Biological Sciences in Public Health

Biological Sciences in Public Health"‹ is one of the programs in the  Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Visit HILS for additional  application instructions. 

This program is built on three unique core pillars:

• Biological research with a focus on understanding, preventing, and treating human diseases affecting large populations
• Emphasis on laboratory sciences using biochemical, cell biology, molecular, genetic, and computational approaches to delineating disease mechanisms
• State-of-the-art research facilities within the vibrant intellectual community of the Harvard Longwood Campus

You will choose from three major areas of investigation:

• Metabolic basis of health and diseases, where you will study the control of cellular and systemic metabolism
• Immunology and infectious diseases, where you will conduct laboratory research focused on infectious and immune-mediated diseases
• Molecular and integrative physiological sciences, where you will investigate basic pathogenic mechanisms, adaptive stress responses, and other biological impacts on human health and disease.

Examples of student projects include understanding the effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic and phenotypic diversity, defining how the liver responds to fasting and feeding using genetic mouse models, and understanding how pulmonary airway epithelial cells communicate through extracellular vesicles.

Graduates have gone into academia at institutions like Harvard Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth College. Others have secured positions in industry with companies like McKinsey & Company, Pfizer, and Novartis.

Students in the BPH program are enrolled in and receive a PhD from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, even though they may work primarily with Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health faculty on Harvard's Longwood Medical Campus. BPH is also one of the graduate programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences.  

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the program in Biological Sciences in Public Health and requirements for the degree are detailed in GSAS Policies.

STEP 1: CHOOSE A PROGRAM

GSAS offers master’s and PhD degrees in programs based in the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering and applied sciences. Many programs also allow a student to conduct more focused research by choosing an area of study. Review the programs on offer to decide which best meets your academic goals.

STEP 2: MAKE A NOTE OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE

Application deadlines vary by program and are noted on the program page.

STEP 3: Review the STANDARDIZED TESTS requirements

Programs may require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or subject test scores. Applicants who are non-native English speakers may be required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS). Review the admissions policy on English Proficiency for more information. Be sure to register early for required tests.

STEP 4: COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION BY THE DEADLINE

The online application becomes available in September. The application and all components are due by 5:00 p.m., eastern time, on the deadline date.