Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Graduate education is one of the central missions of our lab.  At any given time the lab typically has 2-4 graduate students working toward a Ph.D. degree. These students are usually enrolled in the graduate program of the Department of Biology, although in special circumstances students can also be admitted through the Department of Marine Sciences, the Curriculum in Neurobiology, or the Biomedical and Biological Sciences Program (BBSP).  Our philosophy is to keep the lab group relatively small, so that we can provide promising graduate students with considerable individual attention and help each one develop an innovative research program, a strong publication record, and a successful scientific career.

The biology graduate program at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill is a doctoral (Ph.D.) program and the admissions committee will not accept students seeking a Master's (M.S.) degree. However, the M.S. degree is not a prerequisite for admission. Students with an undergraduate degree, outstanding credentials, and sufficient research experience can be admitted directly to the graduate program.

All students admitted to the biology graduate program automatically receive financial support from the university in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. Students in the Lohmann Lab often receive additional supplemental financial support in the form of research assistantships paid for by the National Science Foundation, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Office of Naval Research, or another sponsor of the lab's research.

During most years we receive inquiries and applications from approximately 15-20 prospective graduate students. Unfortunately, space in the lab is limited and we can usually only accept (at most) one new student per year. Admission to the lab is therefore highly competitive. Successful applicants are typically highly motivated, creative, and accomplished individuals who are willing to work long hours and have a consuming interest in scientific research.  Nearly all have: (1) a strong background in one or more fields of science or engineering; (2) a record of significant prior research experience and accomplishment, often including one or more published papers and/or a Master's degree; (3) combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores of about 1300 or higher; (4) a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale; (5) the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team; and (6) broad interests in biology and the ambition to become an outstanding scientist. Because no single experience or achievement is an infallible predictor of scientific potential, however, we view these characteristics as general guidelines rather than rigid requirements. We welcome applications from talented students of any nationality and/or ethnicity.

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact Dr. Ken Lohmann (KLohmann@email.unc.edu) and/or Dr. Catherine Lohmann (CLohmann@email.unc.edu) to indicate their interest in applying and to provide information on their background and research interests. 


Information for Applicants for Fall, 2011

     We expect to have an opening for at least one new student in fall, 2011.  The next biology application deadline is in December, 2010.  Although applicants with interests in all relevant areas are given careful consideration, the lab is beginning several new research initiatives which make this a particularly favorable time for students with research experience or skills in histology, oceanographic modeling, and animal learning and conditioning.


About UNC: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest public university in the United States, having first opened its doors in 1795. The institution is typically ranked among the top five public universities in the nation.

More information for prospective graduate students is available on the UNC Department of Biology home page.

Last updated 9.07.10