Graduate Program Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Watson School of Biological Sciences

A Practical, Research-based Approach to the Biological Sciences

The flexible curriculum in biological sciences at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the field. Mastering the vast breadth of biological knowledge that has been accumulated is beyond the capacity of any single individual, so students are trained to take diverse approaches to research and discovery.

CSHL's curriculum trains students how to conduct the necessary research to explore scientific issues rather than emphasizing the memorization of a small chunk of the vast biological knowledge available.

The Ph.D. program at CSHL takes four years, beginning with an introduction to the biological sciences through coursework and laboratory rotations in the first year.

In subsequent years, students shift focus to the principles of scientific logic, the importance of ethics, and effective communication in the biological field. Research plays a large role in the program, so both faculty mentors and advisers support students in their research efforts.

Renowned Research and Faculty

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is renowned for its excellent research faculty. The program boasts 46 research faculty members that direct independent programs, providing a wealth of diverse topics for students to explore. This international group of scientists offers a variety of perspectives on biological research and works closely with students in the labs.

CSHL has been the site of important research breakthroughs in recent years. In 2000, researchers at CSHL reported the first complete DNA sequence of a plant genome. In 2002, RNA studies by Shiv Grewal, Gregory Hannon, and Rob Martienssen were recognized as the Breakthrough of the Year by the journal "Science." And in 2007, Jonathan Sebat and Michael Wigler found a genetic distinction between heritable and sporadic forms of autism.

Both Academic and Research Mentors

In the Watson School of Biological Sciences (WSBS) graduate program the faculty members are highly active as mentors to guide the students through their academic career. Each student receives two faculty mentors: one for research and one for academic work.

Academic mentors are assigned to students their first year to follow their academic progress. After the first year laboratory rotations, students select a topic of interest and choose a faculty research mentor who both serves as that student's doctoral thesis research adviser and supervises all independent laboratory research.

This double mentor arrangement not only gives students twice the support, it also allows students to receive research advice from two different knowledgeable perspectives. Students benefit from the diversity of opinion and approach their studies and research with a more informed viewpoint. When students are considering career options, having two faculty mentors is also advantageous for the added perspectives and the broadened industry and academic connections available to the student.

Numerous Accessible Research Centers

Students have ready access to many nearby Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory research facilities, such as the Banbury Center, the Uplands Farm Agricultural Field Station, the Cancer Genome Research Center, and the Dolan DNA Learning Center, all within a five mile radius.

CSHL's Banbury Center is a small conference center recognized internationally for being one of the world's best discussion workshops for topics in human genetics, molecular genetics, molecular biology, and neurobiology.

At the Uplands Farm Agricultural Field Station students conduct advanced plant research, including plant genetics, plant development, and biological phenomena.

The Cancer Genome Research Center studies cancer development and potential therapies, and is one of the largest centers of its kind in New York State. The center significantly advances CSHL's research missions through its additional laboratory space, core facilities, and the Genome Sequencing Center.

The Dolan DNA Learning Center is the first science center devoted entirely to educating the public about genetics. At the center CSHL graduate students conduct laboratory workshops for primary and secondary school students and science teachers.

Student-Designed Curriculum at Watson School of Biological Sciences

Students at the Watson School of Biological Sciences enjoy a flexible program that allows them to design their own course of study. During the first year students take three core courses -- Scientific Reasoning and Logic, Scientific Exposition and Ethics, and Research Topics -- for a broad foundation in the basics of biology. Students then take three courses in specialized disciplines in biology, with major biological research fields team-taught by faculty.

In order to provide students with the most options, an intensive one-week special Topics in Biology course is offered that covers research specialties outside the expertise of CSHL faculty members.

Students also take laboratory in order to experience different areas of the biological sciences, such as genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biomedical engineering, molecular genetics and microbiology, and neurobiology and behavior.

Upon completing these courses and laboratory rotations students are ready to select an area of specialization, a research topic, and a research adviser to pursue a doctoral thesis.

Students Live Amidst Natural Beauty

One hundred graduate students live in a variety of subsidized housing both on-site and off-site. Students in their first year have the option of living in one of the pair of renovated 19th century houses between the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory campus and the Cold Spring Harbor Village. After the first year, single graduate students may continue to have single rooms in shared houses, while married students will be housed in apartments.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is located on the west shore of Cold Spring Harbor along the north shore of Long Island. The campus is a resting spot for migratory birds in the spring and fall. Long Island, where the campus lies, is a glacial moraine that features many islets, natural harbors, and expansive beaches.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Biological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 1
• Doctoral Degrees 4
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? No
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Required, Required and lab rotations, teaching experience, qualifying exam, postdoctoral proposals
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied264
• Accepted25
• Acceptance Rate9%
• Enrolled9
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $60
• Application Fee - International $60
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline December 1st December 1st Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE Recommended
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *Not Reported
• Out-of-state tuition *Not Reported
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsDecember 1
• Types of financial support availableFellowships, Tuition Waivers, Health Care Benefits

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students54
• Female Percentage44%
• Male Percentage56%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students54
• Part-time Percentage0%
• Full-time Percentage100%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino17%
• Black / African American9%
• White / Caucasian61%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian9%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races4%
• Unknown0%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty56
• Full-time Percentage100%
• Part-time Percentage0%
• Female Percentage18%
• Male Percentage82%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchGenetics; neurobiology; cancer, plant, molecular, cellular, quantitative and structural biology
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported