Virology
Virology is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences that facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Visit HILS for additional application instructions.
This program is one of the few virology graduate programs in the country, and its small size provides the benefits of a smaller program, offering nearly a one-to-one ratio of students to faculty.
You will take advantage of a well-developed curriculum that focuses on analyzing, reading, and discussing papers to generate, present, and discuss research proposals. Most importantly, you will learn how to think as a scientist. You will have the opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art research involving molecular biology, cell biology of viruses, structural analysis, cryo-EM, and genomic analysis of cells and viruses.
Examples of student projects include structure and mechanism actions of antiviral antibodies including SARS-CoV2, cellular genes that promote and inhibit viral infection, and mechanisms of viral oncogenesis.
Graduates have gone on to faculty positions at prestigious institutions such as MIT, Brandeis University, Duke University, and Yale University. Others have begun careers at companies including Moderna, Gilead, Pfizer, and Sanofi Pasteur.
Additional information on the graduate program is available from Virology, and requirements for the degree are detailed in policies.
Admissions Requirements
Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from Virology.
Interviews
Personal interviews are conducted as part of the application process. Invitations for interviews are usually sent out between late December and early January depending on the program.
Personal Statement
Required
Standardized Tests
GRE General: Not Accepted
GRE Subject: Not Accepted
iBT TOEFL minimum score: 100
IELTS minimum score: 7