The requirements outlined below apply to students pursuing a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology with an area of concentration (AOC) in Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB AOC) with enrollment beginning in the fall of 2024 or later. Students who matriculated prior to fall of 2024 are encouraged to follow these curriculum guidelines, but with the consent of their advisory committee, can follow the PhD requirements for the CDB AOC in effect at the beginning of their enrollment in the program ( Information for students who matriculated prior to fall 2024).
General requirements for MCB PhD students (all AOCs):
- Organize your advisory committee and submit your Plan of Study by the end of the spring semester of your first year. Your advisory committee will ultimately consist of 5 faculty members (advisor and 4 additional faculty members), but for approval of the Plan of Study and Second-Year Review (next), only 3 committee members are required.
- Complete the Second-Year Review by the end of the Spring Semester of your second year. Second-Year Review Guidelines can be found on the MCB PhD Milestones and Procedures page
- Take your General Exam (also known as dissertation proposal, qualifying exam/thesis proposal) by the end of August of your third year. Information can be found on the General Exam Requirement document.
- Before submitting your final dissertation you must have:
a. Successfully passed the General Exam for PhD candidacy and filed the Report on the General Examination for the Doctoral Degree
b. Taken at least 15 course credits: Defined as subject matter coursework in MCB or a closely related field of study, as discussed with and approved by the major advisor and committee. No class may be repeated to satisfy this requirement.
c. Taken at least 30 research credits: A minimum 15 credits of MCB research (MCB 6897) and a minimum of 15 credits of GRAD 6950. These courses may be repeated to satisfy this requirement and to keep in good standing (you must register for a minimum of 6 credits each semester; MCB 6897 and GRAD 6950 may be used for this purpose).
Information about the PhD milestones can be found on the MCB Milestones and Procedure page.
Graduate School requirements for graduation can be found in the current graduate catalog
Course requirements and timeline:
Note: To maximize curricular flexibility and accommodate the diverse interests of PhD students in the CDB AOC, specific subject matter courses are not required. PhD students are free to choose relevant coursework from among all MCB course offerings. In addition, relevant coursework offered by other departments can also count toward degree requirements. All coursework should be chosen in consultation with your advisor and committee.
The specific courses listed below are required for all MCB PhD students.
1st semester (Fall), you must register for:
MCB 6001 Introduction to MCB Research (3 credits)
MCB 6002 Investigation of Special Topics: Intro to MCB Faculty Research
MCB 6000 Rotations in MCB (3 credits)
MCB 5884-001 MCB Research in Progress (1 credit)
2nd semester (Spring), you must register for:
MCB 5801 Scientific Writing and Project Development for MCB Graduate Students
GRAD 5910 Responsible Conduct in Research
MCB 6897 Research, 3 credits (this can be taken with your newly chosen faculty advisor or with the advisor overseeing an optional fourth rotation during some or all of the semester)
One subject matter course of your choosing
3rd semester
One or two subject-matter courses of your choosing (in consultation with your advisor and committee)
MCB 6897 Research
From the 4th semester onward:
MCB 5984 (MCB Seminar Series) at least once
MCB 6897 or GRAD 6950 (see requirements above)
Additional subject matter courses of your choosing
Updated 12/28/2024