Overview

Within the MCB Program there are five degree-granting departments or programs:

• Biochemistry/Cell Biology
• Biological Sciences
• Microbiology & Immunology
• Molecular and Systems Biology
• Cancer Biology

Students in these five departments/center are bound by the MCB Program Rules and Regulations.

• Three research rotations in the first year
• Three-term core course (Fall, Winter, Spring of the first year)
• One term of a teaching assistantship
• An ethics course
• A qualifying exam consisting of a written proposal and oral defense
• Three advanced courses from the approved course list
• Attendance at and participation in journal club meetings and Research in Progress (RIP) seminars
• Attendance at program functions
• Preparation, presentation, and submission of thesis (seminar and defense)

Upon satisfactory completion of the qualifying exam, a student will be advanced to Ph.D. candidacy. Students may be advanced to the Ph.D. candidacy before completion of the three advanced courses.

MCB Program:

• Janet Cheney, Program Administrator
• Kelly Salmon, Assistant Program Director
• Erik Griffin, Chair

Biochemistry/Cell Biology – Emily Clough  (Charles Barlowe, Chair)

Biological Sciences – Sherry Finnemore (Tom Jack, Chair)

Cancer Biology – Alicea Bursey  (Steven Leach, Chair)

Microbiology & Immunology – Karen Thompson (David Leib, Chair)

Molecular and Systems Biology – Amy Potter (Marnie Halpern, Chair)

All MCB students and faculty will abide by the official MCB Rules and Regulations 2022