GUIDE TO OUR GRADUATE PROGRAM

The Department of Biological Sciences offers research and training that leads to the M.S. and Ph.D. degree. Major areas of study include:

Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Microbiology/Immunology
Molecular, Cell, Developmental, and Computational Biology

We take a holistic approach to graduate education by promoting both research skills and the ability to communicate effectively with professional colleagues and undergraduate students. Graduate students may elect to also earn a Future Professoriate certificate, which includes additional courses and mentored classroom teaching.

Our faculty members encourage graduate students to reach their full creative and scholarly potential. Opportunities for research span multiple biological disciplines. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the department's website to learn about faculty research areas. Contacting individual faculty members and their students prior to formal application provides an opportunity to explore mutual interests and discuss academic and career goals.

Academics & Plan of Study

Graduate students, in consultation with their major advisors and entire advising committee, design programs of study that include cutting edge research, courses that support their particular interests, and at least one semester of a teaching experience. The Department of Biological Sciences has strengths in multiple biological disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology; computational biology and genomics; microbiology and immunology; aquatic ecology and microbial ecology; genetics, systematics and evolutionary biology; and integrated organismal biology and behavior. This allows students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their areas of interest.

In addition, the department participates in interdepartmental graduate programs, providing students with opportunities for cooperative research with other departments and units across the university. Some of these programs are full degree-granting programs, and others are non-degree granting interdisciplinary educational programs.

Interviews & On-Campus Visits

Prospective students are interviewed by department faculty to better determine their fit in individual labs and the program as a whole. This process may involve interviews over the phone or by Zoom. Highly qualified candidates may be invited for on-campus visits. The department sponsors a recruitment weekend in early spring where applicants are able to meet faculty and current graduate students. The department pays the travel expenses of highly qualified applicants for visits during the recruitment weekend, or at other times as needed.

Assistantships & Financial Aid

All admitted students are considered for financial aid in the form of graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs), graduate research assistantships (GRAs), and fellowships offered by departments or the Graduate School. These forms of financial aid include a monthly stipend, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits. More information on graduate assistantships can be found here.

Living in Blacksburg

The Graduate School offers limited on-housing options, but a wide variety of living accommodations are available off campus. Apartment rent varies, but rooms in multi-room units are available for as low as $350 per month and single-room apartments as low as $1,500 per month. Virginia Tech provides off-campus housing listings and information where students can search for housing or list ads searching for roommates.

Virginia Tech operates 56 venues at 10 dining centers and two food trucks across campus, providing convenient meal options for everyone. Meal plans may be purchased by students living on- or off-campus.

The University

Virginia Tech was founded in 1872 as the land-grant college in Virginia. It is now a comprehensive university consisting of nine colleges, the Graduate School, the School of Veterinary Medicine, the School of Medicine, and many interdisciplinary research centers. Graduate degrees are offered in more than 120 programs.

Surrounding Area

The university is located in Blacksburg, a town of almost 43,000, in scenic southwestern Virginia. The campus lies between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, an area noted for its natural beauty. Virginia Tech's proximity to woodlands, aquatic systems, and other diverse habitats makes it an ideal location for field studies and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Numerous cultural attractions, such as concert series, Broadway stage presentations, film series, music ensembles, and performances by other groups, provide a rich program for the campus community. Roanoke, the commercial and aviation hub of the area, is 38 miles east of the campus and is easily reached via four-lane highways (U.S. 460 and Interstate 81).