by the Office of International Services to ensure their paperwork and student visa can be processed in time for Fall 2025 admission.
Where to send official transcripts:
Official transcripts must be sent directly from all undergraduate and graduate programs attended. Transcripts are required from each institution even if a degree was not earned. Transcripts provided to applicants and forwarded to our office are not considered official.
For U.S. Domestic Applicants, send transcripts to:
IU Biology Graduate Office
Myers Hall Room 150
915 East Third Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7107 USAOR
Send transcripts electronically through a secure service, such as Parchment or Naviance, to gradbio@iu.edu.
For International Applicants, including international students that attended U.S. domestic institutions, send transcripts to:
Office of International Services
Indiana University
Ferguson International Center
330 North Eagleson Avenue
Bloomington, Indiana 47405 USAOR
Send transcripts electronically through a secure service, such as Parchment or Naviance, to newtoiu@iu.edu.
- English Language Testing Requirements
Our office will accept unofficial TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores uploaded to your WebAdmit application for initial application review. You are required to submit official scores for your application to be considered complete and to be eligible for admission into any of our programs. Tests scores are valid for two years. Tests taken more than two years prior to your application date will not be considered for admission.
The minimum recommended scores for admission to the IU Bloomington Graduate Biology program are:
- IELTS – 6.5
- TOEFL – 79
- Duolingo – 115
Official scores must be sent directly from the testing institution to Indiana University Bloomington.
For TOEFL scores use Institutional Code 1324 and Department Code 99.
For IELTS scores select Indiana University Bloomington.
Citizens of a country where English is the official language and/or students that have a degree from a higher education institution in the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada do not need to submit English Language test results.
For a complete list of countries that are considered English speaking by Indiana University please visit https://international.indianapolis.iu.edu/admissions/english-speaking-countries-grad.html.
If you do not meet the above exception standards but believe you should still be granted an English Language test waiver, please contact our office directly at gradbio@iu.edu.
For more information on sending your official English Language Test scores, click on the appropriate link below:
IELTS: https://ielts.org/take-a-test/your-results/getting-and-sharing-your-results
TOFEL: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/send-scores.html
Duolingo: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants Log-in then follow the instructions under “My Test” then “Share Score.”
- Application Cost and Fee Waivers
There is an application fee of $70 for all applicants. The Department of Biology does not currently offer graduate application fee waivers or reimbursements.
The Graduate School Bloomington offers some waivers. Please click here for more information and to see if you are eligible. You may also contact them directly at grdschl@iu.edu if you have any questions.
- Application Accommodations
If you do not have access to the web, or have trouble downloading the necessary forms, please contact our graduate student advising office at gradbio@iu.edu or +1 812.856.7425.
Admissions and Program Contacts
We welcome inquiries about our graduate program. All inquiries concerning the features of the various programs in the Department of Biology, or the status of an application should be directed to gradbio@iu.edu or +1 812.856.7425.
Inquiries about a specific research program carried out by an individual faculty member should be sent directly to that faculty member.
Admission decisions
All applications are reviewed by a faculty committee in the program of interest and also at the departmental level. Our goal is to select students with the motivation and creativity to advance the field of biology. To do this we consider all aspects of the candidate’s record and application: GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, research experience, and accomplishments. In the evaluation of an undergraduate’s transcript, particular attention is given to experience in laboratory courses and science courses. The admissions committee also makes decisions about the type of financial support awarded to the applicant. Applicants who are accepted into the program must respond no later than April 15 to the offer of admittance. After the deadline, promise of support can no longer be guaranteed.
Admission decisions are made by the admissions committee. Individual faculty members cannot accept applicants directly.