Master of Science Molecular Biology

Students of the molecular life sciences seek to reduce complex biological processes to a set of an understandable molecular or chemical structure and function relationships. Integration of this knowledge into the context of complex living tissues interacting with the environment is the ultimate goal. This requires that the expertise from many diverse traditional disciplines be directed along converging experimental lines. The Ph.D. program in molecular biology is designed to facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to graduate research, utilizing both traditional techniques and the latest advances in biotechnology, including the extraordinary power of recombinant DNA methodology. Participants in this program will take core courses in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Subsequent course work will be tailored for the individual student, depending upon his or her research emphasis. Participation in regular seminar programs will be expected to provide students with the widest possible scientific background. Financial aid, in the form of a limited number of MB teaching and research assistantships, is available on a competitive basis. Research Assistantships may also be available from individual faculty within the Molecular Biology (MB) program. Only the most competitive students are admitted with assistantship support.

The MB program offers curricula leading to the MS and Ph.D. degrees in the areas of biochemistry, molecular genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics, and microbiology. Admission to the MB Program without deficiency is based on an undergraduate program essentially equivalent to that pursued by an undergraduate major in chemistry, biology, agronomy, horticulture, biochemistry, or microbiology at this university. An entering student is required to complete the Graduate Record Examination (General Aptitude). Undergraduate deficiency courses must be passed with a minimum grade of B.

National Cancer Institute / unsplash

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact at least three individual program faculty before applying to identify a prospective advisor and laboratory in which to pursue graduate research. Previous course records and GPA standings (typically minimum of 3.3/4.0), GRE scores (typically minimum of 300 combined verbal and quantitative), TOEFL scores of foreign applicants (typically minimum of 550 on the paper-based or 213 on the computer-based), a letter of interest from the applicant that identified faculty laboratories of interest, and three letters of reference regarding research performance or potential are weighted heavily during the selection process.

Students with a BS degree in one of the disciplines listed above can expect to earn the MS degree in about 30 credits, including at least 6 credits of thesis research. The Ph.D. degree can be earned in about 30 to 40 credits of formal course work, plus additional thesis research credits, for a minimum total of 75 credits beyond the BS Because research is central in both the MS and Ph.D. curricula, early selection of a research advisor is required. Ph.D. degree candidates will successfully complete a written and oral qualifying examination based on their proposed research and the subject matter in the core courses (below) at the end of the first year of study. Also at this time, the master’s or doctoral committee is organized to assist in planning a program appropriate to the background and goals of the student. Ph.D. candidates will subsequently complete a comprehensive written examination and oral examination approximately at the end of the second year of study. A final, formal presentation and oral defense of the original research documented in the MS or Ph.D. thesis completes the degree requirements.

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences also offers Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Molecular Biology.

Each undergraduate deficiency course, and each core course, must be passed with a minimum grade of B. An overall grade point average of 3.0 minimum must be maintained. Ph.D. candidates entering the program with a master's degree in a related field can expect to earn a degree with a minimum of 26 credits in course work as outlined below, plus a minimum of 18 credits of dissertation research, for a total minimum of 44 credits; additional course work may be required as determined by the student's committee.

General Resources

Internet Molecular Biology Resources

General Internet Biology Resources

• Biology Online
• Biosciences Virtual Library
• The Bio-Web
• Cell & Molecular Biology Online
• ExPASy
• National Institutes of Health
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)

Search Engine & Links

• BioTech Find
• Links2Go: Biology

Biological Databases

• Genamics’ GenomeSeek
• SeqAnalRef — a bibliography on sequence analysis
• REBASE, the restriction enzyme database
• BIOSCI
• BIOSCI/bionet – Electronic News

Biological Software Directories

• BioCatalog of molecular biology/genetics software
• Genamics’ SoftwareSeek

Jobs

• Job Resource (Powered by After College)

First Semester

• initiate formal course work
• attend Molecular Biology brown bag discussion meetings (MOLB 590) on Wednesdays at noon -starting spring 2019
• rotate through several laboratories of professors for research orientation (MOLB 597; labs are your choice after consultation with the MBP Director and/or major advisor) and submit the form upon completion.
• choose a faculty major advisor (if not already identified)

Second Semester

• continue course work and brown bag discussions
• initiate independent research with the guidance of the major advisor
• submit a draft(s) of written thesis proposal to major advisor; revise as needed
• with your major advisor, form a master's committee
• meet with the committee to discuss thesis proposal; file committee report with MOLB-ILS secretary

First Summer

• following completion of core courses, file the "Application for Admission to Candidacy for Master's Degree" form with committee approval
• carry on independent research work full time

Third Semester

• continue course work
• present first MOLB 590 seminar
• continue independent research work
• obtain committee approval of thesis proposal

Fourth Semester

• complete formal course work
• present second MOLB 590 seminar
• complete research and start writing thesis
• meet with committee

Second Summer (or Last Semester)

• file "Application for Diploma"
• complete writing of the thesis and any last-minute experiments
• present 30- to 45-minute public seminar as part of thesis defense
• defend thesis in Final Exam; paperwork due in Graduate School 10 working days in advance