Fall 2010 Application
Apply Online
Application Deadline: Friday, December 4, 2009

The BMS program is diverse in its faculty, the nature of their scientific interests and the experimental approaches they apply in their research. In light of this diversity, we expect and encourage applications from students with varied undergraduate training and research experiences. Interest in experimental biology and the themes represented in the program are obvious overarching requirements for admission. Successful applicants are also typically distinguished by their strong academic records (grade point averages of 3.2 or higher) and by prior exposure to scientific research. Such research experience might include undergraduate thesis projects, laboratory internships, technician positions or summer research programs in university or corporate laboratories (e.g., the UCSF Summer Research Training Program). An account of such exposure is one of the key components of a successful application to the program.

The minimum requirement for application to the BMS program is a baccalaureate degree; a master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission. There are no specific course requirements for admission, but courses in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, computation, or related fields represent typical and highly appropriate preparation.

To apply to the program, complete the online application and arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be submitted on your behalf. Scores from the GRE general test (and TOEFL for foreign applicants) and an official transcript from all institutes of higher learning attended are also required. The GRE subject test is not required, but is highly encouraged.

You may apply to only one UCSF graduate program in an academic year. It is therefore important to consider which program suits your interests and apply to only that program. Listed below are other graduate programs at UCSF with whom we share faculty, along with a link to their respective websites. Each graduate program maintains its own admissions procedure.
Neuroscience Program
Chemistry & Chemical Biology Program (CCB)
Biophysics Program
Pharmaceutical Sciences & Pharmacogenomics (PSPG)
Biological & Medical Informatics (BMI)
Tetrad Graduate Program
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
UCSF/UCB Joint Graduate Group in Bioengineering

There is sometimes confusion between BMS and other UCSF programs due to overlapping research areas. However, BMS is a distinct program that maintains a separate curriculum and separate admission process. If you are unsure which program may be right for you, we encourage you to review the curriculum pages on each program's respective website (linked above) to help you in your decision-making.

Application Materials
Applications are accepted for admission in the fall quarter only.

Fall 2010 Application
Apply Online
Application Deadline: Friday, December 4, 2009

Application fee: There is a $70 application fee ($90 for international applicants). Instructions for submitting the fee are included in the online application, which will be available in September.

Deadlines
Applications are accepted for admission in the fall quarter only. For fall 2010 admission, all application materials must be received by the application deadline of Friday, December 4, 2009.

For fall 2010 admission, we recommend that the required GRE general test should be taken no later than October 2009.

The GRE subject test is not required, but strongly encouraged. If you elect to take the subject test, please plan to take it by October 2009 to ensure timely delivery of your scores.

GRE & TOEFL Exams
All students who apply must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test. A subject test is not required, but we strongly encourage it. For applicants who choose to take the subject test, the choice of subject is up to you, but most applicants typically choose Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry or Physics. The subject test is offered worldwide only a few times during the year, so planning to take it as early as possible is strongly recommended. For fall 2010 admission, we recommend that both the GRE General and Subject tests should be taken no later than October 2009.

GRE Codes: For purposes of requesting that your scores be sent to us, the institutional code for UCSF is R4840, department code 0299. Your GRE scores will be matched to your application to ensure delivery to the correct program.

Foreign applicants are also required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).


Funding
All students admitted to the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program are guaranteed a stipend to cover living expenses (for 2009-10 the yearly stipend is $27,000), plus payment of tuition and fees. To make the available funds go as far as possible, all students who are admitted will be considered for fellowships administered by the Graduate Division on this campus, a major source of support for incoming students. In addition, students are encouraged to apply for support from other sources, such as the National Science Foundation and Ford Foundation predoctoral fellowships. Information on application to these fellowships can be found below.If outside fellowship support is not obtained, or if partial awards are made, other money available to the program will be used to supplement the awards up to the guaranteed level of support.

The Financial Aid Office provides information and applications for other forms of financial support such as loans and work-study programs. Address inquiries to Financial Aid Office, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94l43-0246, or call (415) 476-4181.

Fellowship Information
Students are strongly encouraged to apply for graduate fellowships from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other sources. Fellowship awards benefit both the program and the students, and often include additional funds for the student's computer expenses, journal subscriptions, and travel to scientific meetings. Eligibility for graduate fellowships depends on a student's background and research interests. Information about the NSF fellowship is provided below:

NSF
The application will become available in August. Initial application is due in early November. Application is done online. You may find more information at:
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Some other fellowships for entering graduate students include:
-National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG)
-Porter Physiology Development Fellowship Program for underrepresented ethnic minority students
-Dept. of Homeland Security Scholarship and Fellowship Program