The Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) is the admissions gateway and first-year academic home for students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees in any of the following 12 PhD programs at Yale: Cell Biology; Cellular and Molecular Physiology; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics; Experimental Pathology; Genetics; Immunobiology; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program; Microbiology; Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Pharmacology; and Program in Translational Biomedicine. Applicants interested in these programs should select BBS on the application and choose the BBS Track which best matches their research interests.
BBS Administrative Assistant
GRE is not accepted.
TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English. BBS requires a score of at least 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based exam, and 100 on the internet-based exam. Please take the test no later than November and no earlier than 24 months prior to submitting your application. Use institution code 3987 when reporting your scores; you may enter any department code.
You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.
Please visit the BBS Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to questions about the application process. For general questions, please email bbs@yale.edu.
Biochemistry, Quantitative Biology, Biophysics and Structural Biology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants are expected to have a firm foundation in the sciences. Typical BQBS students will have taken courses in biochemistry; general, organic and physical chemistry; physics; and calculus.
Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants are expected
Immunology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants are expected to have a firm foundation in the biological and physical sciences. It is preferred that students have taken courses in biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physics, and mathematics. Actual course requirements, however, are not fixed, and students with outstanding records in any area of the biological sciences may qualify for admission. There are no specific grade requirements for prior course work, but a strong performance in basic science courses is of great importance for admission.
Microbiology
The Microbiology Track has the same requirements as the general BBS requirements.
Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development
The MCGD Track has the same requirements as the general BBS entrance requirements.
Neuroscience
The Neuroscience Track has the same admissions requirements as the general BBS requirements.
Plant Molecular Biology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants to the Plant Molecular Biology Track must
We encourage applications from international candidates as well as domestic candidates. We strongly encourage all applicants to contact a primary faculty member of the Plant Molecular Biology Track prior to applying. When applying please list the primary faculty that you have contacted in the appropriate section of the application.
Translational Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
In addition to meeting general BBS requirements, applicants should have a strong background in the biological, chemical, and/or physical sciences. For example, an undergraduate major/degree in biology, biochemistry, physiology, genetics, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or computer science could be appropriate. Courses in biology, biochemistry, organic and physical chemistry, and mathematics through elementary calculus, are strongly recommended.