Biological sciences offer a complete education in modern biology, ranging from molecular structure and mechanisms to cells, microorganisms, animals, plants, and clinical applications. Graduate students have the opportunity of working not only in their specific fields of interest, but also in related areas. Interdisciplinary work across traditional departmental boundaries is prevalent, and a wide array of seminar programs exists.

Graduate training in the biological sciences is organized through both departments and programs. The majority of students begin training in the department that ultimately awards them a doctoral degree, but in many cases university programs are used as a point of entry. The biological sciences function in an integrated fashion, so that the unit of choice—either department or program—is not of great importance. Students are free to transfer between departments. Graduate training is an ongoing process by which all students are encouraged to pursue their intellectual curiosities. Because it is acknowledged that some of the most exciting research today crosses many fields, it is imperative that graduate students be afforded broad training opportunities.

The University Programs in Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Biophysics, Molecular Cancer Biology, Pharmacological Sciences and Toxicology are mechanisms that help facilitate cross-disciplinary training and collaboration. Besides the departments mentioned above, there are faculty in chemistry that participate in these programs. Students can be accepted into a program and be trained in a particular field, such as cell and molecular biology, and can draw on the expertise of faculty in almost every department in the University. A student in a program, except in Genetics and Molecular Cancer Biology, eventually chooses a department in which to complete doctoral training; however, this decision can be made after a student's interests are refined. Regardless of whether graduate training is begun in a program or a department, the result will be the same: outstanding training in basic research. Recognizing that prospective students may want to keep their options open, Duke allows simultaneous joint applications to one program and one department.

Because graduate training in biological sciences at Duke is a joint venture between the School of Arts and Sciences and the Medical Center, considerable variety in training is offered, not only in terms of the disciplines that one can study, but also in terms of the people involved in graduate training. There are more than 200 faculty who are active in graduate education in the biological sciences. The faculty of Duke, renowned for its research and teaching, has recruited more than 40 new members over the past six years.

Duke is unique among academic institutions in that the Medical Center campus is an integral part of the University campus. This has allowed Duke to develop an outstanding program in biological sciences that intermingles graduate training with undergraduate and medical training. Undergraduates and medical students participate in graduate courses and train in research labs. Graduate students are often given the opportunity to help teach in undergraduate and medical courses. Interaction with other students is a very important component in graduate training, and Duke offers the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people.