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Our PhD students and post-doctoral fellows train in more than 25 different laboratories engaged in cutting-edge biomedical research across the OU Health Campus and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Students in the Cell Biology training program are involved in research projects that span a broad range of topics.

This is a time of tremendous change and opportunity in research. Training in our Cell Biology PhD program involves the use of new tools to uncover the molecular causes of human disease, reveal new drug targets, and foster the development of innovative new therapies. With a PhD degree in Cell Biology, our students will be well equipped to solve some of the most vexing and complex health problems of the day.

The quickening pace of research, together with the growing emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, demands that tomorrow's scientists be not only dedicated experimentalists but also flexible, versatile, and capable of integrating information across a wide spectrum of fields. Successful scientists must also be effective communicators. We must be able to accurately and effectively present written and oral reports and skillfully use the written word to secure funding.

Moreover, in today's complex society, scientists must be able to clearly communicate with the lay public, who support much of our labor. The PhD Program in Cell Biology provides multiple venues to hone these skills outside the classroom. Students are given numerous opportunities to interact with faculty through seminar programs, journal clubs, and the Graduate Student Retreat.

The faculty of the Department of Cell Biology is committed to providing the highest quality training for our PhD candidates.

How Long to Complete the Program?

Average 5.5 years

Average Class Size

5-10 students per year

Competitive Student Stipend

$36,000 per year, health insurance and tuition benefits, and monetary incentives for grants and fellowships.

Curriculum

All enrolled students complete the first semester Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS) curriculum that focuses on fundamentals of biomedical science, biostatistics, scientific rigor, and scientific integrity. 

Subsequent year courses are minimal so students can focus on research progress, but include courses using flipped learning models focused on expanding core fundamentals of cell biology, learning to present research, and learning how to critically analyze the primary literature. 

Cutting edge electives are also offered including, courses to focused on coding in R for data analysis, hands-on training in super-resolution microscopy, and teaching practica for students interested in building teaching skills. 

Credit hours to complete the degree: 90 

For detailed course information, visit our Course Catalog.

Admission Requirements

The gateway to the Ph.D. Program in the Department of Cell Biology is the GPiBS Program. Students who apply to and are accepted into the GPiBS Program participate in a year-long interdisciplinary curriculum, as well as lab rotations, that give them the exposure to the breadth of biomedical science programs and faculty mentors available at OU Health Campus. This allows the students ample time in a variety of courses and labs to make an educated decision on which graduate program and mentor they wish to complete their Ph.D. studies with prior to joining a departmental program such as the PhD in Cell Biology. View more details about applying to the GPiBS program.  

Direct Admission to Cell Biology 

In specific circumstances, a student may be considered for direct admission to the Cell Biology Graduate Program (without first completing GPiBS).  Applications for direct admission to the Ph.D. program in Cell Biology are accepted from students who have identified a faculty member in the Department of Cell Biology under whom they wish to train. The faculty member must be willing to provide mentorship and financial support for the duration of the student’s Ph.D. training. 

Online submission of the application is required. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Application Procedure 

To apply directly to the Department of Cell Biology, first email the program director (Dr. Shannon Conley, Shannon-conley@ouhsc.edu) to express your interest. 

Admissions Requirements 

  • Undergraduate degree in a relevant major 
  • Minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree program and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on any Graduate coursework 
  • A WES or ECE report to confirm GPA is required for applicants who are graduating, or have graduated, from foreign institutions. 
  • GRE general exam scores may be submitted but are not required 
  • The TOEFL exam is required for foreign applicants.  Any applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying. Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A TOEFL score of at least 600 on the paper and pencil test, 220 on the computer-based test, or equivalent score on the web-based exam is the minimum required to be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program in Cell Biology. 
  • A letter from the prospective mentor in Cell Biology. 
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals other than the prospective mentor 
  • A personal statement of goals/purpose 

For additional information, visit our Course Catalog.

Program Details

Location Offered

Oklahoma City


Degree Acquired

PhD in Cell Biology


Application Window

Through the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS):
August 1, 2025 - January 11, 2026
Direct admits:
August 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026. 

Admissions

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Tuition and Aid

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I chose to complete my doctoral degree in the OU Health Sciences Department of Cell Biology due to their competitive and innovative research and their supportive community that encourages student success.

Michaela Vance
Conley Lab, Cell Biology PhD Program, Fourth Year

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