Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Sciences

Scripps Research's doctoral program is an interdisciplinary graduate program that provides rigorous training in chemistry, chemical biology, biology, neurosciences, immunology, cell biology, chemical physiology, and biophysics. When students enroll in the program, they do not join a department, but rather pursue their graduate studies with access to the entire curriculum and faculty affiliated with the school regardless of the faculty member’s department. This approach allows students to be broadly trained and emphasizes the creation of basic knowledge in the biosciences.

MISSION

The central mission of Scripps Research's graduate program is to train the next generation of scientists at the interface of biological and chemical sciences for productive careers in the global economy.

TWO LOCATIONS, ONE PROGRAM

Students may study, conduct research, and attend research seminars and professional development workshops in either one of two beautiful settings: [1] La Jolla, CA at Scripps Research or [2] Jupiter, FL at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. The latest broadcasting technologies and pedagogical tools are employed to ensure connectivity, communication, and interaction between students and faculty in both locations.

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

A key feature of Scripps Research's graduate program is the ability for students to completely customize their experience across conventional boundaries. New students can customize their curriculum to consist of diverse courses aligned with their research interests, while also selecting lab rotations that impart laboratory experience in more than one research area. Students can also customize the focus of their thesis research to gain exposure to any discipline of their choosing.

Program Learning Outcome (PLO) Success Indicators

1. Integrate knowledge of specific research area into scientific approaches
2. Design testable hypotheses that are creative and insightful to the research area
3. Evaluate rigorous approaches to investigate the hypotheses
4. Demonstrate mastery of scientific tools and techniques, including laboratory-based and computer-based techniques, to address scientific questions
5. Analyze and interpret experimental data to obtain reproducible and statistically significant results that can be used support scientific insights
6. Demonstrate the practices and expected behaviors of an ethical scientist
7. Be a steward of science

APPLY ONLINE

In the process of completing an online application, all applicants are asked to submit a Statement of Purpose. This narrative is important, as applications are considered overwhelmingly based on a student’s scientific interests, previous research experience, and a statement of purpose that demonstrates a developed sense of professional direction, persistence and motivation. For important tips and guidance as to the recommended content and focus of these statements, please visit the Written Narratives page.

Once prospective students submit an online application, the following supplemental materials must be submitted by the annual December 1 deadline in order for an application to be considered complete:

Transcripts: Transcripts may be submitted online with application materials. For the purpose of applying, official transcripts are not required and an electronic copy of a transcript or scanned (PDF) copy of an unofficial transcript is preferred (must be official records from the university or college attended). Hand-typed listings of courses prepared by the applicant will not be considered. Official transcripts documenting the degree awarded at each college and/or university will be required prior to enrollment.

Transcripts from international institutions must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. A World Education Services (WES) Course-by-Course ICAP Evaluation is highly recommended for all applicants who have earned a degree(s) from an institution(s) outside of the United States.

Recommendation Letters: Three letters of recommendation are required from faculty or employers who can assess your research intensity and drive, your perseverance and independence in the lab, your creative contributions to the design and progress on a research project, and how quickly you assimilate to new ideas and embrace alternate approaches to a problem. Of particular interest to Scripps Research's doctoral program are letters from research advisors or research supervisors with direct knowledge of your previous laboratory research experience. Each recommender's contact information must be submitted online with your application.

GRE: As of 2020, Scripps Research has decided to make the submission of GRE scores for both the general and subject-specific exams optional. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a GRE score is omitted from an application. However, we will still consider GRE scores if they are submitted, and such scores may be helpful in the context of the applicant’s entire portfolio.
 

TOEFL/IELTS: International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Scripps Research does not accept Duolingo as an alternative. For applicants in regions where the TOEFL iBT is not available, Scripps Research will continue to accept scores for the paper-based test. The TOEFL or IELTS score must be dated within three years of your program's application deadline. The institution code for the TOEFL is 4651. (No department code is necessary.)

The TOEFL or IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant meets at least one of these criteria:

1. You are a native citizen and studied in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada (except Quebec). If you are a citizen of any other English-speaking country not listed above, you are not exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
2. You studied full time for at least two academic years within the last five years in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada (except Quebec). You must submit a transcript that shows you attended college or graduate school in one of these approved locations.
3. You earned a degree from a university outside of the U.S. with instruction fully in English (official English as language of instruction statement from school required).