Academic and research resources
- Review your degree requirements
- Explore subject offerings
- Learn more about current department research
- View our list of external fellowships and scholarships
- Support for students changing labs
Graduate Manual
The Graduate Manual contains:
- Resources for first-year students
- Resources for enrolled MD/PhD students
- Information about rotations
- Preliminary exam guidelines
- Thesis Committee meeting information
- Individual Development Plan information
- Guidelines for graduating
- Graduate Committee information
- Important forms
Career development
After completing your doctoral studies, you will be fully prepared for a variety of career options. Many of our students pursue careers in academia or industry. Others choose a research-related or non-research career, reflecting the broad role of biology in the world.
Student Support
There are many resources at MIT, and the sites below aggregate information about people and offices who support students and the types of help they provide. In nearly all cases, graduate students who are seeking help or support or who would like to discuss a situation they are facing should contact the graduate directors, the DEI officer, or the Office of Graduate Education. We can either help you directly or help you identify the right people to connect with.
- Get Help – Biology department-specific information and advice about how to find someone to talk to
- Graduate Student Resources at MIT – list provided by the Division of Student Life
- REFs guide for students to find help at MIT – flowchart to find the right people to talk to
- Community Wellness – Resources and programs for the entire MIT community to support healthy choices
- MIT Medical – Resources for physical and mental health
- Student Disability Services
- At the website ask.mit.edu you can enter any question and be connected with an appropriate resource
Student organizations and resources
We encourage you to check the department calendar (login required) to find out more about upcoming events and programming.
The Biology Graduate Student Council presents the interests of Biology graduate students to the department, faculty, and MIT at large.
The BioPals Program matches incoming first-year graduate students with more senior students (“Pals”).
BioREFS (Resource for Easing Friction and Stress) provide MIT’s Biology community with an independent resource to support, encourage, diffuse, and mediate during times of stress.
The MIT Biotech Group provides educational and career development events and resources for students interested in the biotechnology industry.
The Biology Diversity Community (BDC) is a cross-disciplinary, student-driven group that fosters peer support for underrepresented students that unites a network of individuals throughout the biology community.