生物科学系提供的学位课程可导致理学硕士和哲学博士。该部门的传统优势领域包括基础和应用微生物学，细胞和分子生物学，比较和环境生理学，分类学，生态学和进化。研究生院的研究重点在于生物功能的机制，包括细胞特性和结构成分，生物和其他复杂生物系统的结构和功能的变异以及生物规模和过程的整合。研究生培训强调为学术和非学术职位的教学和研究职业做准备。哲学博士学位需要在居住两个学期，进行口语和笔试综合考试，并对论文进行答辩。课程要求根据学生的需求而变化。
The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires two semesters in residence, oral and written comprehensive exams, and a defense of the dissertation. Course requirements vary according to the needs of the student.The Department of Biological Sciences offers degree programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Traditional areas of strength in the department include basic and applied microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, comparative and environmental physiology, taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Research by the Graduate Faculty focuses on mechanisms of organism function in terms of cell properties and structural components, variation in the structure and function of organisms and other complex biological systems, and the integration of biological scales and processes. Graduate training emphasizes preparation for careers in teaching and research in both academic and nonacademic positions.