Brief Program Overview
The Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences doctoral program trains students to:
- Become scholars in their field
- Conduct hypothesis-based research in an ethically responsible manner
- Think independently, creatively, and critically
- Effectively communicate as teachers, researchers, and scholars
The CMB curriculum gives students fundamental knowledge and applied skills to prepare them for future positions in science and research. The core courses include biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, ethics, data analysis and science communication. Students hone their writing skills in our Biomedical Grantsmanship course, and have a variety of opportunities for presentations through small lab group discussions, departmental presentations, CMB seminar, serving as a graduate teaching assistant and in later years at UVM hosted research celebrations. During the first year, CMB students engage in three research rotations with potential advisors to find the right research learning environment for dissertation work. Students complete core course requirements and the required comprehensive exam by the end of year two.
Application Requirements & Deadlines
Applications for graduate admission to any UVM program must be submitted online to the UVM Graduate College. The CMB application portal opens August 1, and the deadline to submit a CMB application is December 1st. The application requires:
- General application and fee (review application fee waiver eligibility and process here)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official or unofficial transcript of all colleges attended
- Statement of purpose (personal summary of interest)
- English Proficiency Examination Scores for non-US residents. Minimum required test score to be funded as a CMB student are:
- TOEFL = 100
- iELTS = 7.0
- Duolingo = 120
All applicants must have the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree, which consists of 16 years of formal education. The University of Vermont does not recognize a Higher National Diploma (HND) as equivalent to a US bachelor's degree. For more information about applying as an international candidate, please visit the International Student Admissions office website.
Application Review Process
All application materials, including fee waivers, must be completed by 11:59pm, December 1. Completed applications will be reviewed by the CMB Admissions Committee for appropriate qualifications, skills, knowledge, and motivation. Decisions will be based on a variety of criteria, including letters of reference, personal statement, educational background as demonstrated on all transcripts and, in some cases an interview. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. *Please see the Admissions FAQ below for more guidance and advice on preparing your application.
After the initial review of applications, the Admissions Committee will select a certain number of applicants for follow-up online interviews, to be held in late January. The online interviews are used both to gather additional information about the applicants prior to making a final decision on their application, as well as to provide the applicants an opportunity to meet CMB faculty and students, and to learn about the CMB program.
Successful applicants will either receive an offer of admission to the CMB program or be placed on a waitlist. Applicants should expect to hear a decision on their application status sometime in early February 2026. Admitted students will be invited to an in-person Admitted Student Visit Day at UVM to be held in March 2026. Admission offers to waitlisted applicants may occur as late as mid to late April 2026.
Interview Process
The CMB Program host online interviews usually in late January. The interviews are another way for the admissions team to assess an applicant, prior to making a final decision on their application. Additionally, interviewees will have an opportunity to meet with members of the CMB community to learn more about the program, resources, facilities and get a sense of what life is like as a UVM graduate student living in the Burlington area.
Helpful Links
Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our frequently asked questions website for additional information about the admissions process.