GBS Academic Calendar, 2025-2026

GBS begins its semesters earlier than the official UAB start dates. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the GBS academic calendar dates. The UAB Academic Calendar lists holidays, commencement, and other items of interest.

Incoming Students

Summer Orientation (Early Admits): June 2, 2025

Dauphin Island Sea Lab (Neuro students only): August 4 - August 14, 2025

Fall Orientation: August 06, 2025

GBS Individual Theme Welcomes: August 7, 2025

GBS Symposium: August 8, 2025 

Rotations

• Early Fall: August 11 - October 10, 2025
• Late Fall: October 13 - December 12, 2025
• Early Spring 2026: January 12 - March 13, 2026
• Late Spring 2026: March 16 - May 15, 2026 (if needed)

Fall 2025 Semester: August 25 - December 12, 2025

First-Year Courses:

• GBS 709: Basic Biological Organization: August 25 - September 26, 2025
• GBS 707: Basic Biochemistry & Metabolism: September 29 - October 31, 2025
• GBS 708: Basic Genetics & Molecular Biology: November 3 - December 12, 2025

Spring 2026 Semester: January 12 - May 1, 2026

First-Year Modules:

• Module 1: January 12 - February 6, 2026
• Module 2: February 9 - March 6, 2026
• Module 3: March 9 - April 3, 2026
• Module 4: April 6 - May 1, 2026

Summer 2026 Semester: May 11 - August 14, 2026

Other Deadlines

Plan I Deadlines (students completing a thesis or dissertation)

Summer 2025

• Deadline for Application for Degree: June 19, 2025
• Deadline for Final Defense: July 11, 2025

Fall 2025

• Deadline for Application for Degree: September 2, 2025
• Deadline for Final Defense: November 14, 2025

Spring 2026

• Deadline for Application for Degree: January 20, 2026
• Deadline for Final Defense: April 3, 2026

Admission to Candidacy Deadlines

• Summer 2025: May 2, 2025
• Fall 2025: August 22, 2025
• Spring 2026: January 9, 2026