Prospective Students
The QCB Program at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is a place where leaders in the chemical and/or physical sciences and the biological sciences are trained. We look to recruit students from quantitative or physical science backgrounds who would like to apply their skills to biologically meaningful questions. If you have a strong background in biology, you should consider applying to our sister program, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program.
The unique aspect of the QCB Program is that students have the flexibility to explore their research interests from the offerings of the 13 participating departments and programs prior to choosing a laboratory for their dissertation research. Previous didactic training in the biological science is not required for entry into the Quantitative & Chemical Biology Program. Students in the first year QCB Program generally consider training in one of the following four tracks.
The coursework and research components of the program prepare students for research careers in which they are able to bring state-of-the art tools of the modern chemical and physical sciences to bear on cutting-edge biological problems. Successful completion of the QCB Program leads to Ph.D. degree.
Please explore our website to learn more about the exciting, stimulating, and comprehensive training provided by the QCB Program. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
Our online application for Fall 2026 opens August 1, 2025.
- Submission of GRE scores is optional.
- There is no application fee for anyone who has performed research funded by a US entity. Read more here!
2024 Biomedical Graduate Program Info Session and Recruiting Fair Schedule
Below are dates and times for a series of online Zoom information sessions and workshops. Feel free to register for any that you might find helpful. Please note that all times are Central Time in the United States. To find out what time it is in your time zone, click HERE.
Interviewing for Biomedical Graduate Programs:
Have you been invited for an interview at a graduate program or do you just want to know what to expect? I will review different types of interviews and discuss what to expect and how to prepare for your interview. Choose a date/time that works best for you.
Tuesday December 3 @ 4 PM Central Time
Thursday December 12 @ 10 AM Central Time
Wednesday December 18 @ 12 Noon Central Time
Would you like to meet a representative of our Biomedical Graduate programs? We would love to meet you too! We will be attending the following Graduate School Fairs, some of which will be virtual and free for prospective students. Please stop by so we can get to know you. You can also contact us with any questions you may have.
| Date | 2025 Graduate School Fairs and Links |
| March | University of Maryland College Park McNair |
| April | National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) – Pittsburgh PA |
| July | NIH 2024 Graduate & Professional School Fair – in Person |
| July | Leadership Alliance National Symposium, Hartford CT |
| September | University of New Mexico McNair, Albuquerque, NM |
| September | Rhodes College, Memphis, TN |
| October | Meyerhoff Scholars Program, UMBC, Baltimore MD |
| October 16-19 | oSTEM, Baltimore, MD |
| October 27-29 | Florida International University McNair, Miami Florida |
| October 30 – November 1 | SACNAS National Conference, Columbus, OH |
| November | ABRCMS Conference, San Antonio, TX |
At Vanderbilt University, we hold the sincere belief that fostering the advancement of and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff benefits all members of our community. To bring to life our vision of inclusive excellence, we are intentional about recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse and underrepresented groups of students. We encourage individuals from all populations to apply to our graduate programs. The university does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic background, or disability.