博士课程强调生物学研究的经验和理论方法。要求学生将生物学的基本技能与重点领域的重点研究相结合。该计划旨在提供适合于学术研究和教学，政府和公共机构以及行业的高级职位的研究经验和培训。UMSL生物学系的三个任务是：教导学生生物学的基本原理，并通过发展批判性思考的能力来帮助他们理解生物学原理之间的关系。为了进行前沿研究，从单个分子的水平到生物体与环境之间的全球相互作用的水平。通过学术出版物，我们的教学以及更广泛地通过与地方和国家社区的互动来传播我们的研究结果。
The doctoral program emphasizes empirical and theoretical approaches to biological research. Students are required to integrate basic skills in biology with focal studies in an emphasis area. The program is designed to provide research experience and training appropriate for advanced positions in academic research and teaching, government and public agencies, and industry.<br>Students are not admitted to the Ph.D. program without enthusiastic support from a potential advisor. We urge students interested in the Ph.D. program and the Thesis Master's option to contact faculty in their field of interest directly, you can find a list of research active labs here. Applications to graduate programs are evaluated by the Graduate Committee, which makes recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School for admission. Applicants may be invited for interviews, at the department's expense when at all possible, during February and early March. Students are also encouraged to arrange their own visits to the department at other times.