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PHD CMB CB TR - Cell and Molecular Biology: Cancer Biology Track (PhD)

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Program Title

Cell and Molecular Biology: Cancer Biology Track (PhD)

Default Credentials

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

Catalog Full Description

Program Description

The 4-5-year program begins with course work, followed by a combination of course work and laboratory research, and finishes with independent research conducted in the laboratory of one of the faculty. The department is well equipped for biochemical training and research. Each faculty member has generous laboratory space and the specialized equipment necessary for his/her research. In addition, there is an abundance of shared, state-of-the-art, departmental equipment and facilities. Application for pre-doctoral funding is promoted as an essential part of the students' training and development. The program in Cell and Molecular Biology is strongly committed to graduate research and teaching. A particular advantage is that the program faculty are relatively small in size, which promotes close scientific interactions between faculty members and students.

Master basic concepts of cell and molecular biology; incorporate a knowledge base sufficient for the initiation of independent research

Identify a topic of research interest

Search for literature relevant to a topic of interest

Critically evaluate research publications

Organize and integrate information obtained from literature search

Develop informed questions/hypotheses about research topic

Identify long-term research goals relevant to a topic of interest

Identify and prioritize accessible research questions/ hypotheses that further research goals

Master basic laboratory skills

Identify feasible methods to test/explore questions/ hypotheses

Design and implement controlled experiments

Collect and analyze data

Critically evaluate data; use results to refine previous hypotheses

Work as an effective member of a research team

Develop personal responsibility for research

Develop responsibility for directing research/teaching laboratory skills

Record research activity: the lab notebook

Prepare effective data presentations: graphs, tables

Organize an oral presentation of research

Write a logical, clear research paper for publication

Write a persuasive research proposal

Admission Requirements

The program accepts students for fall enrollment.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:

  • Baccalaureate degree in a relevant scientific discipline

  • Transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • A personal statement

All application documents and the application fees must be received by the Office of Enrollment Management by June 1 for fall admission. 

  •  Prospective PhD students who wish to attend the Graduate School Spring Recruitment Day must have applications submitted by January 15.

  • Students wishing to be considered for a graduate stipend for the upcoming fall semester should apply for admission prior to April 1.

Degree Requirements

PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: The Doctor of Philosophy degree is a research degree and is not conferred solely as a result of formal course work, no matter how superior and extensive. To receive the doctoral degree, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of proficiency and distinctive attainment in a special field, and a recognized ability for independent investigation as presented in a dissertation based upon original research.

QUALIFYING EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY - The qualifying examination is given to graduate students in good academic standing upon completion of coursework and must be successfully completed for admission to candidacy for the doctor of philosophy degree.

DISSERTATION - The dissertation must show originality of thought and demonstrate the results of independent investigation. It should contribute to the advancement of knowledge, exhibit mastery of the subject literature, and be written with an acceptable degree of literary skill. The dissertation, written according to prescribed form, is prepared under the direction of the candidate's advisor and must be approved by the candidate's Dissertation Advisory Committee and the dean of the Graduate School. This approval must be obtained and all other requirements completed by the date given in the official academic calendar. Guidelines outlining the prescribed form for a student's written dissertation can be found on the SGSHS website (UMMC login required).

DISSERTATION DEFENSE - The dissertation defense is conducted by the candidate's Advisory Committee and consists of a public presentation and defense of the dissertation.

REQUIRED COURSEWORK - All students must pass ID 709 (Responsible Conduct in Research). In addition, all graduate students must successfully pass ID 714 (Professional Skills).

PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT - Students receiving the PhD degree are required to have the results of their research accepted for publication prior to awarding of the degree. This manuscript must meet the publication requirement, i.e., the student must be listed as the sole first author on at least one publication in a national or international peer-reviewed journal.

PLAN OF STUDY

Year 1 - Fall

CMB 704

Fundamental Biochemistry

6

CMB 740

Cell and Molecular Biology Methods

2

CMB 720

CMB Journal Club (Seminar)

1

9

Year 1 - Spring

CMB 711

Molecular Enzymology

2

*CMB 715

Molecular Biophysics

2

CMB 741

Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology Methods

3

CMB 720

CMB Journal Club (Seminar)

1

ID 709

Responsible Conduct in Research

1

ID 713

Bioinformatics and Genomics

3

12

*Students may enroll in CMB 715 or an elective (e.g. MICRO 733: Experimental Immunochemistry and Immunology).

Year 2 – Summer

CMB 760

CMB Research

1

1

Year 2 - Fall

CMB 720

CMB Journal Club (Seminar)

1

CMB 760

CMB Research

8

9

Year 2 - Spring

CMB 745

Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

6

CMB 720

CMB Journal Club (Seminar)

1

CMB 742

Research Tools in Molecular Biology

3

CMB 760

CMB Research

1

ID 714

Professional Skills

1

11

Year 3 - Summer

CMB 760

CMB Research

1

1

Year 3+ - Fall

CMB 798

Dissertation and Dissertation Research

1

CMB 720

CMB Journal Club (Seminar)

1

2

Year 3+ - Spring

CMB 798

Dissertation and Dissertation Research

1

CMB 720

CMB Journal Club (Seminar)

1

NSCI 710

Tutorials in Neuroscience (Elective)

1

3