Ph.D. Program

Molecular and Cellular Biology, Ph.D.

Students enrolled in doctoral graduate studies conduct dissertation research under the mentorship of expert faculty in the areas of aging, neuronal development and neuropathogenesis, epigenetics and gene regulation, structural biology, inflammation and immunity, drug resistance, cancer biology, and infectious diseases. During the first semester, students rotate through 2-3 different laboratories before choosing a faculty mentor to supervise their Ph.D. research. All new students are advised by the Biological Sciences-Graduate Education Committee (GEC) and are required to have at least one annual meeting with their Graduate Advisory Committee to review their academic and research progress.

The Molecular and Cellular Biology Ph.D. degree program requires approximately four to five years to complete, including:

  • 60 credit hours
  • Two year full-time residency
  • Passing a qualifying examination at the end of the second year
  • Complete a research program
  • Writing and defending a monograph detailing proposed research
In the PhD program, financial support provides students with a competitive stipend amount of $32,000 per year plus benefits, which includes health care, for a total support package of $42,400 per year. In addition, PhD students do not pay tuition and fees, which are covered by the university.