Northern Arizona University

What you'll study

The PhD programme emphasises original research supported by advanced coursework and professional development. Course work typically covers core areas such as evolutionary biology, ecology, molecular genetics, physiology, bioinformatics and statistics, alongside specialised seminars that reflect faculty expertise. Students normally complete a combination of required graduate-level courses and electives to build depth in a chosen concentration.

Programme structure commonly includes intensive coursework in the first year, development of a dissertation research plan, a qualifying or comprehensive examination, and several years of full-time research culminating in a written dissertation and public defence. Practical training frequently involves field work in northern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau, laboratory-based experiments, and computational analysis. Students also gain experience in grant writing, teaching, and science communication.

• Typical modules and subjects: graduate ecology, evolutionary theory, molecular and cellular biology, genomics and bioinformatics, ecological statistics and quantitative methods, organismal physiology, advanced microscopy and imaging techniques.
• Research components: independent dissertation research under the supervision of a faculty advisor, participation in research groups, presentation at seminars and conferences, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Professional development: opportunities for teaching assistantships, mentoring undergraduates, grant proposal preparation, and workshops in ethics and data management.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant undergraduate degree and, in many cases, a master’s degree in biology or a closely related discipline. Strong applicants with a bachelor’s degree and substantial research experience may also be considered. Academic transcripts should demonstrate a solid foundation in core biological sciences and quantitative coursework.

Required application materials typically include a statement of research interests, a curriculum vitae, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation from academic or research supervisors. Some programmes do not require the GRE, but applicants should check current departmental guidance. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests unless exempted by institutional policy.

Successful candidates usually show evidence of prior research (publications, theses, lab experience), clear alignment between their research interests and faculty expertise, and the potential to complete a sustained independent research project.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Biology pursue careers across academia, government, non-profit conservation, and industry. Typical roles include university faculty and postdoctoral researchers, research scientists in federal or state agencies (environmental monitoring, wildlife management, public health), and positions in biotechnology, environmental consulting, and natural resource management.

Other career paths include science communication and policy, museum and herbarium curation, and leadership roles in environmental NGOs. The programme’s combination of field, laboratory and quantitative training also prepares graduates for data-driven roles in bioinformatics and ecological modelling within private and public sectors.

Why study at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers distinctive strengths for biological research tied to its location and institutional resources. The Flagstaff campus provides ready access to a wide range of ecosystems—montane forests, alpine environments, riparian zones and the Colorado Plateau—that support field-based projects in ecology, conservation and organismal biology. Faculty research spans molecular to landscape scales, enabling interdisciplinary collaborations.

Students benefit from small cohort sizes and close mentoring by faculty, hands-on use of modern laboratory and imaging facilities, and access to regional research stations and long-term ecological datasets. Funding support is commonly available through graduate assistantships, research grants and fellowships, and students gain pedagogical experience through teaching opportunities. The department emphasises professional development and positions graduates to be competitive for academic and applied research careers.