FAQs

1. Where do I find information about PhD admissions?

2. As a biology PhD student am I required to do rotations?

3. How do I find a lab in which to rotate (Cell/Mol and I/O)?

4. When are the various department forms due?

5. How do I find out how I am being paid?

6. What is the difference between being paid stipend versus salary?

7. Is there a way to get my University bill automatically paid with my stipend or salary?

8. How many units am I allowed to enroll in?

9. What quarters do I need to enroll in classes?

10. Will I get an MS degree while working on my PhD?

11. I'm a PhD student in another department. Can I apply to get an MS in Biology?

1. Where do I find information about PhD admissions?

Admissions information for our PhD program can be found on this website.

2. As a biology PhD student am I required to do rotations?

Eco/Evo students are not required to rotate if they have already chosen their lab upon admission; these students can begin their research right away. Some Eco/Evo students choose to do rotations for training purposes - to learn a specific skill in lab other than their thesis lab. Interested students must get approval from their primary advisor and the proposed advisor in the rotation lab. occasionally an Eco/Evo student is admitted to the PhD program but not to a specific lab; in these instances, the student must consult with her/his 1st year advising committee about suitable, formal rotations.

Students in the I/O track are allowed (and encouraged) to rotate in as many as three labs during their first year. I/O students must complete their 1st rotation with a biology faculty member.

Cell/Mol students must rotate in at least 2 labs for a total of 20 weeks during the first year. One rotation must be with a Biology faculty member. You are also free to choose any faculty member in the Biosciences.

3. How do I find a lab in which to rotate (Cell/Mol and I/O)?

There are several resources students can use to review faculty research and interests: 1) 1st year faculty advising committee which will be assigned to new students during orientation week; 2) look through department faculty profiles, 3) look through the Community Academic Profiles, and 4) other grad students. Once you have found a potential faculty member with whom you would like to rotate, email him/her to see if they are willing to take you as a rotation student for one quarter.

4. When are the various department forms due?

Information about department forms and their corresponding deadlines is available on this website.

5. How do I find out how I am being paid?

Before each academic year begins, you will receive a letter of financial support from the Student Services Office that will explain if you are getting paid stipend or salary, and when to expect your checks.

6.  What is the difference between being paid stipend versus salary?

Students being paid stipend will receive their stipend check at the beginning of each quarter. Taxes will NOT be removed from your stipend check unless you are an international student, so you will need to plan for that. Students being paid salary will receive a bi-weekly paycheck on the 7th and 22nd of each month. Taxes WILL be removed from your salary check before you receive money.

7. Is there a way to get my University bill automatically paid with my stipend or salary?

Yes! If you are being paid stipend, all of your quarterly fees on the University Bill (with the exception of your cable bill) will be paid before you receive your check. If you are being paid salary, you must set up payroll deductions EVERY ACADEMIC YEAR for this to happen. You can sign up for Payroll Deductions on Axess.

8. How many units can I enroll in?

PhD students in our department are required to enroll in exactly 10 units each quarter - this is also the maximum units that the department will pay for in terms of tuition. If you wish to enroll in more than 10 units, you will be responsible for the tuition associated with each additional unit.

9. What quarters do I need to enroll in classes?

PhD students in our department are required to enroll in classes during all four quarters, including summer quarter.

10. Will I get an MS degree while working on my PhD?

The department does not typically award an MS degree to students working on their PhD. However, if a student chooses to discontinue the PhD program, he/she may have the option to graduate with an MS degree provided they meet the requirements for the MS degree.

11.  I'm a PhD student in another department. Can I apply to get an MS in Biology?

The department will accept MS applications from PhD students in other departments at Stanford. To apply, you will need to submit all of the application materials required for the Coterminal MS program. Please contact Student Services with any questions.