Genetic, cellular and developmental biology academic program

Our PhD program of study combines formal coursework with seminars and dissertation in the lab research to develop a creative and critical intellectual approach to research and to model both interactive teamwork and independent scholarship. (Online course catalog; graduate course numbers: 7000s - 9000s)

Our formal curriculum balances breadth and depth with courses taught from the primary literature by faculty at the cutting edge of their discipline. Within their first two years, all students complete a core curriculum exploring the basic foundations and latest developments in cell, molecular and developmental graduate student biology. Formal courses include: Molecular Biology I and II, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Advanced Cell Biology and an advanced course in Developmental Biology. The remainder of each student's curriculum is individually tailored to meet that student's goals, either drawing entirely upon expertise present in the Division or taking advantage of faculty and related programs in the School of Medicine and the Colleges of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine.

We expect that most students entering our cell, molecular, and developmental biology graduate program will have a broad background in biology and will have completed courses in mathematics through integral calculus, chemistry through organic chemistry, and physics. Outstanding students with undergraduate degrees in areas other than biology (e.g., chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, etc.) are encouraged to apply with the understanding that subject matter deficiencies in biology will be addressed in the first year of graduate study.