How do I apply to the Computational Biology PhD Program?
Apply through the UVA BIMS application portal. All PhD programs in the UVA School of Medicine operate through the Biomedical Sciences (BIMS) umbrella. Students apply through the umbrella BIMS admissions. Then, after admittance, students affiliate with one of the BIMS degree-granting programs. The Computational Biology PhD program is one of these options.
What are the admissions criteria for the Computational Biology PhD Program?
The BIMS program has some admissions criteria that are listed on the BIMS webpage for prospective students. Most of the criteria for the Computational Biology program are covered by the BIMS prerequisites, but the CompBio PhD program has a few additional criteria. You must have taken: mathematics through Linear Algebra, at least one course in Statistics, at least one course in Computer Science, and at least one course in Molecular Biology. Competitive students lacking one or more of these requirements will be expected to satisfy these prerequisites prior to or during their first year or to secure approval from the Director of Graduate Studies based on similar coursework or experience.
What is the financial support available for PhD students?
All PhD students in the program are funded 100%, including tuition, stipend, and research expenses. The stipend amount changes each year.
How can I make my application competitive? What are you looking for in applicants?
Great question! We have a dedicated page to answer this: Preparation.
When should I apply to the PhD Program?
The UVA BIMS umbrella application operates on an annual cycle. The application portal opens around September 1 and is due around December 1 for admission the following year. Off-cycle admissions are not possible.
How do I affiliate with the Computational Biology PhD Program?
Once you are admitted to the BIMS program, your first year will be filled with research rotations and core coursework. After rotations are finished, you'll select a mentor, and together you'll choose among the degree-granting programs. If you choose Computational Biology and have satisfied the program's prerequisites, you'll then become part of the COBI PhD program around February of your first year.
I'm an existing BIMS student who has already affiliated with another PhD program. How can I transfer into the PhD Program in Computational Biology?
If you're interested in transferring, the process for transferring is this (in order):
- Secure permission from your mentor to transfer. Importantly, your mentor must be a member of the Computational Biology PhD program faculty (see list of approved faculty on the program website).
- Schedule a meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), Dr. Nathan Sheffield, who will assess whether you have satisfied the admissions criteria for the Computational Biology PhD program (see admissions requirements above). In addition to the criteria for BIMS, these include at least one class in each of statistics, computer programming, linear algebra, and single-variable calculus. In addition, he will discuss the coursework that must be completed in order to satisfy the degree requirements for the Computational Biology PhD.
- Secure permission from the DGS of your current program. You will need to be in good standing in your current program to transfer.
- Complete a new BIMS declaration form indicating Computational Biology as your degree program. This must be signed by you, your mentor, the chair of the department in which they hold their primary appointment, and the DGS of the Computational Biology program. If you have a co-mentor, they will also need to sign and the nature of the co-mentoring arrangements be made clear.
What coursework is part of the PhD in Computational Biology?
See the Courses page for a description of the required and elective coursework completed by Computational Biology PhD students.
In what labs can I complete my dissertation research as part of the program?
Computational Biology PhD students must choose a mentor on the approved list of mentors for the program. That said, if you join UVA and end up rotating with a faculty member who is not on the list, it's likely they will be interested in joining the program.
What are the requirements to qualify for a PhD in Computational Biology?
To earn the degree, you must:
- Complete the coursework specified under the Courses tab.
- Pass a Qualifying Exam (in the form of an oral and written grant proposal).
- Perform substantive novel research, as evidenced through peer-reviewed publication.
- Write and defend a PhD dissertation.
How long does it take to earn a PhD degree in Computational Biology at UVA?
Since our program was approved in 2024, we do not have any graduates, so we cannot give a historical average. However, we expect students to finish the program within 4-5 years in the typical case.
Is there a teaching assistant (TA) requirement?
There is no TA requirement, but you are encouraged to pursue teaching opportunities if you wish to gain teaching experience. For example, you may be interested in TAing computational biology graduate courses such as Introduction to Computational Biology or Computational Genomics after you've completed them.
Are internships allowed during the PhD program?
Yes, internships are encouraged! We are actively developing a networking program to help connect students with internship opportunities in industry and research institutions.
How is funding structured and how many years are guaranteed?
The PhD program is fully funded throughout your studies. During the rotation phase in your first year, funding is provided by the school. After you join a lab, funding transitions to your lab and department. Students who maintain good progress receive continuous support for the duration of their degree, typically 4-5 years.
How does the coursework differ for students entering with a master's degree?
Our coursework requirements are streamlined—approximately 90% is completed within the first year. Students entering with a master's degree follow the same curriculum as those entering directly from undergraduate programs. The only variation occurs if a student needs to fulfill prerequisite requirements in areas like linear algebra, statistics, computer science, or molecular biology.