Revolutionary developments in biology are creating new approaches to solving biomedical and environmental problems. The School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech conducts exceptional research at the leading edge of biological sciences and provides high quality, innovative education for our graduates. 

Our Ph.D. program applications are due in December each year. We evaluate applications in December, January, and February, make offers in March, and expect responses from candidates who have been made offers by mid-April. Please see biosciences.gatech.edu for M.S. application deadlines.

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Graduate programs

• Ph.D. and M.S. in Biology, with areas of concentration in:
  • Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
  • Molecular and Cell Biology
  • Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
• Ph.D. in Applied Physiology
• Dual Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)/Ph.D. in Applied Physiology (Emory University)
• Ph.D. and M.S. in Bioinformatics: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
• Ph.D. in Ocean Science and Engineering
• Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences
• Ph.D. and M.S. in Computational Science and Engineering
• Astrobiology Graduate Certification Program

Funding information

Ph.D. students obtain stipends either via GRAs, GTAs, or fellowships such as the NSF GRFP, NIH NRSA, and other competitive fellowships. The tuition is covered via tuition remission by the thesis advisor’s grant(s) or via a tuition waiver for GTAs. The Ph.D. student is responsible for fees (Fall: $758, Spring: $758, Summer: slightly less than fall and spring semesters, subject to change annually. Please visit the Bursar’s website for details). 

The current stipend for 2026-27 is $37,500/year (~$3,125/month). Exceptions occur only for external fellowships and internal awards. 

Most Ph.D. students are supported by GTAs during their first year unless they have obtained a fellowship or are funded via a GRA. Beyond the first year, 70-80% of Ph.D. students are supported on a GRA, 20-30% as GTAs, and 10-15% via fellowships and other funding sources. The decision between a GRA and GTA is discussed with the thesis advisor for subsequent semesters. 

Application fee waiver request

Please email the Academic Program Manager for details: grad@biosci.gatech.edu. 

Our research centers

• Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center: At Georgia Tech we have organized a diverse group of ecologists, chemists, sensory biologists, engineers, and quantitative modelers to focus on chemical cues that many organisms use to make basic survival decisions.
• Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI): CMDI is an interdisciplinary collaboration at Georgia Tech seeking to understand the ecology, interactions, and evolution of microbes. 
• Center for the Study of Systems Biology: Recognized by most experts in the field as the future of biology, Systems Biology seeks to understand how complex living systems interact with each other so that we can diagnose and treat disorders such as cancer.
• Integrated Cancer Research Center (ICRC): ICRC’s mission is to facilitate the integration of the diverse technological, computational, scientific, and medical expertise at Georgia Tech, partnering with institutions in a coordinated effort to develop improved cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

More information

For more information, please see biosci.gatech.edu, or contact the school’s Academic Program Manager at grad@biosci.gatech.edu.