Comparative Biology Ph.D. Program 

The Richard Gilder Graduate School has eliminated the GRE test requirement for Comparative Biology Ph.D. program admissions and for partner institution Graduate Fellowships. We will not accept GRE test scores or consider them in our evaluation process.

Applicants for partner institution Graduate Fellowships: be aware that each partner institution will have its own testing requirements and may or may not require GRE scores for their applications. Be sure to check and comply with their admissions requirements in your application(s) to the partner universities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science or equivalent degree, from an accredited institution
  • Applications will be accepted from students who have completed some graduate work or an advanced degree at another institution. All applicants, however, will be required to complete the core courses of the RGGS program, regardless of their prior background.
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate institutions attended
• Three letters of support from instructors, research advisors, or other mentors
• Statement of Academic Purpose (two essays)" description of research interests/experience
• Interview: final candidates will be interviewed
• Faculty sponsor: Through student contact or assigned by the Museum's Richard Gilder Graduate School
• Application fee of $50: Required with the Comparative Biology Ph.D. program application; non-refundable
• Proficiency in English:
  • TOEFL or IELTS (Academic Exam) scores are required for non-native English speakers unless they have earned a graduate or undergraduate degree in a program using English as its official language of instruction. TOEFL or IELTS tests must have been taken within the past 2 years. 
  • TOEFL scores generally must total 600 or higher, typically with 60 or greater on each subsection (PBT), or total 100 or higher, typically with 25 or greater on each subsection (iBT). Get more information on TOEFL.
  • IELTS scores must be at least 7.0 in total. Get more information on IELTS.

The application for admission, together with supporting materials must be uploaded online through the admissions portal. 

Please note that all applications and supporting materials become the property of the Richard Gilder Graduate School.

Since the applicant is responsible for sending official transcripts to the RGGS in sealed envelopes and securing letters of recommendation, it is important that the applicant requests supporting documents as early as possible, to ensure that all supporting materials are secured well in advance of the application deadline.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a member of the faculty prior to application.

Final candidates will be invited to the Richard Gilder Graduate School for interviews, whenever possible. The interview process represents the graduate school’s commitment to finding students that will most benefit from and contribute to the Ph.D. Comparative Biology program. It also enables the Richard Gilder Graduate School faculty to make the very best matches between students and faculty advisors—part of the Richard Gilder Graduate School’s deep commitment to personal advising, mentorship, and guidance of students.

Application Fee

There is a non-refundable application fee of $50 if you are applying to the Richard Gilder Graduate School Comparative Biology Ph.D. program. You must pay this fee before your application will be processed. Specific directions will be provided when you reach the end of the application and are ready to submit.

Note: Our application fee should not discourage any student from applying. If you feel the application fee will represent a substantial financial burden, please request a waiver by email to: [email protected] as soon as possible. If you request a waiver, you will not be able to submit your application online until after it is approved.

View the Notice of Non-Discrimination from the American Museum of Natural History.

View the Richard Gilder Graduate School's Current Course Catalog, and courses offered by Columbia University and City University of New York (CUNY).

• The normal course of study for the Ph.D. degree is four years
• Students earn a minimum of 62 credits through a combination of coursework, teaching experiences, and individual dissertation research

To request archived course catalogs, email [email protected].

First-Year Students

Museum Seminar Series: Throughout the academic year, the Ph.D. program presents the weekly Museum Seminar Series, at which presentations on a variety of scientific topics will be given by leading scientists, educators and Museum curators. During the first year, students will be required to attend each program in the Museum Seminar Series and will meet prior to each program for a discussion of the pertinent literature, which they will be expected to have read prior to the lecture, for a total of two hours each week. First-year students will earn one credit per semester, for a total of two credits. After the first year, students’ participation is not required for credit but will be strongly encouraged.

Second-Year Students

Teaching Experiences: The experience of teaching is an integral part of graduate training, especially in preparation for a career including academic service and teaching. After the first year, each student must complete mentored teaching experiences in two courses or other educational programs.

A particular strength of the Richard Gilder Graduate School Ph.D. program is the opportunity for a student to participate in the Museum's pre-college, teacher training, life-long learning, and public outreach programs, with the goal of enhancing the public understanding of science. 

Annual Symposium: Second-year students organize, and are required to attend and present at, a poster or oral presentation at a day-long Student Symposium, to be held each Fall Term. This informal, retreat-like gathering, to which the faculty and the entire American Museum of Natural History student community are invited, is intended to give students open and informal access to faculty and other students. This structure fosters sharing of information about labs and research programs and activities and strengthens the intellectual and social ties across the Richard Gilder Graduate School community.

Qualifying Examination: In the fall of the second year, students will be required to take a comprehensive qualifying examination. The goal of this exam is to assess the student’s depth of knowledge and expertise both in general and specific knowledge to his or her research interests. Satisfactory completion of the qualifying exam, in combination with fulfillment of the required coursework, will establish a student’s doctoral candidacy in the second year.

Dissertation Proposal: By February of the second year, students are expected to present a proposal of their dissertation research to their Dissertation Committee. This proposal includes an eight-page written proposal, an oral presentation of its contents, and an elaboration of preliminary research results documenting work during the first two years in the program. Students will be questioned and examined by the Dissertation Committee on the merit and feasibility of the proposed study, as well as on their preparedness to achieve their outlined goals.

Third and Fourth-Year Students

Thesis Research: During the development of the dissertation in the third and fourth years, students will be required to have regular consultations with their dissertation advisors on the progress of the project to ensure close monitoring of the research and development of the thesis.

Dissertation: Reflecting and describing the student’s individual research—approach, methods, and conclusions—the dissertation is the bedrock and ultimate focus of a student’s graduate training. The dissertation represents the credentialed attainment of expertise in the chosen area of research. It also is expected to be an original scientific contribution, worthy of publication. On deposit of their dissertations, students are expected to make an oral presentation of their research and answer questions from the audience and members of the Dissertation Committee.

Publication: The Richard Gilder Graduate School strongly encourages students to publish during their graduate training. Although not required, a major element of graduate training can therefore be seen to include chapters of the dissertation as published papers.

The grants program offers modest short-term awards to advanced students, postdoctoral trainees, and scientific researchers.

Current students can access a list of additional doctoral and post-doctoral funding opportunities on the Museum's Intranet.

• SUNY Student Conduct Institute
• Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning
• CUNY Teaching and Learning Center

• Columbia University Course Catalog
• Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning
• City University of NY (CUNY) Teaching and Learning Center
• City University of New York (CUNY) Degrees and Programs

The David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library and Learning Center is the Museum’s principal repository for published scientific literature and archives. 

Director of Administration Rebecca Johnson is the point of contact for international RGGS students or scholars being sponsored for visas by the American Museum of Natural History. Please contact Rebecca Johnson for help with the visa application process, protocols and regulations for visa-holders at RGGS, and resources and guidance.