The interdepartmental Doctor of Philosophy degree program with a major in cell and molecular biology is administered by the College of Natural Science. Students may elect to complete the requirements for a second major, in addition to the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in cell and molecular biology.
The educational objectives of the program are to provide doctoral students with fundamental knowledge and research skills so that they may become independent and self–educating scholars.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Admission
To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program with a major in cell and molecular biology, an applicant must have taken the Graduate Record Examination General Test.
To be admitted to the doctoral program in cell and molecular biology, it is recommended that an applicant have:
- Completed a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with a minimum grade–point average of 3.00.
- A broad background in biology, including courses in biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology.
- Completed at least one year of study in each of the following fields: physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and mathematics through integral calculus.
- A grade of 3.0 or above in each science and mathematics course completed.
- Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test.
Applicants with deficiencies in academic preparation may be admitted provisionally, in which case they will be required to complete collateral courses.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology
The student must:
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| 1. |
Complete all of the following courses (15 credits): |
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BMB |
801 |
Molecular Biology and Protein Structure |
4 |
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BMB |
825 |
Cell Structure and Function |
3 |
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CMB |
800 |
Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar |
3 |
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CMB |
892 |
Research Forum |
4 |
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One graduate course in scientific ethics |
1 |
| 2. |
Complete one of the following courses (3 credits): |
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MMG |
833 |
Microbial Genetics |
3 |
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MMG |
835 |
Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics |
3 |
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Complete a minimum of two additional graduate courses of at least 3 credits each that are related to the student's research. |
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Complete a 10–week research rotation in the laboratory of each of three different members of the cell and molecular biology faculty during the first year of enrollment in the program. |
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Pass the preliminary examination given at the end of the second year of graduate study. |
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Successfully complete a minimum of two semesters as a teaching assistant in a department represented on the cell and molecular biology faculty. The student's teaching assignment must be approved by the director of the doctoral program in cell and molecular biology. |
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For additional information, contact the director of the doctoral program in cell and molecular biology, 153 Giltner Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.