The Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) at Washington University in St. Louis provides biosciences doctoral students with a supportive learning environment for scientific discovery. Throughout your training in our PhD programs, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and equipped to address big questions in science and in the world.

 

PhD Programs

We offer 12 PhD programs in the biosciences in an outstanding research environment amid the wonderful city of St. Louis and its surrounding areas. Additionally, we offer Summer Research Programs designed to provide undergraduates with an opportunity to enhance their research and learn more about the scholastic community at DBBS. Click on the links below to learn more about each PhD program:

Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology

Biomedical Informatics & Data Science (BIDS)

Cancer Biology

Computational & Systems Biology

Developmental, Regenerative & Stem Cell Biology

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Immunology

Molecular Cell Biology

Molecular Genetics & Genomics

Molecular Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Neurosciences

Plant & Microbial Biosciences

 

Summer Undergraduate Research Programs

The AMGEN Scholars Program at DBBS provides undergraduate students with an incredible opportunity to experience our outstanding, cutting-edge research environment. Scholars are fully immersed in the process of scientific discovery and the culture of graduate education, culminating in the AMGEN Symposium and a closing poster session and symposium at Washington University in St. Louis. Visit our website to learn more about our summer undergraduate research opportunities.

DBBS Quick Facts

• All of our programs are for doctoral degrees; we do not offer masters degrees. 
   
• Our programs are fully funded for all accepted students. Funding includes full tuition, an annual stipend ($38,500 USD), health coverage, and additional benefits. Visit our website to learn more about our funding package.
   
• The application will open from September 1-December 1 at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time each year. We do not offer rolling admissions. Visit our website to learn more about our application and admissions process.
   
• An applicant's eligibility for a fee waiver is automatically assessed upon submission of the application. Fee waivers will then be automatically applied (visit our website for more information about DBBS' fee waiver policy and eligibility requirements). 
  Please note: we cannot provide fee waivers to applicants who reside outside of the United States.
   
• We do not have a cap or quota on international students. We actively seek out the best and the brightest to be part of our community of scientists and researchers, regardless of origin. Typically, international students form 40% of our cohort each fall. International students are generally required to provide official English Language Placement (ELP) test scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo. Visit our website to learn more about ELP requirements and university policy.