- Here you can find everything you need to apply to our Biology Graduate Program and more!
The Graduate Program in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, offers various opportunities for students seeking a research career in Biology, a discipline with a growing social, economic, and environmental impact worldwide. Those pursuing alternative careers in industry, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, among others, will gain practical research experience and an understanding of how science is conducted and how it can improve our daily lives.
The program is part of the Department of Biology in the College of Natural Sciences at the Río Piedras Campus. Additionally, our department maintains close ties with the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico, the Institute of Neurobiology, the Institute of Tropical Ecosystem Studies of UPR-RP, and the Department of Environmental Studies at UPR-RP, significantly expanding opportunities for our graduate students.
The Department has modern laboratory facilities and resources, utilizing both traditional and non-traditional model organisms to address various lines of research. Furthermore, the vast diversity of ecosystems in Puerto Rico and their easy accessibility translate into research opportunities in the Caribbean and the continental Neotropics.
The Graduate Program in Biology offers two distinct degrees through regular admission:
- Master of Science with a specialization in Biology (MS)
- Doctor of Philosophy with a specialization in Biology (PhD)
In addition, students interested in taking graduate courses can apply for admission through “Study Permission” (non-degree), allowing them to fulfill prerequisites before regular admission.
The Ph.D. degree is offered through the Inter-Campus Doctoral Program of the University of Puerto Rico, established in 1980 between the Department of Biology of the Río Piedras Campus (UPR-RP) and the Basic Science Departments of the Faculty of Medicine (UPR-MS). This program is highly flexible, offering students the option to take most courses in their areas of interest.
In both cases, students enrolled in the program must develop a research thesis (master’s) or dissertation (doctorate) under the mentorship of a principal investigator affiliated with the program.
For master’s students, faculty members from the Department of Biology and some members of the Department of Environmental Sciences are eligible to serve as thesis advisors. For doctoral students, faculty members from the Department of Biology, some members of the Departments of Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences, and Chemistry, as well as members of the Basic Science Departments of the Medical Sciences Campus, are eligible to serve as dissertation advisors.
The program offers courses organized around various specialties/tracks that allow students to acquire general and in-depth knowledge in four main areas of biology: Bioscience and Genomics, Neuroscience, Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity, and Microbiology.
- Tracks
The program offers courses organized around various specialties/tracks that allow students to acquire general and in-depth knowledge in four main areas of biology: Bioscience and Genomics, Neuroscience, Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity, and Microbiology.
The Biosciences and Genomics Track (BioG) brings together scientists from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and several departments of the School of Medicine at the UPR, which conducts research in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Genomics. This track expects selected students to participate in BioG activities, such as seminars and workshops. Starting of the second year they are expected to attend and present their work at national or international conferences. Participating students must become members of the society professional closest to your field of study.
The Neuroscience Program brings together scientists from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, the different departments of the School of Medicine of the UPR and the Institute of Neurobiology. This program began in 2004, as part of the Program Specialized Research in Neuroscience (SNRP) funded by NINDS. Students are expected to selected participants participate in program activities, such as seminars, workshops and others. Starting of the second year are expected to attend and present their work at the Annual Conference of Neuroscience of Puerto Rico and other national or international neuroscience conferences. The program encourages all participating students to become members of the Society of Neurosciences.
The Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity track brings together scientists in a wide range of ecological and evolutionary research at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Participating departments include the Departments of Biology and Environmental Sciences. Additional participants include scientists from the U.S. Forest Service. Selected students are expected to participate in EEB activities such as seminars and workshops. Beginning in the second year, they are expected to attend and present their work at national and international meetings on Evolution or Ecology, such as the annual conference of the Society for the Study of Evolution or the Ecological Society of America. Participating students must become members of the professional society closest to their field of study.
The Microbiology Program brings together scientists who carry out research in Microbiology at the Río Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico and at the UPR Faculty of Medicine. Selected students are expected to participate in activities sponsored by the Program, such as seminars, workshops and others. Starting in the second year, they are expected to attend and present their work at national and international Microbiology conferences. Participating students must become members of the professional society closest to their field of study.
To complete the degree, students must meet program requirements according to the degree:
Master of Science (MS):
• 30 credits
• Core Courses: 6 credits
• Elective Courses: 12 credits (5 of these can be research courses)
• Participation in departmental seminars: 2 credits
• Course: Special Topics in Modern Biology: 4 credits
• Thesis Credits: 6 credits
• Teaching Experience: 1 semester
• Degree Examination
• Thesis Proposal
• Research Thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
• 60 credits
• Core Courses: 9 credits
• Elective Courses: 24 credits (9 of these can be research courses)
• Participation in departmental seminars: 2 credits
• Course: Special Topics in Modern Biology: 4 credits
• Doctoral Seminar Courses: 3 credits
• Dissertation Credits: 18 credits
• Teaching Experience: 2 semesters
• Degree Examination
• Dissertation Proposal
• Doctoral Dissertation
Course Selection:
Course selection depends on the specialty (Track) chosen by the student, following the mentor’s recommendations and guidance.
Biosciences and Genomics
Modular courses:
- Biol.Cel. Mol I
- Biol. Cel. Mol II
- Bioinformatics
Elective Courses
- Molecular Genetics
- Functional Genomics
- Molecular Evolution
- Biochemistry
- Biology of Development
- Structural Biology
Neurosciences
Modular courses:
- Biol. Cel. Mol I
- Neurobiology I
- Neurobiology II
Elective Courses:
- Neurobiology of Behavior
- Neuropharmacology
- Neurochemistry
- Synaptic Transmission
- Biology of Development
Ecology, Evolution & Biodiversity
Modular Courses:
- Advance Ecology
- Evolution
- Bio-conservation
Elective Courses:
- Taxonomy
- Population Ecology
- Microbial Ecology
- Natural History
- Symbiosis
- Sustentability
Microbiology
Modular Courses:
- Biol. Cel. Mol I
- Microbial Ecology
- Microbiomes
Elective Courses:
- Microbial Ecology
- Symbiosis and Ecosystem
- Biostatistics
- Bioinformatics
- Biogeochemistry
- Financial Assistance
As part of admission to the Graduate Program in Biology, all admitted students receive financial assistance in their first year through the Formative Academic Experiences Program (PEAF) by serving as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses. This assistance includes a monthly stipend and tuition payment. The assistantship is renewable for up to 3 years for master’s students and up to 6 years for doctoral students, maintaining academic progress.
After the first year, students are eligible for scholarships and research assistantships coordinated by the Graduate Studies and Research Dean’s Office (DEGI). Financial aid is also available through other UPR system programs, such as NIH-RISE, NIH-NeuroGrad, NSF-LS-AMP, among others, and research assistantships granted by principal investigators to their students through external funds.
Additionally, the program has funds to partially finance travel to conferences, courses, or other matters.
- Want to apply? Let's see what you need.
The Graduate Program in Biology offers admissions to start in January and August of each year! Admissions deadline (for August 2024): April 1, 2024
Apply now: https://solicitud.upr.edu
All necessary information for application can be found on the Rio Piedras Campus Graduate Studies and Research Dean’s Office page: http://graduados.uprrp.edu
Requisites of Admission
- Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or its equivalent, in Sciences, preferably in Biology from a recognized university.
- General average of 3.00 points on a scale of 4.00
- Average in Science courses of 3.00 points on a scale of 4.00
- Have completed the following requirements:
- At least one course in two of the following areas: (1) Genetics, (2) Developmental Biology, Cellular/Molecular Biology, and (3) Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology.
- Two semesters of General Physics, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry with their respective laboratories.
- A Calculus course.
- Management of the Spanish and English language, given that the courses are offered in both languages.
- Research experience (not a requirement for a master’s degree but is highly recommended for students interested in the doctoral program).
Documents Required for Admission
To apply for the program, all students must complete the Application for Admission to Graduate Studies in electronic format through the portal: https://solicitud.upr.edu
Through this portal, the student must also attach the following documents:
- A personal essay describing: (1) your academic background, (2) previous research experiences, (3) short, medium, and long-term goals, (4) your research interests, and (5) how to pursue graduate studies at our department will contribute to your professional development. If you have a possible thesis mentor in mind, please indicate it. It is recommended that it be 1 to 2 pages.
- An official copy of transcripts of credits with degree awarded. To complete the application on the portal, the applicant can upload a “student copy”, but eventually an official copy will be needed, this can be sent directly from their institution physically or electronically. Foreign students must also attach a degree certification or diploma.
- Three letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with your academic work. The student must indicate, in the portal, the email address of the teachers who will write the letters of recommendation. A link to upload the letters will be created and automatically sent by the application portal to the teacher.
- Optional: Evidence of research work, professional excellence, presentation of scientific work at conferences and/or copies of published articles.
All documents must be included through the application platform. If you encounter any difficulties, you can also send supporting documents by email or regular mail to:
Alfredo Ghezzi
Coordinator, UPRRP Graduate Biology Program
17 Ave. University, Ste. 1701
San Juan, PR 00925
biology.grad@upr.edu
- Contact Information
For more information about the program:
Program Coordinator: Alfredo Ghezzi, PhD: alfredo.ghezzi@upr.edu
Student Affairs Officer: Aidamarie Perez: aidamarie.perez@upr.edu
For problems with the application platform:
Graduate Admissions Coordinator: Maria Castro: maria.castro19@upr.edu