Biological & Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
The Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) is the admissions gateway and first-year academic home for students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees in any of the following 12 PhD programs at Yale: Cell Biology; Cellular and Molecular Physiology; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics; Experimental Pathology; Genetics; Immunobiology; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program; Microbiology; Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Pharmacology; and Program in Translational Biomedicine. Applicants interested in these programs should select BBS on the application and choose the BBS Track which best matches their research interests.
- Terminal Degrees Offered
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- PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
- Program Website
- Programs and Policies
Craig Roy
BBS Director
Jennifer Franzoni
BBS Administrative Assistant
Admission Requirements
Standardized Testing Requirements
GRE is not accepted.
English Language Requirement
TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English. BBS requires a score of at least 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based exam, and 100 on the internet-based exam. Please take the test no later than November and no earlier than 24 months prior to submitting your application. Use institution code 3987 when reporting your scores; you may enter any department code.
You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.
Admission Information
Please visit the BBS Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to questions about the application process. For general questions, please email bbs@yale.edu.
Track-Specific Admission Requirements
Biochemistry, Quantitative Biology, Biophysics and Structural Biology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants are expected to have a firm foundation in the sciences. Typical BQBS students will have taken courses in biochemistry; general, organic and physical chemistry; physics; and calculus.
Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants are expected
- to have a strong foundation in the basic sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics
- to have training in computing/informatics, including significant computer programming experience
Immunology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants are expected to have a firm foundation in the biological and physical sciences. It is preferred that students have taken courses in biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physics, and mathematics. Actual course requirements, however, are not fixed, and students with outstanding records in any area of the biological sciences may qualify for admission. There are no specific grade requirements for prior course work, but a strong performance in basic science courses is of great importance for admission.
Microbiology
The Microbiology Track has the same requirements as the general BBS requirements.
Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development
The MCGD Track has the same requirements as the general BBS entrance requirements.
Neuroscience
The Neuroscience Track has the same admissions requirements as the general BBS requirements.
Plant Molecular Biology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants to the Plant Molecular Biology Track must
- have a strong foundation in basic sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematics
- be committed to pursuing research in plant sciences for their PhD, and
- be interested in cross-disciplinary approaches to plant biology.
We encourage applications from international candidates as well as domestic candidates. We strongly encourage all applicants to contact a primary faculty member of the Plant Molecular Biology Track prior to applying. When applying please list the primary faculty that you have contacted in the appropriate section of the application.
Translational Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants should have a strong background in the biological, chemical, and/or physical sciences. For example, an undergraduate major/degree in biology, biochemistry, physiology, genetics, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or computer science could be appropriate. Courses in biology, biochemistry, organic and physical chemistry, and mathematics through elementary calculus, are strongly recommended.
Academic Information
Advising
Academic Resources
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Academic Calendar
The Graduate School's academic calendar lists important dates and deadlines related to coursework, registration, financial processes, and milestone events such as graduation.
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Featured Resource
Registration Information and Dates
https://registration.yale.edu/
Students must register every term in which they are enrolled in the Graduate School. Registration for a given term takes place the semester prior, and so it's important to stay on top of your academic plan. The University Registrar's Office oversees the systems that students use to register. Instructions about how to use those systems and the dates during which registration occurs can be found on their registration website.
BBS Tracks
There are 8 scientific areas (called 'Tracks') within BBS. Each Track has its own admissions committee, and if you are admitted to Yale, the Track to which you applied will be your scientific home throughout your first year. It is therefore important to apply to the Track which best matches your scientific interests. The Track name itself and the first year curriculum described in each Track’s Program of Study are often helpful indicators about the optimal Track for you.
Note that faculty are often listed in multiple Tracks, and faculty alone, therefore, are not the best indicator of which Track to which you should apply.
Each BBS Track has its own course requirements and course recommendations, though you will be able to take elective courses from anywhere in BBS. Each Track also has its own list of participating faculty, though with the guidance of your Track Director you will also be free to rotate in other BBS labs. At the end of your first year you will select a thesis lab and leave your Track to join a PhD-granting program.
Tracks:
Financial Information
PhD Stipend & Funding
PhD students at Yale are normally full-funded for a minimum of five years. During that time, our students receive a twelve-month stipend to cover living expenses and a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and student healthcare.