Prerequisites. Applicants for admission must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in science. Although there are no absolute grade requirements, applicants with verbal, quantitative and analytical Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores of 500, 700 and 4.0 or greater, respectively, and GPAs (last 60 hours) of 3.0 (or 75% of the maximal GPA) or greater, will receive strongest consideration. Probationary admission status may be awarded to those not having these credentials dependent on recommendations of the VBSC program faculty.

Application Procedure. Applications are accepted at any time; however, all documents should be received prior to March 1 for admission to the fall semester, and July 1 for the spring semester. Application should be made through the OSU Graduate College admissions website. In addition to official transcripts of all college-level courses and degree completion, applicants are required to submit scores for the Aptitude Test portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants for whom English is a second language are also required to demonstrate an acceptable level of spoken English by submitting a TOEFL score. An internet based TOEFL score of 79 (with at least 42 on the combined Reading and Listening portions, with a score of at least 20 in each section) taken within the last two years is required. For those applicants applying for graduate teaching assistantships, a score of 22 or greater on the speaking portion of the internet based TOEFL is required.

A statement of purpose and three letters of reference are also required. The statement of purpose should explain why the applicant is seeking graduate studies in VBSC and how earning such a degree will further their educational and career goals. The letters of reference should be from persons knowledgeable about the character and educational background of the applicant and able to express an opinion on the suitability of the applicant for graduate studies.