NYU Biology offers an integrated environment where students pursue cutting edge research with a world class faculty. The department is home to a wealth of scientific expertise, state-of-the art labs and core facilities, the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, and the Center for Developmental Genetics. We are located in Greenwich Village, the best neighborhood in the world's most influential city. Our students are encouraged, in addition to their academic science training, to take advantage of all that NYC has to offer, including interacting with the legal, entertainment, pharma, world-health, and tech industries, as well as unique Global Opportunities for study at NYU’s Portal Campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.
PhD Program Overview
Areas of Research Specialization
- Genomics & Systems Biology
- Developmental Genetics and Stem Cells
- Molecular & Cellular Biology
- Computational Biology
- Infectious Diseases and the Microbiome
- Evolution, Ecology & Environmental Biology
- Plant Genomics
For further insights into the broad range of research currently taking place in the department, view a collection of recent talks by NYU Biology faculty, postdocs, and students.
The PhD Training Program
The full-time Doctor of Philosophy Program in Biology is designed to develop independent research scientists. Students undertake independent research under the guidance of faculty mentors at state-of-the-art laboratories, with sophisticated instrumentation, advanced computer facilities, and extensive library and e-journal holdings. Weekly pre-doctoral colloquia enable students to present their own work to a broad audience, while symposiums and seminars by distinguished visitors, speaking on a variety of topics, add breadth to the educational programs offered by the department. Students enrolled in the PhD program are guaranteed a paid stipend for living expenses. Program details are available in the Biology Graduate Student Handbook.
Financial & Housing Information
Doctoral students receive financial support and health insurance for the full duration of their graduate career. For further information on financial and other support is available on the Biology Graduate Financial, Insurance & Housing Information page.
Graduate Program Diversity
The Department of Biology is firmly committed to increasing diversity amongst our graduate students. We are proud to provide an atmosphere that is nurturing and supportive of all students. Visit NYU's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website to learn more about the University's initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion in the NYU community. Additional resources are available on the Biology Graduate Program Diversity page.
Academic Requirements for Graduation
Successful completion of the PhD in Biology consists of a qualifying exam, completion of required and elective course work, performance of dissertation research, and writing and defense of the PhD dissertation. For further details on the program requirements please refer to p. 49 of NYU’s GSAS Bulletin.
Training Opportunities
Students are encouraged to build their own course curricula and research plans, and will have opportunities for collaborations with other departments and institutes, including the Sackler Institute at the NYU Langone Medical School, the Center for Neural Science, the Center for Soft Matter Research, NYU's Departments of Physics and Chemistry, the Courant Institute for Mathematical Science, and the New York Genome Center.
Teaching Opportunities
Students have opportunities to gain teaching experiences by working as teaching assistants in a wide variety of courses offered by the department. Compensation for teaching is in addition to the normal PhD program stipend. Available positions are posted on the Biology Teaching Opportunities page.
Global Opportunities
Students entering NYU’s Graduate Program in Biology will have the option to participate in opportunities to perform thesis research projects at NYU’s global sites in Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and Shanghai (NYUSH). NYUAD and NYUSH Global Ph.D. Student Fellows complete their coursework in New York before moving full-time either to Abu Dhabi or Shanghai to pursue the remainder of their doctoral research under the supervision of Abu Dhabi or Shanghai faculty.