PhD Gateway Programs First-Year Experience
Various disciplines within the School of Medicine educate and train their doctoral students by first admitting students to one of three interdisciplinary programs (IDP) intended to provide the first year curriculum necessary prior to a student choosing their faculty advisor and transferring to a new 'home' department during their second year where they remain for their subsequent years of doctoral studies and research.
Among the first-year requirements, students supervised by a faculty advisor take coursework and identify labs for rotation, with the intention of selecting a potential thesis advisor and must pass a preliminary qualifying examination.
The goal of the CMB program is to launch the careers of the next generation of scientists who will tackle some of the most important questions facing humankind.
View CMB Program
INP students benefit from an integrated exposure to the Neurosciences at UCI initially, followed by an informed entry into one of several departmental programs.
View INP Program
Students studying systems biology receive basic training in principles of biology, mathematics, engineering and computer science to study the living world as built on interacting sets of complex systems crafted by natural selection to carry out defined tasks.
View MCSB ProgramHow to Apply
Each of the interdisciplinary programs independently manage student outreach and administratively coordinate the application, committee review and admission process within their respective academic disciplines. Prospective applicants must apply directly to one of the IDPs who will then manage their admissions process directly. Similarly, prospective students should contact the particular IDP for program information or other inquiries. The IDP’s provide the first-year curriculum for doctoral students who, upon completion, will transfer into a specialized PhD program of their choice within the School of Medicine or School of Biological Sciences.
Additional application information is found on the program websites. Some applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver. Holistic admission review criteria are used by the admission committee. GRE is not required. MS degree is not required.
