Metabolic Biology Admissions

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at UC Berkeley offers two doctoral programs, Metabolic Biology and Endocrinology, and a master’s program in Metabolic Biology. Admissions occur once annually for fall entry, and applicants may apply to only one UC Berkeley graduate program per cycle. In the Metabolic Biology Ph.D. program, students are admitted to the program rather than a specific lab, giving them the opportunity to explore research interests through lab rotations during the first semester; advisor placement is finalized by the end of the first year. Admissions to the Endocrinology Ph.D. is paused for Fall 2026 admissions cycle and will resume for Fall 2027. All applications are reviewed holistically by a committee of faculty and graduate students, who consider each applicant’s academic background, research experience, and personal journey. To support equity and minimize bias, the committee uses standardized evaluation rubrics and receives training on implicit bias.

Applications for Fall 2026 admission to the Metabolic Biology program open on September 10, 2025, and close at 8:59 PM PST on December 1, 2025. Please note that the program admits for the fall semester only.

Apply via the Graduate Division website

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You’re invited to UC Berkeley’s Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair for an inside look at the Ph.D. application process. Join the live session with a graduate admissions officer to get step-by-step guidance, application tips, and insights into what we look for in candidates. Learn about the admissions timeline and get your questions answered in real time.

What We Look For

The admissions committees evaluate applications based on several criteria:

Academic potential, taking into consideration any barriers that may have impacted the applicant’s prior achievements

Depth of research experience and other work experience

Motivation for graduate work, intellectual curiosity, persistence, and leadership experiences

Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as outreach activities, multicultural experiences, and lived experiences

For the Metabolic Biology program, the admissions committee conducts a holistic review of each application, considering the statement of purpose, personal history statement, research experience, academic performance, relevant coursework, and letters of recommendation. A solid background in general chemistry (with lab), introductory biology (with lab), physics, and mathematics (calculus and/or statistics) is expected. Applicants with strong academic records, particularly those with degrees in biology, chemistry, or related fields and significant lab experience, tend to be well-prepared for the program. Competitive GRE scores, while not the sole focus, can strengthen an application. Equally important are compelling recommendation letters and well-crafted statements of purpose that clearly articulate the applicant’s goals and motivation. Each component of the application is carefully weighed to identify candidates with both academic potential and a strong fit for the program.

The minimum graduate admissions requirements are:

A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution

A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale

Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the graduate admissions application or graduate admissions process, please contact the Graduate Student Affairs Officer at nst_gsao@berkeley.edu.

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What We Look For

The minimum graduate admissions requirements are:

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Register for UC Berkeley's Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair