This interdisciplinary program involves faculty from multiple departments and offers five diverse areas of specialization, ranging from molecular biology to sustainable agriculture systems.
The M.S. and Ph.D. in biological and environmental sciences (BES) are interdisciplinary, interdepartmental graduate degrees that involve faculty from a diverse set of departments in URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS), including Biological Sciences; Cell and Molecular Biology; Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science; Geosciences; Natural Resources Science; and Plant Sciences; as well as faculty from the Graduate School of Oceanography. Contact information and a list of faculty in each of these departments are provided below.
Students accepted into the M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in BES are organized into graduate specialization groups that include Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), Evolution and Marine Biology (EMB), Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences (EES), Environmental and Earth Sciences (EVES), and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS). These graduate specialization groups are described in more detail below, along with the admissions and degree requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. students in BES. When applying to the BES graduate program, prospective students should indicate which of the graduate specialization groups listed below represents their primary area of interest. Prospective students are encouraged to contact individual faculty to learn more about graduate research opportunities.
Program requirements: a minimum of 72 credits of graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree (a master’s degree may count for up to 30 credits). At least 42 credits must be taken at the University of Rhode Island. Required course work and dissertation credits depend on the preparation and study plan of the individual student. All degree candidates are required to prepare a Program of Study in consultation with their major professor and doctoral committee. Written and oral comprehensive examinations and a defense of dissertation are required. A qualifying examination will be required for students who are admitted without a master’s degree and may be required for students whose prior degrees are outside of the proposed Ph.D. field of study.
September 2025
University of Rhode Island
Kingston Campus,
75 Briar Lane,
KINGSTON,
Rhode Island,
2881, United States
September 2025
Narragansett Bay Campus
215 South Ferry Rd,
Narragansett,
Rhode Island,
02882, Northeast, United States
A bachelor’s degree in a biological or physical science, natural resources science, math, engineering, or other appropriate discipline. Applicants with course deficiencies may be required to take additional undergraduate courses for no program credit.
Language Proficiency
Required scores on the Internet-based (iBT) and Computer-based TOEFL:
An overall score of 80 or above (82 for teaching assistantship consideration), AND Minimum scores in the following areas: Reading: 19; Writing: 18; Listening: 17; Speaking: 18 (the suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 20).
Other scores that may be accepted in place of TOEFL scores (please check with your department):
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): All scores must be sent directly to URI. Required minimum score of 6.5, AND minimum scores in the following areas: Reading: 6.5; Writing: 6.5; Listening: 6.5; Speaking: 6.5 (The suggested minimum speaking score for a teaching assistantship is 7).
Duolingo English Test: Required minimum score of 105 (Score of 110 for a teaching assistantship)
Pearson Test of English: Required minimum scores are Reading 53, Writing 59, Listening 47, and Speaking 47 (62 for international teaching assistants)
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): Required minimum score of B2
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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