See UCLA's minimum requirements for all graduate program applicants.

In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are expected to submit an essay describing academic background, work experience, motivation for research, and career goals.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in a biological or physical science. Applicants are generally expected to have completed university coursework in mathematics through calculus, college physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. Courses in cell and molecular biology are recommended. If an applicant lacks preparation in a recommended course, but has an otherwise outstanding academic record, the applicant may be admitted to graduate status provided that the deficiencies are corrected.

In addition to requirements listed above, applicants must submit transcripts of all university coursework.

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient capability to understand and communicate in English to be able to successfully complete graduate education.

Selected applicants will be invited to interview with selected members of the faculty and graduate student representatives. The graduate program committee makes admissions decisions based on application information, recommendations of the interviewers, availability of appropriate training faculty, and availability of financial support for the applicant.

STAR program participants are admissible to the Ph.D. program if their research mentor is on the training faculty of the interdepartmental program.