PhD in New Biology

DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology), based in Daegu, South Korea, offers a combined master's and doctorate degree in New Biology, taught in English over six years. This integrated program lets students progress from master's coursework directly into doctoral research within one continuous track, studying biology through an interdisciplinary lens that combines traditional life sciences with tools from chemistry, physics, and computational science. In the earlier stage, students build a foundation in molecular biology methods and modern experimental and analytical techniques, before moving into independent research culminating in a doctoral dissertation on topics such as molecular and cellular mechanisms, genetics and genomics, or the application of advanced imaging and computational modeling to biological questions. This structure benefits students who already intend to pursue research careers in the life sciences, since it removes the need for a separate application between the master's and doctoral stages. Students build expertise in molecular biology methods, data analysis, and cross-disciplinary research approaches throughout the program. Career paths for graduates include research roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic and government research institutes, and technology firms developing tools for biological research, such as diagnostics or genomic analysis platforms. As biology continues to be reshaped by new technologies and computational methods, this integrated training positions graduates for research at the leading edge of the life sciences. New students can begin the six-year program during either the March or September intake each year, with all instruction conducted in English.