Degree Awarded: PHD
Biological Design
The PhD program in biological design seeks to develop a new type of scientist by training students in core disciplines related to biomedicine and biotechnology while simultaneously preparing them to participate successfully in the interdisciplinary research teams of the future. The research emphasis is on projects that are use-inspired, contributing directly to solutions for important societal challenges. This is a highly mentored program of personalized study that provides significant interaction with the large and vibrant local research community. There are four key distinguishing features of the curriculum: a personalized plan of study that allows students to explore the disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas of greatest interest; encouragement to choose dissertation research projects that are use-focused, contribute to solving a large-scale challenge and promise rich transdisciplinary experiences; opportunities to participate in a proseminar format to encourage broad research interactions and discuss problems and challenges in biological design research; and three 10-week laboratory rotations during the first year of study. Rotations can be in any ASU laboratory that is centered largely on biological research.
September 2025
Arizona State University
Tempe Campus,
1151 S. Forest Ave.,
TEMPE,
Arizona,
85281, United States
To be admitted to ASU, you must have earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor鈥檚 degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.
Competitive applicants typically have a 鈥淏鈥� (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your application may still be considered by the department.
English language proficiency requirements
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Score of at least 80 on the TOEFL iBT
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Overall band score of the academic test of at least 6.5
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Score of at least 60
Duolingo English test: Graduate minimum score of 105
