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 deadline to submit an application to the Graduate College for admission to the CMB Program 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 submitted by December 1. Completed applications will be reviewed by the CMB Recruitment and Admissions Committee for appropriate qualifications, skills, knowledge, motivation and competitiveness. Decisions will be based on a variety of criteria, including, undergraduate GPA, letters of reference, statement of purpose, educational background as demonstrated on all transcripts, and an interview. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.
Interview Process
The CMB Program host interviews usually in January or February of each year. 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
Funding
For the first two years, CMB students are offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship that provides a stipend of $34,375, tuition waiver for up to 23 credits and UVM student health insurance. Students may be required to pay additional fees (e.g. international taxes). It is expected that funding for students past the second year will come from the research mentor or the department of the research mentor. Some students have opted to apply for, and receive, independent funding.
Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our frequently asked questions website for additional information about the admissions process.