The Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences at Washington University offers exceptional doctoral education at one of the nation's preeminent biomedical research centers. The Division includes 12 doctoral programs:
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Structural Biology
- Biomedical Informatics & Data Science
- Cancer Biology
- Computational & Systems Biology
- Developmental, Regenerative, & Stem Cell Biology
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Immunology
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Molecular Genetics & Genomics
- Molecular Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis
- Neurosciences
- Plant & Microbial Biosciences
A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to research and education is a hallmark of Washington University and the Division. As a universitywide consortium, the Division transcends departmental lines and removes traditional boundaries of scientific fields. Faculty and graduate students regularly cross disciplines, devising novel questions and approaches that might otherwise go unexplored. The Division consists of approximately 700 PhD and MD/PhD students, with more than 600 faculty members from 38 departments.
Washington University in St. Louis provides unique opportunities for translating basic science into practical application. In addition, the Division's associations with internationally prominent local institutions provide exciting opportunities: students in the biomedical sciences enrich their work with the clinical perspective of our outstanding medical school; students in plant, population, evolutionary and ecological sciences benefit from our close affiliation with the internationally renowned Missouri Botanical Garden, the Tyson Research Center and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
To help prepare graduates for careers in academia, government, industry or another field of their choice, educational opportunities are offered for skills development and career exploration. The DBBS offers career-planning curriculum, and students can pursue noncredit elective credentials to build transferable professional skills in four areas that apply to a wide variety of scientific careers: leadership, entrepreneurship, science communication, and teaching. Through the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Career Pathway Talks program, professionals from a variety of fields (e.g., biotech startups, patent law) provide presentations and Q&A sessions to students throughout the year. In addition — through partnerships with groups such as the Teaching Center, the Career Center, and student organizations such as ProSPER, InPrint, Sling Health, the BALSA Group, and the Young Scientist Program — students have additional opportunities to develop experiences relevant to their future career goals.
Additional Information
Further information, including full program descriptions, may be obtained in the following ways:
Mailing address:
Division of Biology & Biomedical Science
Washington University in St. Louis
660 S. Euclid Ave., CB 8226
St. Louis, MO 63110
Physical location:
Bernard Becker Medical Library, Fourth Floor
660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
Biochemistry uses the concepts and approaches of chemistry to understand the molecular basis of biological processes. Biochemical studies include enzymology, metabolism, DNA replication, cell signaling, and drug discovery. Insights from these studies may shed light on fundamental biological processes as well as mechanisms of disease, new drug treatments, and new diagnostics.
Biophysics brings together elements of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to describe and understand biological processes. It is a fusion of scientific cultures: the systems and processes of biochemistry and computational and molecular biology are joined with the principles and quantitative laws of physical chemistry. The goal is to develop a quantitative and predictive understanding of biology at a detailed molecular level.
Structural Biology seeks a mechanistic understanding of macromolecular function through molecular structure and dynamics. X-ray diffraction, cryo-electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance are among the tools used by structural biologists, whose insights address important questions throughout biology and medicine at Washington University.
Biostatistics and Data Science Research Track: The goal of the Biostatistics and Data Science track is to train independent and innovative researchers who will contribute to the development and application of cutting-edge statistical and data science methodologies in health science disciplines. The track provides a balance of theory, methods, and applications of biostatistics and data science that are central to modern interdisciplinary research. Under the supervision of advisors, PhD students participate in the design of clinical studies and are involved in the analysis, inference, and interpretation of these studies.
Biomedical Informatics Research Track: Through the Biomedical Informatics track, students will have training and research opportunities in the five subdisciplines of biomedical informatics as defined by the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), the largest professional scientific community in the field of biomedical informatics:
- Applied Clinical Informatics (ACI): applying innovative measurement and informatics approaches to inform and improve clinical practice
- Consumer Health Informatics (CHI): investigating consumers' needs and integrating consumers' preferences into health information systems
- Clinical Research Informatics (CRI): managing information related to clinical trials as well as secondary use of clinical data
- Translational Bioinformatics (TBI): developing storage, analytic, and interpretive methods to optimize the transformation of biomedical data
- Population Health Informatics (PopHI): integrating aspects of public health, clinical informatics, and health care delivery
The graduate program in Cancer Biology spans many disciplines, including cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and immunology, to name a few. It represents a unique set of training and educational activities that, taken collectively, expose the student to the full breadth of cancer biology while allowing immersion in a specific dissertation topic of the student’s choice. A common theme that unites these diverse endeavors is the desire to push the limits of our understanding of these processes to the highest possible molecular resolution. The program is designed to provide graduate and medical students with the education and training they need to make significant contributions to the field of cancer biology, both in the laboratory and in the clinic.
The graduate program in Computational and Systems Biology trains the next generation of scientists in technology-intensive, quantitative, systems-level approaches to molecular biology. As technological changes generate exponentially larger amounts of data, the scale of the biological questions under investigation grows ever larger. Students in the Computational and Systems Biology program learn to leverage advances in cutting-edge, high-throughput experimental and computational tools. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, the program’s curriculum accommodates students with a wide variety of backgrounds, including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, mathematics, engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, and statistics. The faculty in the program are highly interdisciplinary and specialize in the application of computer science, information technology, biophysics, biochemistry, genetics, applied mathematics, and statistics to problems in molecular biology.
A central theme of the Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology program is the desire to understand the genetic and molecular basis of specific developmental events and how defects in these events lead to developmental disorders and disease, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Students and faculty members in the program employ genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry as well as cutting-edge imaging, genomic, and systems-level approaches to dissect key outstanding questions in the fields of development, regeneration, and stem cell biology.
The graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology studies the origins and maintenance of biodiversity on both evolutionary and ecological timescales. The program combines field studies with the technical advances of molecular genetics, statistics, large-scale genomics, quantitative genetics, and mathematical theory to gain an understanding of evolutionary history and environmental biology. Research in the program is extremely diverse. Study organisms include model systems such as yeast, Drosophila, Arabidopsis, and Dictyostelium; human populations; agricultural species; and various natural plant and animal populations. Students’ research opportunities are enriched by the university’s partnerships with local institutions. Our Tyson Research Center allows field studies in local natural ecosystems. The Missouri Botanical Garden conducts systematic studies of plant diversity worldwide. The Saint Louis Zoo facilitates studies of the conservation biology of exotic large animals. Our faculty and students also conduct studies on a global scale at field sites in Africa, Asia, and South America.
The graduate program in Immunology offers an outstanding learning environment in one of the largest and most diverse Immunology programs in the nation and a faculty that is highly committed to graduate education. The Immunology faculty are leaders in their field, developing and employing cutting-edge technologies, including the generation of genetically modified mice by gene targeting, proteomics, intravital microscopy, and high-throughput pathogen discovery. Some of the key questions explored here are specific to the field, while others deal with the immunological versions of more basic phenomena in areas such as developmental biology, signal transduction, and the regulation of gene expression. Because immunology is interdisciplinary and rapidly developing, the program trains students to develop specialty expertise in immunology itself, as well as basic knowledge in a number of general “emphasis” areas with broader applicability.
The graduate program in Molecular Cell Biology involves a wide array of investigations into many fundamental cell processes and the mechanisms that control them. Among the subjects currently under investigation are gene expression; mechanisms of transcription and tissue-specific transcription regulation; molecular mechanisms involved in cell proliferation; the cell cytoskeleton, motility, and chemotaxis; pathways for the trafficking of molecules into and out of cells; receptor-ligand interactions involved in the regulation of cell growth and the cell phenotype; signal transduction molecules and pathways; lipid metabolism; the assembly of supramolecular structures, including the extracellular matrix; mechanisms of enzyme catalysis and inhibition; and mechanisms of pathogenesis. A common theme uniting these research programs is the desire to understand essential cellular functions at the highest possible level of molecular resolution.
The graduate program in Molecular Genetics and Genomics provides an ideal interdisciplinary training environment for students interested in exploring basic questions in biology. Students and faculty members in the program employ genetic and genomic approaches to investigate questions in genetics, cell biology, development, and physiology. Common themes include research aimed at identifying and characterizing the genes and the genetic and molecular networks that control fundamental genetic and cellular processes; deciphering how defects in gene function disrupt these processes and lead to disease; and devising genetic and molecular methods to identify and treat diseases.
Molecular Microbiology
Research in molecular microbiology employs genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to investigate fundamental biological problems including environmental sensing and cell-cell signaling, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, secretion, energy generation, and the bacterial cell cycle. State-of-the-art computational and comparative genomic approaches are used to study commensal, pathogenic, and environmental organisms in their natural environments.
Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Defense
Research in this area involves the molecular biology and biochemistry of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and viruses, with an emphasis on mechanisms of virulence and host–parasite interactions. By applying a wide range of emerging technologies in molecular genetics and cell biology, this work includes the discovery and analysis of virulence-associated genes, the study of innate and acquired immunity to pathogens, and the identification and exploration of novel targets for chemotherapy.
The graduate program in the Neurosciences has a large and interactive faculty drawn from numerous preclinical and clinical departments across two campuses. We study nearly every area of modern neuroscience, from the structural analysis of ion channels to the mapping of the functional connections of the human brain. Students enjoy a challenging and productive environment in which to define and pursue their professional goals. The superb resources and remarkable breadth of research possibilities at Washington University guarantee the student’s exposure to the most fundamental issues in the field and the tools to address those issues in depth in a diverse, collaborative, and interdisciplinary scientific community. Active areas of research include cellular, molecular, and developmental neurobiology; systems and integrative neuroscience; and clinical and computational neuroscience.
The graduate program in Plant and Microbial Biosciences provides training in the use of prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes, mosses, and vascular plants as experimental organisms to address fundamental and applied biological questions. Contemporary research on plant and microbial systems adds to our knowledge of basic biology, informs our understanding of the natural world, and leads to innovations in biomedicine, agriculture, and energy production. Our graduate students have unparalleled opportunities to pursue multidisciplinary training in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, development, molecular evolution, and physiology, capitalizing on current interest and investment in biological research and fueled by experimental resources found at Washington University and our partnership with the Donald Danforth Plant Sciences Center.
PhD Degrees
Each program has its own steering committee, which provides students with guidance, addresses their needs, and monitors their progress. The committee also helps each student customize the course of study to match their individual needs. Each of the 12 programs establishes its own degree requirements.
Across all of the programs, the course of study consists of six distinct parts:
Courses
This generally requires two to five semesters and usually consists of four to nine courses in areas fundamental to the student's program. Students are expected to maintain a B average in graduate courses.
Laboratory Rotations
Selecting a thesis advisor is the most important decision a student makes in graduate school. To help each student make an informed, thoughtful choice, the Division builds in flexibility to explore options. Students usually participate in three lab rotations during their first year. Additional rotations can be arranged, and rotation lengths are flexible. Students usually begin their thesis research by the end of their first year.
Qualifying Examination
After required courses are completed, each student takes a preliminary or qualifying examination to assess their mastery of the field and their ability to integrate information across fields. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exam, the student concentrates on thesis research.
Mentored Teaching Experience
Students must complete at least one semester of a Mentored Teaching Experience (MTE). Prior to beginning their MTE, DBBS students will be required to complete the Graduate Student Teaching Orientation and a minimum of three 90-minute teaching workshops, each covering a different topic, offered by the Teaching Center. Students must also enroll in LGS 600 prior to their MTE. Individualized instruction and mentoring will be provided by the course director of the class to which the student has been assigned. The course director will provide feedback throughout the semester and will complete an evaluation of the student upon the completion of the MTE.
Thesis Research
Thesis research begins once the student has chosen a laboratory in which to work. With their mentor — the laboratory's principal investigator — the student devises a thesis project and chooses an advisory committee. Typically between the end of their second year and the middle of their third year, students present their thesis proposals to the thesis committee. Upon successful approval of the thesis proposal, the student officially becomes a doctoral candidate. For the rest of the student's program of study, the thesis committee monitors progress and meets at least once a year to provide analysis and advice. It also serves as the thesis defense committee when the thesis is ready for presentation. Most students complete and defend their dissertations by the end of their sixth year.
Scientific Scholarship
Keeping abreast of scientific developments is critical for faculty and students alike. The Division offers many ways to stay current. More than 15 weekly biology seminars provide excellent opportunities to meet outstanding scientists from outside Washington University. Several annual symposia bring internationally recognized speakers to campus. Journal clubs meet weekly for students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty to present and discuss current scientific literature. A number of Interdisciplinary Research Pathways allow students to enhance their PhD program. Program retreats allow for informal interaction among students and faculty. The Division also provides funds for each student for professional development.
The Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences has more than 600 students with access to nearly 650 faculty mentors with whom they may perform their dissertation work. This unparalleled flexibility results from the joint governance of DBBS by the Washington University School of Medicine and the School of Arts & Sciences — a 50-year-old model that fosters the most impactful science executed at the boundaries of fields, programs, disciplines, schools and departments. This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that transcends traditional boundaries is a hallmark of DBBS, and our training programs routinely rank among the top PhD programs nationally and internationally.
In this interdisciplinary environment, graduate students are governed by policies established by the university, the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, the School of Medicine and DBBS. The policies identified here and elsewhere in this Bulletin are not to be considered a complete list. However, every attempt has been made to identify the location of those policies that affect most or all students in DBBS.
In this Bulletin, the University Policies page covers many of the policies that apply to both graduate and undergraduate students, specifically in the areas of nondiscrimination, student health, student conduct, academic integrity, intent to graduate, and academic records and transcripts. In addition, it refers to the university's Compliance and Policies page. Graduate students should follow that page's links to the Information Technology, Computers and Internet Policies and to the Intellectual Property Policies and the Research Policies; most of the former and many of the latter will apply to all graduate students.
All DBBS students must follow the University PhD Policies & Requirements as set forth by the Provost's Office.
Degrees in DBBS are conferred by the School of Arts & Sciences; hence, students must follow the policies and procedures as set forth by the school. The website of the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, has a Policies & Procedures page that includes links to the full text of several of its policies, including those related to the following:
- Academic and Professional Integrity for Graduate Students
- Access to Student Academic Records
- Alcohol Service (at events sponsored by graduate students and organizations)
- Bias-Related University Policies
- Change of Student Status
- Confidentiality
- Consensual Faculty-Student Relationships
- Courses & Grades
- Dissenting Votes (at a dissertation defense)
- Enrollment & Registration
- Interdisciplinary Opportunities
- International Travel
- Leaves (Leave of Absence, Medical Leave of Absence, Involuntary Leave, New Child Leave)
- Part-Time Employment
- Probation & Dismissal for Academic Reasons
- Reinstatement
- Residency Requirement
- Student Grievance Procedures
- Time Off
- Transfer of Credit
- Tuition and Fees
- Withdrawal
Students should abide by the Professionalism & Conduct Policies and the Student Mistreatment Reporting and Monitoring Policy as set forth by the School of Medicine. The Student Mistreatment Reporting policy includes information on Supporting a Fair Environment (SAFE).
In addition, Student Health Services provides efficient, accessible, high-quality medical care to DBBS students.