Admissions
Prospective graduate students can apply for admission into either the Master's or PhD degree track.
Course Preparation and Requirements
Students admitted to the Marine Biology graduate program are expected to have strong undergraduate or MS training in biological oceanography, environmental science, marine science, marine biology, zoology, microbiology, botany, biology or other life sciences. In addition, a strong undergraduate background in math, chemistry and physics is required. Minimum course requirements for admission include:
2 semesters of Calculus
2 semesters of Physics (with lab)
2 semesters of General Chemistry
1 semester of Organic Chemistry
1 semester of Biochemistry or Molecular Biology
18 credit hours of courses in Biology
Students are strongly encouraged to meet these minimum course requirements before applying to the program, or to complete any deficiencies after acceptance (and before enrollment in the first Fall semester). The time required to take course deficiencies after enrollment will hinder the student's graduate progress in the program. Thus, students with limited course deficiencies may be admitted to the program, but are expected to complete all deficiencies without graduate credit in their first year.
Students must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
The GRE general exam is also required.
How to Apply
Students must apply for admission to the Graduate School at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus before December 31 for enrollment in the following August. The GRE general exam scores and transcripts are submitted with that application. In addition, you must submit the following information directly to the Marine Biology admissions office via email.
Send the following electronic forms to mbgpapps@hawaii.edu
1. The Marine Biology graduate program Supplemental Information form
2. The Statement of Objectives form. Alternatively, you may submit a separate letter of any length in pdf format.
3. Three letters of recommendation sent by the writer (can be included with application for MB Graduate Assistantship below)
4. Application for Marine Biology Graduate Assistantship form
The GRE subject test in biology is not required at this time. However, students are strongly encouraged to take that exam and submit those test scores with their application to the MBGP office.
Sponsorship of your application
All students who are admitted to the program must have a Marine Biology faculty member who will sponsor their application. Thus it is in the applicant's best interest to contact potential sponsors about their research programs well before the application deadline, discuss your research interests and goals, and ask if they can provide research space and mentoring during your enrollment. Identification of a sponsor is not required before you apply as all applications will be available for MB faculty to review before final selections are made. However, contacting potential sponsors before hand is strongly suggested. See the list of participating faculty.
Financial Support
Students in the program are usually supported by Graduate Assistantships on grants of their graduate sponsor, Fellowships from external sources, or Teaching Assistantships. Students may apply for Teaching Assistantships directly from the Marine Biology Graduate Program and the home department of their sponsor (check with your potential sponsor for details).
Deadline
The admission process for Fall 2013 will remain open until 31 December 2012. Applications to Graduate Division and supplemental information to the Marine Biology Graduate Program office must be submitted by that date.
Tranfer Applicants (Current UH Students)
Please apply here.
Direct specific questions to mbiograd@hawaii.edu .