Academic Requirements

The CMB training program is designed so that the student will focus on a particular area of research while being exposed to a wide variety of topics in cell and molecular biology. The primary requirement for the Ph.D. is the completion of original research and the publication of a Ph.D. thesis describing that research. In addition to the Ph.D. thesis, CMB students complete the following requirements.

Lecture Courses:

• BMB 801: Molecular Biology
• BMB/MMG/PSL 825: Cell Biology
• Either MMG 833: Microbial Genetics or MMG 835: Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics 
• A minimum of 2 800 level elective courses approved by the CMB Executive Committee

Seminar Courses:

• CMB 892: Student Research Forum
• 3 semesters of CMB 800: Special Topic Seminar Courses

Other Requirements

• One semester as a Teaching Assistant
• Completion of the Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Seminar Series
• Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam
• Writing and defense of thesis