Skip to header Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Students in a lab with jars and a microscope

Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D.

Further your options with a Ph.D in Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology

Our alumni work in:

Conduct research at a university or college.

Use your knowledge and skills to conduct research for government organizations.

Design and develop technologies to research and solve marine-related issues.

Influence marine policy with your advanced knowledge and skills.

Become faculty at a university or college.

Learn To

Develop a research plan

Present and defend a research plan

Answer questions regarding their research field

Communicate his or her research to a broadly trained public audience

Write research in the form of a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal

“ The department has a wide array of interests, especially centered around the marine environment, that cultivate a rich academic community. With the addition of very friendly faculty and students, it's a hard place to leave. ”
Ryan Besemer, ’23M, ’28 Ph.D. M.S. Marine Biology and Integrative, Comparative, & Marine Biology, Ph.D
Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D. Program Overview

Advance Your Research

The Doctor of Philosophy program offers a broad background and overview of the fields comprising marine biology and prepares you for professional and leadership positions.

This research degree program serves students with interests in conducting research in academia, industry and government; individuals who intend to become faculty in undergraduate teaching institutions; managers in technology-based industries and policy makers in government.

Interested in teaching? The program includes a teaching practicum with classroom instruction in pedagogical techniques and technologies along with lecture experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Diverse Research Areas

Choose from diverse research areas and coursework that provide a broad educational perspective including coastal and estuarine biology, crustacean biology, marine mammalogy, and molecular biology and systematics of marine organisms.

Drone pilot

Sample Courses in Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D.

Table shows sample courses in this program
BIO 601 Oceanography & Environmental Science
BIO 602 Ecology
BIO 603 Physiology & Biochemistry
BIO 604 Cellular & Molecular Biology
BIO 605 Evolution & Diversity
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply to the Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology, Ph.D. program?

You are required to submit the following to the Graduate School (please do not send items to the department):

  • An application for graduate admission
  • Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Detailed summary of M.S. thesis research (maximum of three pages)
  • Statement of interest for Ph.D. research (maximum of three pages)
  • Reprints or copies of any publications (if applicable)

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: Ph.D. Integrative, Comparative, and Marine Biology

Apply Now

  • Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
  • All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.

Coordinator

Location/Delivery Method

  • Main Campus

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Spring 2025:
    • Deadline: October 1, 2024

  • Summer I 2025:
    • Deadline: April 1, 2025
  • Fall 2025:
    • Priority Consideration: February 1, 2025
    • Space Available Deadline: April 1, 2025

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • None Required

Recommendations

  • 3 recommendation letters by individuals in professionally relevant fields.

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
    Upload Supplemental Documents
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Ph.D. Research:  Statement of Interest for Ph.D. research, including a summary of relevant experience (maximum of three pages)
  4. Publications:  Copies of publications (if available)
  5. Degree Requirements:  A bachelor’s degree in biology or a related discipline from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent at an international institution based on a four-year program.
  6. Research Requirements:  A record of research, applied learning or relevant professional experience.
  7. UNCW Faculty: Prospective students should make initial contact with the faculty with whom you wish to work (Meet Our Team - Faculty).
  8. Note:  Under certain circumstances, a student in the M.S. biology or marine biology program may, with the support of their faculty advisor, apply to the Ph.D. program rather than completing their M.S. degree. Students who choose this path after their first year of core courses and research planning must complete a new application, including letters of recommendation, to enter the Ph.D. program.

See Everything happening in the
department

Are You an International Student?

This is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM designated program that allows eligible F1 international students to apply for a 24-month optional practical training extension.

Learn More

  • Related Programs

    Coastal and Ocean Policy, M.S.

    The Master of Coastal and Ocean Policy (MCOP) is a professional, non-thesis, interdisciplinary degree program that immerses students in a unique curriculum aimed at advancing technical knowledge of coastal and ocean processes and resources as well as the tools and concepts of the policy making.

    Learn more

    Geographic Information Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

    UNCW is accredited with the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) to offer a certificate in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT).

    Learn more

  • Graduate Programs to Consider

    Biology, M.S.

    Specialize in ocean sciences, technology and marine policy.

    Learn more

    Marine Biology, M.S.

    A program that prepares students as managers of coastal and marine resources, trained to deal with contemporary problems in the environment; and provides a broad–based graduate program allowing for specialization in the diverse fields of inquiry under the marine biology umbrella.

    Learn more