Program Contact: Alexandre de Lencastre 203-582-5024
The College of Arts & Sciences offers a Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology program for both part-time and full-time students. Through the graduate program, the mission of the Department of Biological Sciences is to prepare students for employment in research fields available in pharmaceutical companies, universities and hospitals as well as to provide an excellent foundation for students intending to pursue studies in professional healthcare fields and doctoral programs. To achieve this goal, the program provides the students with highly specialized lecture and laboratory courses relevant in this rapidly growing field.
The 34 credits required for the Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology include five courses (20 credits) in the science core, elective courses chosen in consultation with the program director and a thesis or non-thesis option (the non-thesis option requires the successful completion of a comprehensive examination; the thesis option requires 2 additional credits, for a total of 36 credits). Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 to remain in the MCB program. A minimum grade of C is required in all graduate courses.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| BIO 515 | Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
| BIO 568 | Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 571 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 605 | DNA Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 606 | Protein Methods Laboratory | 4 |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Option | ||
| Select one of the options | 14-16 | |
| Total Credits | 34-36 | |
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 20 | |
| BIO 649 | Independent Research | 2 |
| BIO 650 | Thesis I in Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 651 | Thesis II in Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| Graduate electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 20 | |
| BIO 675 | Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology | 2 |
| Graduate electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
Graduate Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 500 | Special Topics in Molecular and Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 505 | Writing and Science | 3 |
| BIO 517 | Advanced Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIO 521 | Stem Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIO 540 | Cell Signaling | 3 |
| BIO 550 | Graduate Journal Club - Molecular Cell Biology | 1 |
| BIO 562 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BIO 589 | Molecular and Cell Neurobiology | 3 |
| BIO 649 | Independent Research | 2 |
| BIO 650 | Thesis I in Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 651 | Thesis II in Molecular and Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 675 | Comp Exam in Molecular and Cell Biology | 2 |
| BIO 688 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| BIO 689 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| BMS 510 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BMS 517 | Human Embryology | 3 |
| BMS 518 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| BMS 522 | Immunology | 3 |
| BMS 526 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| BMS 527 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| BMS 532 | Histology and Lab | 4 |
| BMS 564 | Fundamentals of Oncology | 4 |
| BMS 565 | Leukemia | 3 |
| BMS 569 | Antimicrobial Therapy | 3 |
| BMS 570 | Virology | 4 |
| BMS 572 | Pathogenic Microbiology (with lab) | 4 |
| BMS 573 | Mycology | 3 |
| BMS 576 | Drug Discovery and Development | 3 |
| BMS 578 | Cellular Basis of Neurobiological Disorders | 3 |
| BMS 579 | Molecular Pathology | 3 |
| BMS 583 | Forensic Pathology | 3 |
| BMS 595 | Transplantation Immunology | 3 |
| BMS 599 | Biomarkers | 3 |
| PA 515 | Human Physiology | 4 |
MS Thesis
The MS thesis option involves original laboratory research performed under the guidance of a thesis mentor, a thesis committee and the director of the molecular and cell biology program. The thesis option requires the successful completion of 3 courses: BIO 649, BIO 650 and BIO 651. Students must have a GPA >3.50 to be eligible for the thesis track and pre-approval by program director. The thesis committee evaluates a student’s progress by approving the research project, assessing student progress and advising the student whenever the need arises.
Comprehensive Examination
The written comprehensive exam (BIO 675) is a requirement of the non-thesis option for the MS in Molecular and Cell Biology. Students must demonstrate both breadth and depth of knowledge by illustrating a command of the subject matter obtained from individual courses into unified concepts, which link the student’s own specialization to other fields of study. Completion of a minimum of four of the five core curriculum courses is required to register for the comprehensive examination. A minimum grade of a B- is required to pass the comprehensive examination. Students must meet with the program director before registering for the comprehensive exam.
Upon completion of a Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Foundational Knowledge: Understand fundamental concepts in molecular genetics, cell biology and biochemistry and apply their knowledge to new findings in the field of molecular and cell biology.
- Application and Analysis: Employ modern laboratory techniques used in DNA and protein research and interpret experimental data.
- Scientific Knowledge: Analyze, synthesize and discuss primary scientific literature from peer-reviewed journals in the field.
- Communication Excellence: Present scientific content to an audience in a professional manner.
- Advanced Knowledge: Write scientific critiques and/or reviews in a manner consistent with the standards of professional scientific writing.
Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in a biological, medical or scientific field are eligible for admission to the Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology program. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions and are accepted for fall or spring enrollment. A complete application consists of the following:
- application form and fee
- a letter of intent including how this program aligns with the applicant's academic and career interests as well as any personal, professional and educational achievements relevant to the application
- two letters of recommendation (at least one letter should be from a science faculty member)
- official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is preferred and undergraduate coursework in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, organic chemistry and/or genetics is highly recommended. Although Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required, the scores can provide another indication of a student’s academic readiness. Applicants should refer to the Graduate Admission Requirements found in this catalog.