Students begin their Ph.D. career at Duquesne with coursework and laboratory rotations. At the end of the first year, students choose a Ph.D. mentor. At the end of the second year, students must pass a comprehensive Qualifying Exam. Successful completion of the Qualifying Exam is required to proceed in the Ph.D. program.
The majority of the coursework is completed before the Qualifying Exam. Students must maintain a 3.0 QPA. Teaching and research assistantships providing tuition and a support stipend are provided for qualified Ph.D. candidates.
The main requirement for the Ph.D. degree, beyond the coursework and Qualifying Exam, is for the student to carry out a research project that significantly enhances the understanding of their field. The best evidence for this is publication of the research in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national or international meetings. The student finishes their degree by writing a Ph.D. dissertation, presenting a seminar to the Department on their work, and successfully defending the dissertation to their Faculty Committee.
September 2025
Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
100 Mellon Hall,
600 Forbes Avenue,
PITTSBURGH,
Pennsylvania,
15282, United States
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in biology (or a related discipline) with a basic foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
The minimum required TOEFL score is 100.
Application Deadline: Fall 2021 Admission: December 15th
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
