Integrated Molecular Life Sciences Doctoral Program
About the program
The Integrated Molecular Life Sciences Doctoral Program at Kansas State University seeks motivated applicants with a passion for advancing knowledge in the life sciences through innovative, cross-disciplinary research. Successful candidates should have a solid foundation in biology or related disciplines and a desire to pursue intensive research in one of our participating departments.
What to expect
Doctoral students begin their interdisciplinary journey with three lab rotations in eight academic units: interdepartmental Genetics; Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology (College of Agriculture); Anatomy and Physiology (College of Veterinary Medicine); Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology (College of Arts and Sciences); and Kinesiology (College of Health and Human Sciences). Students will pursue a specialized curriculum that introduces advanced life sciences techniques and research methodologies. This foundational experience helps students explore different areas of study before choosing a department and a research advisor by the end of their first year.
Submit your application!
Required materials to include in the application
Official university transcripts
An unofficial copy of your transcripts (a scanned student copy or secure PDF) will be requested with the application. If you are admitted to the program, you will receive instructions for submitting your official transcripts.
Applicants are expected to have a four-year Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (a three-year Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree is also acceptable), appropriate and adequate coursework, and an average of B or better in the junior and senior years (or an excellent postgraduate record).
One-page statement of academic objectives
Instructions are given in the application system.
Three letters of recommendation from professors or employers
After entering your references' names and contact information, they are sent instructions for providing the recommendation.
Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional)
GRE scores may be sent to Kansas State University directly from ETS. GRE verbal and quantitative scores at or above the 80th percentile are preferred.
Official TOEFL scores
(for international applicants only whose native language is not English)
If English is not your native language, you are required to demonstrate competence in the English language with an official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System-academic exam (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE). Test scores must be sent to Kansas State University and reported on your Graduate School application. Learn more about English proficiency requirements.
In addition, to be considered for an assistantship, Kansas law requires a minimum score of 22 on the speaking portion of the Internet Based TOEFL (IBT). For those already at Kansas State, a score of 50 or above on the SPEAK test, offered by appointment through the KSU English Language Program, may be substituted.
For the TOEFL test, the University code is 6334, the Statistics Department code is 59. At this time the University does not accept IELTS speaking scores for assistantships. Please upload a copy of your official score report to your online application.