These are team taught by two or more faculty members and are designed to provide advanced instruction in the areas of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, eukaryotic molecular biology, and developmental biology, including the methods and logic of contemporary research in these areas. Critical analysis and discussion of research papers from the original literature is heavily emphasized. Instructional Training For the Ph.D. degree, two semesters of teaching in undergraduate courses are required, generally during the first year. These courses include Biology of the Cancer Cell, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Introduction to MCD Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Immunology, and others. In addition to the 28 major research labs in MCDB, students may also choose from 12 labs in the Division of Biochemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Projects begun during laboratory rotations often develop into doctoral thesis projects.
Final decisions regarding choice of research adviser and thesis topic are usually made during May of the first year. At the end of the first-year, students must pass a written preliminary examination that covers general knowledge. At the end of the second year, each student is required to take a comprehensive oral examination administered by a committee of MCDB faculty, in which the student defends a written research proposal of her or his thesis topic, prepared in the format of a grant application. The deadline for application is January 1, and study begins in the fall semester only. Applications are welcomed from students with ambition, enthusiasm, and outstanding undergraduate records in the fields of biology, biochemistry, and physical sciences who are seeking a challenging graduate level program to prepare for careers in research, teaching, or public service.