PhD Admission Information

Application OPEN

The application to the Physiological Sciences PhD program closes on December 15th for consideration of admittance for the following Fall. Applications will open back up in the early Spring after the deadline. 

Two ways to apply:

1. Apply directly to the Physiological Sciences Program. Instructions are below. 

2. Apply indirectly through the Arizona Biological Biomedical Sciences Program (ABBS). ABBS is an umbrella recruitment program that allows you to select coursework from Physiological Sciences in addition to several other programs during your first year of PhD training. After the first year, you will select your PhD program from the 8 participating programs, including the Physiological Sciences GIDP. 

Applicants interested in the MD/PhD should first apply to the UA College of Medicine Tucson MD/PhD program. After completing 2 years of medical school students may apply to join the Physiological Sciences PhD program.

Admission Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree from a college of university that grants degrees recognized by the University of Arizona. 
• A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• Undergraduate courses in the basic sciences, however, deficits in one area can be made up during the early phase of training if they are offset by strengths in other areas.  Undergraduate coursework in the following is recommended:
  • 2 semesters of coursework in the life sciences
  • 2 semesters of inorganic/introductory chemistry with labs (biochemistry is strongly recommended)
  • 2 semesters of physics with lab
  • 1 semester of mathematics (preferably calculus)
• Prior experience in a research laboratory is highly desirable, although not required.
• International applicants must provide official English proficiency scores. To see the test options and minimum scores please refer to the Graduate College English Proficiency information.

Further information on admission requirements for the University of Arizona Graduate College can be found on the Graduate College's Admissions Homepage.

Application Instructions

Preparation of your application should include:

• The submission of your online application via GradApp.
• GRE Scores - optional for PhD - official scores may be submitted electronically via ETS, using the institution code 4832.
• A personal statement, roughly 1000-1500 words, that may discuss your long-range goals; your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree; your interest in our program; information on your prior research and/or teaching experience (if any); and topics in physiology of particular interest to you.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation from current or former advisors or instructors, addressing your previous research laboratory experience, your academic qualification, your scientific potential, and your motivation for graduate work.
• International applicants must provide official English proficiency scores. To see the test options and and submission information please refer to the Graduate College English Proficiency information.

Application instructions for DACA students.

Technical problems submitting your application should be addressed to Graduate College Admissions office: GradAdmissions@grad.arizona.edu. Questions about the content of the application may be addressed to the Physiological Sciences GIDP, grad-physiologygidp@arizona.edu