Apply to Biology Graduate Programs – Department of Biology

Thank you for your interest in graduate school in the Department of Biology at Colorado State University!

To apply for an MS, PhD, or PSM degree through our department, please use the Online Graduate Application.

For full consideration for fall admission, please have your application materials in by January 1st. For full consideration for spring admission, please have your application materials in by October 1st.

**Please note that the PSM only admits students for fall, and that we continue to accept and review applications until we have a full cohort.

CRITERIA

A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for regular admittance to our graduate programs, but applicants can be admitted provisionally if they have cumulative GPA between 2.8 and 3.0 OR if they have a cumulative GPA below 2.8 and a grade of B or better in six credits of regular, graduate‐level CSU coursework (500 level or higher). Provisionally admitted students must achieve a 3.0 GPA in the first semester of graduate school to remain in the program. Unofficial transcripts may be used for the graduate application, but official transcripts must be submitted by the end of the first semester of graduate school. GRE scores are NOT required for admission to our graduate programs. For international students, we adhere to the Graduate School’s requirements for English language proficiency on the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic tests. Finally, most of our competitive applicants have had research experience and have demonstrated a passion for biology and a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals.

Final admissions decisions to the MS and PhD Programs rely heavily on finding a “match” between a prospective applicant and a graduate advisor. We encourage you to contact potential advisors about the possibility of joining their laboratories. Tell these potential advisors about yourself (e.g. your research background and goals, your academic record, as well as any work experience you may have had), and ask if they are currently taking new students. Admission to the PSM program does not require identification of a graduate advisor.

MS and PhD graduate students advised by faculty in our department can also participate in multi-departmental graduate programs including:

If you are interested in joining and/or having your degree conferred through one of these programs, please see their website for admissions procedures.

Thank you again for your interest. We look forward to learning more about you!