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First-Year Students

All PhD students admitted to the Molecular Biology Program and Biological Chemistry Program who remain in good academic standing will receive financial support including a fellowship / living stipend ($39,253for the 2026-2027 academic year), tuition waiver through the Tuition Benefit Program, and health insurance throughout their graduate training.

Calendar and Schedules

Fall 2026 Classes

Orientation: Monday, August 17 – Friday, August 21

First Half Begins: Monday, August 24

  • Last Day to Add/Drop (1st Half): Friday, August 28
  • Last Day to Add/Drop (Full): Friday, September 4
  • Labor Day: Monday, September 7
  • First Half Ends: Friday, October 9
  • Grades Due (1st Half): Wednesday, October 14

Fall Break: Monday, October 12 - Friday, October 16


Second Half Begins: Monday, October 19

  • Last Day to Add/Drop (2nd Half): Friday, October 23
  • Thanksgiving Break: Thursday, November 26 - Friday, November 27
  • Second Half Ends: Thursday, December 10
  • Reading Day: Friday, December 11
  • Grades Due (2nd Half): Tuesday, December 15
  • Grades Due (Full): Wednesday, December 23

Fall Town Hall with Directors: Friday, December 11

Holiday Recess: Monday, December 21 - Friday, January 8

Spring 2027 Classes

First Half Begins: Monday, January 11

  • Last Day to Add/Drop (1st Half): Friday, January 15
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 18
  • Last Day to Add/Drop (Full): Friday, January 22
  • Presidents Day: Monday, February 15
  • First Half Ends: Tuesday, March 2    

Second Half Begins: Wednesday, March 3

  • Last Day to Add/Drop (2nd half): Tuesday, March 9
  • Spring Break: Monday, March 8 - Friday, March 12
  • Second Half Ends: Tuesday, April 27
  • Reading Day: Wednesday, April 28
  • Grades Due (2nd Half): Monday, May 3
  • Grades Due (Full): Monday, May 10

Spring Town Hall with Directors: Wednesday, April 28

Capstone Exams: Thursday, April 29 - Wednesday, May 5

Office of the Registrar Academic Calendars | Curriculum Page

Fall 2026 Lab Rotations

1st Rotation Commitment Can Begin: Saturday, August 8

1st Rotation: Monday, August 31 - Friday, October 23

Report/Verification Due: Friday, October 30


2nd & 3rd Rotation Commitments Can Begin: Tuesday, September 15

2nd Rotation: Monday, October 26 - Friday, December 11

Report/Verification Due: Friday, December 18

Spring 2027 Lab Rotation

3rd Rotation: Monday, January 11 - Friday, March 5

Report/Verification Due: Friday, March 19

 

Verbal Lab Commitments Can Begin: Monday, March 8

Thesis Lab Update: Thursday, April 15

Begin in Thesis Lab: Monday, May 10


Guidelines for Arranging First Year Rotations | Succeeding in Lab Rotations

Health Insurance Information

2026-2027 Information Coming Soon

Health Insurance

U of U Student Health Insurance Plan

Provider United Healthcare

https://studenthealth.utah.edu/

https://www.uhcsr.com/

https://myaccount.uhcsr.com/login

https://www.uhcsr.com/news-main

https://www.uhcsr.com/faqs

Coverage is from 8/16/25 - 8/15/26

We are encouraging students to take advantage of the Virtual Visit* capability, available through the HealthiestYou mobile app, or for more information through your https://myaccount.uhcsr.com/login

HealthiestYou FAQ

Emotional-Support Help Line with Student Health Insurance

Optum is opening its Emotional-Support Help Line, providing access to specially trained mental health specialists to support people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress. Optum’s toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. 

 

Dental/Vision

U of U Student Dental/Vision Insurance Plan

Provider EMI Health

https://emihealth.com/groupplans/refid/uvoluntary

EMI Login Information

Coverage is from 8/16/25 - 8/15/26

2025-26 Student Dental/Vision Plan.pdf

 

Links to other University of Utah Offices

 

 

 

Last Updated: 8/7/26