Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology

The Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology begins with core courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and quantitative biology. Students may have the opportunity to conduct experimental or computational research in a laboratory of their choosing and to write a research dissertation. Research in the Department of Biological Sciences is organized into five areas of strength, which are:

• Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Genomics, Systems and Computational Biology
• Microbiology
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Pathobiology (cancer, neurobiology, infectious disease)

Our faculty members are dedicated to teaching, and classroom experiences are balanced with a substantial research program that serves as the platform for our mentor-based teaching methods. For those who choose the thesis option, lab work will expose students to state-of-the-art research techniques used to understand the molecular mechanisms of biological processes such as gene expression, protein structure and function, carcinogenesis, neurodegeneration, bacterial pathogenicity and symbiosis, metabolism and signaling networks.

The department is well equipped for research in modern molecular and cell biology. Facilities include next-generation sequencing platforms, cell imaging systems, protein, and small molecule mass spectrometry, and cell sorting.

Degree Objectives

All students seeking the Master of Science degree in Molecular and Cell Biology must satisfactorily complete a total of at least 36 graduate semester credit hours, which must include the following core courses:

Core Courses

• BIOL 5410 Biochemistry
• BIOL 5420 Molecular Biology
• BIOL 5460 Quantitative Biology
• BIOL 5440 Cell Biology

MS students intending to submit a thesis must, in addition to the core courses specified above, satisfactorily complete a further 20 semester credit hours of Biology courses which includes BIOL 6193 Colloquium in Molecular and Cell Biology, BIOL 8V01 Research in Molecular and Cell Biology, BIOL 6V98 Thesis, and a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of general electives for which a letter grade is assigned. The remainder of the semester credit hours usually reflects experimental research but may also be based on literature research as determined by mutual agreement of the student and Supervising Committee. For MS (thesis) students, the maximum number of Pass/Fail credits allowed within the 36 semester credit hour minimum is 13 semester credit hours.

MS (non-thesis) students must, in addition to the core courses specified, satisfactorily complete a minimum of four general elective courses in Biology (for which a letter grade is assigned) for a minimum of 9 semester credit hours, up to 11 semester credit hours of special electives, and/or, with approval of the graduate advisor, other graduate courses. For non-thesis MS students, the maximum number of Pass/Fail credits allowed within the 36 semester credit hour minimum is 11 semester credit hours.

Graduates of the program seek positions such as: research scientist, teacher, research technician, and various positions in the health sciences.