{"id":18534,"date":"2024-07-02T10:06:10","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T14:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/biology\/?page_id=18534"},"modified":"2026-09-15T13:39:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T17:39:01","slug":"graduate-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/biology\/biology-graduate-program\/graduate-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Department of Biology offers graduate degree programs leading to both the Master of Science (MS)<\/a> and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<\/a>. Graduate training is available across the full spectrum of modern biological investigation from molecular biology to ecosystems, unified by a strong focus on the evolutionary underpinnings of life at these different levels. Faculty members are grouped into three primary research areas, each of which has a corresponding graduate curriculum and seminar series. Please visit our applicant page for more information about<\/span> how to apply<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn about our graduate student research below!<\/span><\/h5>\n
Cell & Molecular Biology<\/h5>
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Graduate students in the Cell & Molecular (CM) Biology program have the opportunity to choose from a diverse array of research laboratories<\/a> engaged in both basic and biomedically relevant research. In addition to their thesis\/dissertation research, coursework, and a weekly graduate student seminar series, students learn from visiting speakers through the Biomolecular Seminar Series, and may also attend seminars coordinated by Chemistry, Bioinformatics, and other graduate programs within the department.<\/p>\n

CM graduate students enroll in core courses in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry during the first three semesters of graduate study. During the first year each student also completes three laboratory rotations, gaining an understanding of laboratory-based investigation in several fields and leading to an informed choice of a mentor and laboratory for subsequent dissertation research. Upon successful completion of a written and oral qualifying examination during the second year, PhD students begin full-time research and may take additional elective courses. The qualifying exam takes the form of a research proposal that typically serves as the student\u2019s initial research plan.<\/p>\n

During each subsequent year, PhD students build on this initial plan by giving a research seminar to CM faculty and graduate students and meeting with their thesis committee to review current research and outline future plans.<\/p>\n

Check the list of recent dissertations<\/a> and publications<\/a> to see the range of topics addressed by CM students.<\/p>\n

Close Tab<\/a><\/p>\n

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Ecology, Behavior & Evolution<\/h5>
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Graduate students in the Ecology, Behavior & Evolution (EBE) program study a broad diversity of organisms and ecosystems, and employ a wide range of methods in studies of both basic and applied questions in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine systems. Student research is often highly integrative and typically includes both laboratory and field-based components. Students conduct field research both in New England and in varied field sites around the globe. Our faculty<\/a> have significant strengths in areas such as animal behavior, ecosystem ecology, ichthyology, marine conservation science, molecular ecology and evolution, and tropical ecology.<\/p>\n

PhD and MS research track students who focus on marine biology have the opportunity to participate in the Marine Semester<\/a> in the Fall, which consists of one-month-long intensive research courses coordinated through the BU Marine Science Program (BUMP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The graduate curriculum for EBE students is highly flexible and is customized to the needs and interests of the individual student. In addition to graduate-level courses in Biology, EBE gradaute students have access to courses from other programs such as Bioinformatics<\/a>, Biogeoscience<\/a>, Environmental Health<\/a>, Earth & Environment<\/a>, and Statistics<\/a>, as well as select courses at a number of other universities in the Boston area.<\/p>\n

Because of the diversity of interests represented in EBE, PhD students and research track MS students are generally accepted into the program to work with a specific faculty member. In addition to submitting an application to the Graduate School, prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact faculty with whom they might like to work.<\/p>\n

Check the list of recent dissertations<\/a> and publications<\/a> to see the range of topics addressed by EBE students.<\/p>\n

Interested in applying to our graduate program?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

All applicants should review the application procedures listed on our apply page<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

EBE applicants interested in applying to our MS (Coursework Track or Scholarly Paper Track)<\/strong> do not need to contact faculty before applying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EBE applicants interested in applying for our PhD or MS (Research Track)<\/strong> require that you have a professor who is willing to accept you into his\/her\/their lab. We strongly recommend that you contact professors with whom you are interested in working before you apply to the EBE graduate program. Below are guidelines on how to contact professors via email.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Locate current research projects and contact information for professors in EBE who are currently accepting students (see below).<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Compose an e-mail to the faculty member\/s you are interested in working with that includes the following:\u00a0<\/span>\n