Graduate

Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology

Ph.D. Program Requirements

student using microscope

Total Minimum Program Hours: 90 credit hours

  • Core Requirements – 4 Credit hours
    • PCB 6920 Advances in Cell and Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 1 (Fall offering)
    • PCB 6956 Scientific Grant Writing Credit Hours: 3 (Spring offering)
      • Students admitted in Spring will take this course in the Spring of their 2nd year. 
  • Additional Required courses – 7 Credit hours Minimum
    • BSC 6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology Credit Hours: 1 (1 credit for this program, taken four times for a total of 4 credits)
    • PCB 6525 Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3
      • May be substituted for another suitable course upon approval by the Graduate Director and student committee chairperson.
  • Electives – 3 Credit hours
    • Graduate class approved by the MBS Graduate Director and student committee chairperson
  • Directed Research – 43 Credit hours
    • BSC 7910-  Research credits prior to successful completion of written and oral examination
  • Dissertation – 32 Credit hours
    • BSC 7980-  Research credits following successful completion of written and oral examination
  • Seminar – 1 Credit hour
    • Preliminary Doctoral Examinations – successful completion
      • Written portion (in the format of a grant proposal)
      • Oral portion
  • Submission and approval of Dissertation Proposal
  • Seminar Presentation of Research in BSC6930 upon advancement to candidacy
  • Presentation Requirement (2 presentations at national/regional professional meetings)
  • Publication Requirement (one 1st author research paper submitted for publication to refereed scientific journal by date of the Doctoral Seminar/Defense)
  • Submission of acceptable dissertation
  • Presentation of the doctoral seminar (BSC7936) and successful defense

MBS GRADUATE PROGRAM TIME LINES

PhD Program

Projected tracking through program in 5 years*

*Based on successful completion of written and oral qualifying exams in the time specified, good academic standing and continuation of research during summer sessions

  • Semester 1 (Fall)
    • BSC7910 Directed Research or Laboratory Rotations if required
    • PCB6920 Advances in Cellular & Molecular Biology
    • PCB 6525 Molecular Genetics or Other Approved Class
    • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (1)
    • Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
    • Establish PhD Laboratory and Major Advisor
  • Summer 1                 
    • BSC7910 Directed Research
    • Circulate Aims to Committee for Approval – MUST BE COMPLETE BY May 31st
    • Begin Work on Written Qualifying Exam
  •  Semester 2 (Spring)     
    • BSC7910 Directed Research
    • BSC6956 Scientific Grant Writing (develop aims of written exam)
      • Students admitted in Spring will take this course in the Spring of their 2nd year.
    • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (2)
    • Form Dissertation Committee (file paperwork)
  •  Semester 3 (Fall)     
    • BSC7910 Directed Research
    • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (3)
    • 2nd Structured Course
    • Submit Written Qualifier by 9am on 1st day of fall classes
    • Hold Annual Committee Meeting
    • Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
  • Semester 4 (Spring)
    • BSC7910 Directed Research
    • BSC6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (4)
    • Begin work on Dissertation proposal
  • Summer 2   
    • BSC7910 Directed Research
    • Continue work on Dissertation Proposal
  • Semester 5 (Fall) 
    • BSC7910 Directed Research
    • Submit Dissertation Proposal
    • Complete Oral Qualifier by October 15th (Advance to Candidacy, file paperwork)
    • Hold Annual Committee Meeting
    • Submit Annual Progress Report by December 15th
  • Semester 6               
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
    • Give Research Seminar in BSC6930
  • Summer 3                     
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
  • Semester 7                   
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
    • Annual Progress Report by December 15th
    • Hold Annual Committee Meeting
  • Semester 8                   
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
  • Summer 4                     
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
  • Semester 9                   
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
    • Annual Progress Report by December 15th                      
    • Hold Annual Committee Meeting
  • Semester 10                 
    • BSC7980 Doctoral Dissertation
    • BSC7936 PhD Seminar
    • Defend thesis and graduate