Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory provides a unique and stimulating environment for a doctoral program in the biological sciences. It is an international community of science where students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty work side-by-side.The structure of the Laboratory is “flat” and the atmosphere intimate and highly interactive. Our program is designed for students with exceptional ability and a deep commitment to their graduate education. Its curriculum is designed to train confident, self-reliant students to become scholars and to acquire the knowledge their research and future careers demand.

Our innovative doctoral program includes the following key features:

The Watson School of Biological Sciences opened its doors in 1999. Our first class of six students arrived with a sense of adventure and a trust in a faculty that would follow Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s long tradition of non-compromising excellence, while introducing students to the changing face of biology in the 21st century. In a very short time the WSBS has become a leading PhD program in the biological sciences, one whose fresh approach is quickly being emulated by other programs across the country.

The spectacular track record of our students and alumni is a testament to the success of our remarkable program. They are publishing well-cited papers in leading journals, have received highly competitive fellowships and awards. Several have started tenure-track faculty positions within four years of graduating, which is much faster than is typical for Ph.D. programs - an excellent indicator of the School’s success in preparing highly qualified and competitive scientific leaders.

Our aim is to produce the next generation of leaders in science and society—I invite you to join us!