Biology Graduate Group
At anytime, the Biology Graduate Group has approximately 60 graduate
students, both men and women, from all parts of the United States
and from
a number of foreign countries including China, Korea, Turkey,
Uruguay, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Iran, Mali, and others. The Biology
Graduate Group, though home based
in the Department of Biology, is comprised of faculty members not
only from the Department of Biology, but also other departments
in the University including those of the Medical School. In addition,
there are also members of the Biology Graduate Group from other
affiliated academic institutions such as the Wistar Institute,
Fox Chase Center for Cancer Research, and the Academy of Natural
Sciences.
Hence, Biology Graduate Group students have the opportunity to
do their dissertation research within or outside of the department.
Opportunities are available to work on research problems using
a diverse array of microorganisms, plants, or animals. Research
interests of the faculty include genetics and molecular biology;
bioinformatics, cellular and developmental biology,
neurobiology; behavior and ethology; and ecology, population biology
and evolution.
The graduate program stresses a close interrelationship between
students and faculty, a strong grounding in fundamentals, and an
early emphasis on research. Students undertake lab rotations in
their first year to gain experience with different research problems
and acquaint themselves with different research laboratories. Teaching
experience is also included as part of the graduate training to
prepare students for an academic career. A high degree of interaction
derives from weekly student seminars, departmental seminars, journal
clubs and the annual department retreat.
The Graduate Group in Biology offers programs leading to the Ph.D.
degree only; applicants interested in a terminal master’s degree
are not considered for admission.
Financial Support for Graduate Studies
Students who are accepted into the program may be eligible for
financial support on one of several training grants on campus;
however,
students who are not awarded such financial assistance will be
supported by Teaching Assistantships, until such time when they
are supported
by a Research Fellowship. All students accepted into the Biology
Graduate Group receive full tuition support, the general fee,
and
an annual stipend of $25,000. In addition, the Student Health Fee
is paid by the School of Arts and Sciences, for a minimum of five
years, while a student is in the program. Students received full
support for a minimum of five years while in good academic standing
and thesis research is progressing at a satisfactory pace.
As information,
in the 2007-2008 academic year, the tuition is $4,509
per course
unit,
with a maximum charge of $17,820 for one semester, including the
general fee. The tuition for students who have completed all
course
requirements for the Ph.D. degree is $2,839 each semester, until
all requirements for the degree are met.
Housing
Housing, both on- and off-campus, are available for single and
married graduate students. On campus, the University offers
apartment
and suite living on a twelve-month-lease basis in two modern
graduate towers. Various rooms, apartments, and eating places
are available
in the neighborhood of Penn. For a single student, it is estimated
that room and board can cost approximately $8,000 or more per
semester.
Affiliations
The Biology Graduate Group is affiliated with and cooperates
with the Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) program in the University
of Pennsylvania Medical School. However, the Biology Graduate
Group is administratively and financially distinct from BGS.
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Graduate Program