The University of Tulsa acquires Fab Lab Tulsa

The University of Tulsa has announced the acquisition of Fab Lab Tulsa, which provides access to digital fabrication tools and resources throughout the community through membership and programming. The move is part of TU’s ongoing efforts to promote innovation and aligns with the university’s global reputation in engineering, computer science, and the creative arts. “We […]

Unique organizational studies program offers expansive opportunities

At roughly 75 majors, organizational studies is one of the largest majors in The University of Tulsa’s Kendall College of Arts & Sciences. From social sciences, media, and arts to business administration, the program provides students a wide range of knowledge and skills, rather than limiting them to a single discipline. But as a so-called […]

TU Law celebrates alumna Sara Hill’s historic confirmation to federal bench

The University of Tulsa’s College of Law congratulates alumna Sara Hill (JD ’03) as she becomes the first Native American woman to serve as a federal judge in Oklahoma. This historic appointment marks a significant milestone in the state’s legal landscape. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to confirm Hill, who fills a vacant […]

New faculty member brings expertise and INSPIRE lab to Psychology Department

The University of Tulsa Department of Psychology has a wide variety of faculty-led research labs. From the Exposure, Relaxation & Rescripting Therapy for Chronic Nightmares study to the Psychophysiology Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience lab, TU offers students the opportunity to participate in ongoing research and even publish their findings. New to Kendall College of Arts […]

More than 60 years of James Joyce Quarterly

Legend has it that Thomas Staley, former provost of The University of Tulsa, founded the James Joyce Quarterly, fondly known as JJQ, in his garage. Or was it his kitchen table? That was more than 60 years ago, and since then the journal has become an internationally esteemed publication known for its publishing of critical […]

Biological Science Grad Programs

The biological science graduate program at The University of Tulsa equips aspiring biology scholars and scientists to excel in fields ranging from cell biology to evolutionary genetics and beyond.

Offering master’s and doctoral degree programs, UTulsa equips students with the technical research, analytical, and critical thinking skills they need to succeed as scientists and scholars. The department offers faculty laboratories that enable research ranging from algal diversity to virology. Core facilities support electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, EDxS), DNA prep and analysis, and confocal microscopy, and include an fMRI facility associated with the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. The department also maintains a research and teaching greenhouse and is home to the Barclay Herbarium. Faculty research areas include animal behavior, biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, endocrinology, evolution, development, genetics, genomics, herpetology, microbiology, mycology, neurobiology, physiology, and virology.

TOP 100 Private Research Institution

100% Biological Science Graduate Employment Rate

5:1 Student-Faculty Ratio

#20 STEM University, Forbes

Degree Details

UTulsa student presenting research during biological science conference

Biological Science, Non-Thesis, M.S.

UTulsa student using a flexible camera in a biology lab

Biological Science, Thesis, M.S.

UTulsa students and faculty discussing cellular images displayed on a monitor

Biological Science, Ph.D.

Alexandra C. N. Kingston, Ph.D. Graduate Adviser

Alexandra Kingston, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of biological sciences who uses integrative and comparative approaches to address fundamental questions on the neurobiology and sensory physiology that guides invertebrate behavior. To do so, her lab uses marine invertebrates to investigate the functional relationships among sensory systems and complex traits in an organismal context. Ongoing work in her lab focuses on how animals use their visual systems to interact with their environments & biological armor that dampens shock waves. Kingston teaches invertebrate zoology, comparative neurobiology, and a graduate seminar in organismal biology with a rotating theme. She is also an assistant editor for Integrative and Comparative Biology.

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Harrington Wells, Ph.D. Graduate Adviser

Harrington Wells, Ph.D., is coordinator of graduate studies for biology and a professor of biological science at the Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences. His research and teaching interests include behavioral ecology, population ecology, population genetics, environmental biology, general genetics, and experimental design. Wells was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship for study in Pakistan and received an Indo-U.S. Subcommission on Education and Culture Fellowship. He is a frequent contributor to academic journals and other publications. Wells holds a bachelor’s degree from Occidental College and a doctoral degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Professional Opportunities

Photograph of scientists collecting water samples from a stream

Graduates are well equipped to pursue job opportunities in biology, health, education, industry, and government. Roles include health care practitioner, technician, scientist, environmental scientist, biology teacher, forensics specialist, and more.
Graduates also serve as post-doctoral fellows and assistant professors in universities and as researchers in private biomedical firms.
Alumni employers include Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Saint Francis Health System, Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa City-County Health Department, St. John Medical Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health.

Funding Opportunities

Teaching assistantships that cover full tuition and include a monthly stipend are available for full-time students.
Qualified applicants may be eligible for externally funded research assistantships covering full tuition.
Once admitted, students may apply for small research or travel grants through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
In addition, our students have been awarded NSF Doctoral Fellowships and NSF Dissertation Improvement Grants.

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Admission Information

Must hold baccalaureate degree from an accredited university
General GRE scores required
Minimum TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PET scores required for international students
Applications due Feb. 1

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Learn more about the department

The Department of Biological Science at UTulsa prepares graduates for the challenges of a rapidly changing science while developing the skills needed to excel in writing and science literacy, ethical reasoning, critical thinking and communication and the ability to adjust to modern society’s complex technological components.

Department of Biological Science