The Summary
of Requirements provide a detailed description of
the requirements necessary to receive a M.S. or Ph.D. degree
in Molecular and Cell Biology.
The following links offer a general overview of the program
and requirements:
Master of
Science
Program of Study
The program is designed to guide each student toward realizing
her or his potential as an independent research biologist.
Students are encouraged to become experts in the theory
and practice of their chosen area of research, as well as
to obtain breadth in other areas strongly represented in
the program. Research areas include genetics, molecular
biology, developmental biology, cell biology, structural
biology, immunology, and neurobiology. Graduate courses
are available in all of these areas. A total of six courses
from at least three areas are required for the degree. Each
student will conduct an original investigation and submit
a research thesis to the biology department graduate committee
for review, or complete four nine-week research rotations.
Residence Requirement
The minimum residence requirement is one year.
Doctor
of Philosophy
Program of Study
Students are expected to obtain an in-depth knowledge of
the principles and techniques of three of the areas represented
in the program, i.e., genetics, developmental biology, molecular
biology, neurobiology, immunology, cell biology, and structural
biology. Courses offered by the Program will provide students
with the appropriate background knowledge. Entering students
also participate together in a seminar course, an introduction
to the research literature of biology. Students take two
courses each semester in the first year, with a total of
six required for the degree.
Laboratory Rotations
In the first year, students will complete four nine-week
rotations in at least four different laboratories. Students
are free to choose from among the approximately 50 laboratories
involved in the Life Sciences. This gives the students an
opportunity to sample research in new fields, to learn new
techniques, and to experience the research atmosphere in
a particular laboratory.
Weekly Seminars and Journal Clubs
Throughout the graduate years, students remain involved
in seminar courses, journal clubs, presentations of research,
colloquia, and research courses. The Wednesday Seminar in
the Life Sciences is delivered by an invited speaker from
another institution. There are five journal clubs: Molecular
Genetics, Immunology, Neurobiology; Motility and Structural
Biology. The journal clubs often feature invited speakers
from other institutions. The Friday Seminars are presented
by graduate students (third year and higher) and cover their
thesis research. In addition, the Bauer Colloquium series
allows students to keep abreast of current findings.
Thesis Advisor
Each student will choose a thesis advisor based on their
rotations at the end of the first year. The advisor will
assist the student in planning a well-balanced program in
his/her specific field of interest. In addition, the advisor
will ordinarily serve as the chair of the student's dissertation
examining committee. The thesis advisor may be chosen from
any faculty in the Life Sciences.
Advisors are not restricted to those faculty immediately
associated with the program in Molecular and Cell Biology.
Teaching requirement
At least one year of teaching experience (or equivalent)
is required of all degree candidates.
Residence Requirement
The minimum residence requirement is three years.
Language Requirement
There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D.
degree.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination consists of researching, writing
and defending two propositions in which the student identifies
an important and interesting research problem and then proposes
the experiments to address it. The propositions are defended
in an oral exam. The first proposition, which is taken at
the end of the first year, must be in an area outside the
student's immediate area of thesis research. The second
proposition constitutes a thesis proposal and is defended
at the end of the second year.
Dissertation and Defense
Each student will conduct an original investigation. After
submission of the dissertation, the candidate will be expected
to present the principal results of his or her work and
its significance during an examination in defense of the
dissertation. The examining committee must include one faculty
member from outside the university. A public seminar to
the University community is also required.
Introduction
| Life Sciences at Brandeis
| Faculty and Research |
Why should I apply?
Ph.D. Requirements | Do students receive funding? | How
to apply
MCB Publications | External
Funding | Contact Information
Brandeis
University | Brandeis
Life Sciences
