Biology

Fall Term (September)

Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Molecular Biology*

*The MEng Degree Program in Computer Science and Molecular Biology is available to MIT undergraduates only.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (WHOI)

• Biochemistry
• Bioengineering
• Bioinformatics/Computational Biology
• Biological Oceanography (WHOI)
• Cancer Biology
• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Ecology and Evolution (WHOI)
• Genetics
• Human Genetics
• Immunology
• Marine Biology (WHOI)
• Marine Toxicology (WHOI)
• Microbiology
• Microbiology (WHOI)
• Molecular Ecology (WHOI)
• Molecular Medicine and Human Diseases
• Neurobiology
• Physiology
• Plant Molecular Biology
• Structural Biology and Biophysics

• Online application
• Statement of objectives
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• English proficiency exam scores

For all applicants:

The Department of Biology does not accept GRE scores and will not consider GRE scores during the evaluation of your application. If you have shared your scores in other applications, these scores will not be visible to the review committee.

For international applicants:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Minimum score required: 7
• Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Graduate
• Current scores only; must be less than 2 years old

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Minimum score required: 100 (iBT) or 5 (iBT26)
• Institute code: 3514
• Current scores only; must be less than 2 years old

Cambridge English Qualification (C1 Proficiency or C2 Advanced)

• Minimum score required: 190
• Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Graduate

Department ELP Waiver Policy

The Department of Biology considers English Language Proficiency test requirement waivers by request on a case by case basis. Instructions for requesting a waiver can be found on the Test Score Instructions page of the Biology application.

The last day to request a waiver for the ELP test requirement is November 18, 2026.

Review the Graduate Admissions test scores policy here

Test Score Verification

All test scores shared with MIT must be verified by the testing agency in order to be reviewed. If you do not see your score verification status change upon submission, you may request assistance with test score verification in your application status portal. While valid scores must be submitted by the application deadline, all test scores must be verified by April 15, 2027.

All doctoral graduate students receive:

• Full-tuition coverage
• Stipend to cover living expenses
• Individual health insurance (via the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan)

We encourage applicants and current students to apply for independent funding from outside organizations. Please see the Biology website for a list of outside fellowships for U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and international students.

Applicants should not send published papers, theses, writing samples or other supplemental material with their application.