Prospective Students

Thank you for your interest in our graduate programs in the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue!

We have a vibrant graduate program that will prepare you for today's challenging academic, industry, and government job markets. With nationally and internationally recognized faculty, our Department's research programs cover the gamut from understanding the structure of viruses to understanding the structure of ecological communities.

Additionally, we actively foster a collegial climate among all members of the Department. Faculty collaborate across disciplines, and labs frequently share resources. What we value in our graduate students are features such as determination, resilience, independence, critical thinking, creativity, and a strong work ethic. We aim to recruit highly motivated applicants who demonstrate evidence of these characteristics through their academics, research, and other activities.

Overall, our program will provide you with the opportunities to actively learn and develop multiple skillsets to be highly competitive for post-graduate career markets!

The deadline for our program is December 1, 2025. Due to the large number of applications we receive each year, and the limited number of available slots, we cannot typically accept late applications. 

Ready to Apply? Submit your application our Graduate Programs using the Purdue OGSPS Application Management System.

Below are the general eligibility requirements to apply to our graduate programs.

• We accept applications from both domestic and international candidates for all our programs.
• US applicants have an average GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• International applicants are typically in the top 5% of their graduating class, or higher. Typically, a 3.00/4.00 grade point average (GPA) is considered a minimum requirement.
• All international applicants are required to submit a TOEFL and must meet the minimum English proficiency requirements of the OGSPS as outlined HERE. IELTS and Duolingo are also accepted. Waivers may be requested if from an official English-speaking country or a current Purdue University student meeting required criteria.

Other documents that are required for the graduate application are listed below:

• Transcripts from previous degrees or institutions attended.
• At least three recommendation letters.
• Academic statement of purpose.
• Personal history statement.
• Resume.
• Dept-specific questionnaire (10 questions total).

The current stipend for PhD and MS Thesis students is $34,000 each year with the total package worth $71,534, which includes the stipend, health insurance, tuition remission, and other fees. Final numbers may vary from year to year.

Terms of Graduate Funding:

No separate financial aid application is necessary, each applicant is automatically considered for all available funding.

• PhD graduate students admitted to our program are guaranteed at least five (5) years financial support (12-month appointments) as long as they are making progress towards their degree and remain in good standing in the program.
• MS Thesis students are guaranteed at least two years of support (10-month appointments) as long as they remain in good standing in the program.
• Summer support depends on the major professor's research grants.
• Details for individual offers are outlined in the student's official offer letters and may vary.

Graduate Funding Options:

• Research Assistantships.
• Teaching Assistantships.
  Appointments are available for the following time periods; >approximately 20 hours per week:
  • Ten (10) months appointment.
  • Two (2) month summer appointments.
• Fellowships (are awarded by the Department - there is no application):
  • PhD applicants:
    • Purdue Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) (4 year).
    • Andrews (2 year).
    • Ross (1 year).
  • Master applicants:
    • Knox (2 year): Nominated by the Admission Committee.
    • Subsequent years of support are normally through teaching or research appointments.
  • Awards (one-time award for outstanding applicants in addition to any other funding the applicant has received):
    • PT Gilham.
    • Rosenberg.
    • Andrew - John Scott A. & the Ella A.

Additional Funding Opportunities:

• Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website.
• NSF Graduate Fellowships and NSF Minority Graduate Fellowships.
  • All applicants are expected to use NSF's FastLane Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) process.
  • Inquiries should be made early, as the deadline for filing the application is normally the first week of November.

Fee Remission:

• Tuition is covered under all assistantships except for the Graduate Staff Fee.
• University funded fellowships are treated as assistantships.
• International Students: Purdue provides many services unique to international students. Due to the costs of providing these services, it is necessary for the international students to help pay for a portion of these services, which are directly related to them. International students pay an additional $50 fee per sessions (including summer) they are registered.

Employment Opportunities for Spouses:
There are opportunities for student spouses to find employment. Go to the Employment at Purdue for information on how to apply, and job openings.

Faculty members from the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University explain what they want to see in a successful grad school application. It's about more than test scores and accomplishments. We understand choosing a graduate program is about culture and fit, too. Tell us who you are, why you want to be here and what you hope to accomplish.

What are the application deadlines?

The deadline for our graduate application (PhD, MS, Non-degree) is December 1st which applies to all domestic and international applicants.

How do I pay the application fee?

You must pay your application fee online with your credit card. Visa and MasterCard cards are accepted and processed using a secured online payment system. Your application will not be processed until your non-refundable application fee has been paid.

Can I get an application fee waiver?

The graduate application fee can be waived under certain circumstances, one time only. Email Biological Sciences Graduate Office to be considered. Additional opportunities for waivers can be found on the OGSPS website. Current Purdue students may also qualify for fee waivers if they meet specific criteria.

Are copies of my transcript, degree certificates, recommendation letters, and English proficiency scores acceptable?

Online submitted transcripts and other documents are acceptable, please review the OGSPS website for more info on Required Materials.

What are the Departmental and Institutional Codes for me to send official copies of my English proficiency scores?

Institution Code: 1631

Department Codes are not required as long as the correct Institution code is used.

Can I turn in materials after the deadline?

Yes, materials can be turned in after the deadline. However, applications missing important required components at the time of review maybe not receive a favorable assessment.

How long until a decision is made on my application?

Admissions decisions are typically completed by the end of January. 

Can I check the status of my Graduate School application?

Yes, you can monitor the status of your application online. Admissions decisions will also be emailed by the graduate chair.

Who Do I contact with my decision to Accept/Decline Admissions?

If an offer is made, we would appreciate hearing from you as soon as you make your decision to attend or not attend our program. In asking a student for an early reply, Purdue University Graduate School and this department are not asking the student to relinquish any privilege, if it is felt necessary to wait until April 15. However, your early response would be helpful to us in planning for the coming year. Also if we know early that you are going to decline our offer, it enables us to extend an offer to another applicant. All admissions offers are valid until April 15 for the academic year applied. Please email your decision to the Biological Sciences Graduate Office.

How does the cost of living compare?

Refer to Purdue Cost of Living website for the cost of living. Or visit Purdue Housing Guide.

What about financial aid?

PhD graduate students admitted to our program are guaranteed at least five (5) years financial support (12-month appointments) as long as they are making progress towards their degree and remain in good academic standing in the program. The type of summer support depends on the major professor's research grants

Masters students are guaranteed at least two years of support (10-month appointments) as long as they remain in good standing in the program. Summer support depends on the major professor's research grants

Is there graduate student insurance?

Graduate students are offered health insurance that also includes a vision plan.

What housing options are there?

Visit our Why go to Purdue and the Lafayette/W.Lafayette Area page.

How many applications do you receive each year?

On average we receive ~400 applications each year (PhD and MS).

How many students will be admitted this year?

On average we admit between 25-30 graduate students each year.

Is it helpful to have a MS degree?

Only if you received your undergraduate degree from a college/university that has a 3-year undergrad program.

Should I contact faculty in advance whose research interests me?

Applicants that are only interested in specific laboratories are encouraged to contact faculty in advance. However, this is not required and typically does not significantly affect an applicant's chances of success.

Contact the Graduate Office:

Patti Dimmitt
Senior Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Biological Sciences
Lilly Hall, Room 1-120
915 Mitch Daniels Blvd
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
E-mail: poliver@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-494-8142

Nicholas Noinaj
Associate Professor and Chair of Graduate Programs
Department of Biological Sciences
Hockmeyer Hall, HOCK 333
240 S. Martin Jischke Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
E-mail: nnoinaj@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-496-0061

Helpful hints:

• Email is preferred.
• Do not email anyone other than the Admissions Representatives noted above to inquire about your application status. The faculty will not typically be able to give you this information.
• Feel free to email faculty directly to learn more about their research focus and any potential opportunities they may have to work in their laboratories.