The Application Process

You may apply to the TETRAD graduate program online, by filling out an online application, and downloading the instructions.

The deadline for the Fall 2010 application is December 1, 2009.

In order to provide students with more flexibility in choosing a course of study, the biochemistry and molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and developmental biology programs have a joint admissions process called the Tetrad. Students interested in any of these programs apply to all four programs together, are accepted into all four initially, then commit to a particular program at the end of their first year of study.

Neuroscience, Biophysics, and Chemistry and Chemical Biology are also part of the PIBS umbrella program. However, these departments administer their admissions procedures separately. For information regarding application to these programs, visit their individual program sites.

There are other graduate programs at UCSF that are often confused with Tetrad because there is an overlap in faculty participation and research areas. The other programs include Biomedical Sciences (BMS), Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB), Neuroscience, and Biophysics. Information regarding application to these programs can be found at their websites or by calling the department.

YOU MAY APPLY TO ONLY ONE PROGRAM AT A TIME

The Graduate Division will discard applications for multiple programs, processing only the application that it receives first. It is therefore important to consider which program suits your interests and apply to ONLY that program. Applying to Tetrad is considered to be a single application.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Tetrad Program, we expect that entering graduate students will have diverse undergraduate preparation. Students with backgrounds in anatomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics and related fields, are welcome to apply, providing they have demonstrated a high level of academic proficiency (generally a grade point average of 3.2 or higher in relevant science courses). Evidence of exposure to scientific research, generally as participation in a research project during at least one summer, is regarded as an important attribute of the successful applicant.

Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination and a subject test in biochemistry, chemistry, biology or physics is strongly recommended. The examination must be taken early so that official scores are mailed before January. Information about the examination may be obtained here.

We strongly recommend that you take the October GRE test.
Results should be forwarded to UCSF institutions code number R4840-0202.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Stipend
Students admitted to the any of the PIBS programs are assured a full stipend of $27,000 per year, plus fees, and payment of their resident registration fee. The Tetrad program has in general been able to secure waiver of non-resident tuition fees for out-of-state first-year students. Students are expected to become California residents after one year, and to complete their graduate work in no more than five years of full-time study. Funding beyond three years is not underwritten by the Department and becomes the responsibility of the thesis advisor.

Fellowships and Grants
A major source of support for graduate students is predoctoral training grants. At present, the department is supporting students on two training grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Students are also encouraged to apply for outside fellowships. United States citizens are eligible for an NSF fellowship. Contact information for the NSF fellowship is listed below.

GRF Operations Center
Suite T-50
1818 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 866-NSF-GRFP (866-673-4737)
Email: info@nsfgradfellows.org
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/

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