Graduate Admissions

Admission Criteria

The minimum entrance criteria for graduate studies in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry are as follows:

Completion of an undergraduate degree with a major in Biology, Biochemistry, or an equivalent discipline.
A grade point average ≥ 3.0/4.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework completed.
A combined score ≥ 305 on the Verbal and Quantitative portions of the GRE revised General Test (or a combined score ≥ 1100 on the Verbal and Quantitative portions of a GRE General Test taken before August 2011).
An informative, coherent and well-written statement of purpose.
Three strong letters of recommendation.
A TOEFL score ≥ 79 or a IELTS score ≥ 6.5 (International Applicants only, see this page for exceptions).

Complete applications will consist of the following:

A completed ApplyTexas application form.
Official transcripts.
Official GRE scores (UH code: 6870 or U Houston Main Campus).
A statement of purpose. An informative statement of purpose is one that describes the area of Biology or Biochemistry in which you are interested, your motivation for obtaining a M.S. or Ph.D. degree and your future career goals.
Curriculum Vitae.
Three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters should be on institutional letterhead and be from faculty at academic institutions or supervisors at science-related businesses or institutions.

International Applicants only:

Official TOEFL scores (UH code: 6870 or U Houston Main Campus)
An application fee of $75.00 (US) in the form of check or money order made payable to University of Houston or on-line credit card payment. The fee is not required until an applicant has been admitted to our program.
You do not have to provide a Letter of Financial Backing.

For accelerated review of your application:

Please send good quality photocopies or email electronic scans of your:

Official GRE and TOEFL scores (in addition to having official copies sent to the university)
Transcripts (in addition to official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution)

Please send all application materials to:

Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Biology and Biochemistry
University of Houston
369 Science and Research Bldg 2
Houston, Texas 77204-5001

Tel: (713) 743-2633
FAX: (713) 743-2636