Prospective applicants are highly encouraged to find a faculty member who shares their research interests and is willing to sponsor the student. Such sponsorship includes willingness to serve as the student's major advisor and provide financial support for the student. Student's chances of successful admission are greatly increased with a faculty sponsor. Applicants should contact faculty members well before the December 15 or August 1 / September 1 application deadlines to discuss sponsorship. It is recommended that students identify and contact faculty whose interests are similar as early as possible.
Applicants must have a record of rigorous university-level coursework in science or engineering, including undergraduate studies in biology, physics, chemistry, geology, mathematics, microbiology, zoology, or related fields.
All applicants must have completed college-level mathematics and calculus courses that include linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, and vector calculus. Applicants must also have completed at least one year each of college-level physics and chemistry.

A GPA of 3.0 or better in the last four semesters or approximately 60 semester credits (or the equivalent in quarter credits) of work as an undergraduate,
A master's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or better, or A GPA of 3.0 or better in at least 12 credit hours of relevant upper division and/or graduate-level post-baccalaureate work.

IELTS - 6.0, TOEFL (iBT) - 61, TOEFL PBT-500, Duolingo English Test - 95