UTMB

The Application Process

Here we review the requirements for application to the BSCB program and provide instructions for navigating through the UTMB online application.

Admissions

Requirements

  1. Official transcripts must be submitted as evidence of satisfactory completion of:
    • A Baccalaureate degree with a strong background in physics, a biological science or chemistry at an accredited university, college or institution. Laboratory course work in biology or chemistry is required. Equivalent degrees and training will also be considered.
    • Appropriate prerequisite undergraduate course work with a grade point average no less than 3.0 (on a scale of 1-4, 4.0 being the highest). The grade point average of science and other courses required for acceptance into the Program should be no less than 3.2. For students from education systems employing different grading systems, the Dean's office will evaluate each individual's record of academic performance.
    • Completion of the prerequisite course work, which includes: mathematics, physics, general with laboratory experience, organic chemistry with laboratory experience, biology and English (all applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English).
  2. Graduate Record Examination
    • The applicant must submit official scores for the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past 5 years.
    • A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL is required for applicants whose native language is not English.
    • All students applying for admission to the Program, including foreign students, are required to take the GRE and to have official scores sent to the Graduate School, although the Program may evaluate the applicant without an official score. GRE scores will be used on a case-by-case fashion and further analysis of scores will be carried out as needed. Applicants are strongly advised to take the advanced GRE in either biology or chemistry.
  3. Letters of Reference
    • Three letters of reference should be sent by individuals who can evaluate the integrity, accomplishments, academic potential and capabilities of the applicant.
  4. Statement of Intent
    • Applicants are required to submit a 2-page statement of intent where they indicate their areas of interest and future goals.
  5. Interview
    • Applicants may be asked to come to Galveston, for an interview.

Online Application

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) uses a common application form for admissions to its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (which contains the Graduate Program in Biophysical, Structural, and Computational Biology), its School of Allied Health Sciences, and its School of Nursing. All applications are processed through UTMB's Office of the Registrar.

Please follow these directions when using the online application:

  1. The BSCB program keyword in the following application is: PDBMSB.
  2. Go to The UTMB Online Application and select new applicant registration form under the first time application section, and complete the form. This establishes an account for you.
  3. Completely fill out the application, including remitting the application fee, providing letters of reference, etc. The system incrementally saves your online application information, so you don't have to fill it all out at once.
  4. (Suggested): Go to our Contact page and let our program coordinator, Debora Botting, know that you will be applying to our program. Let her know if you have any questions or comments.