Program of Study

The educational goals of the Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development Track are two-fold:

1. to provide students with a solid foundation in genetics and cellular and molecular biology; and
2. to provide flexibility for students to pursue individual interests.

To achieve these goals, students are expected to complete the following core curriculum in the first year: Molecular Cell Biology, Basic Concepts of Genetics Analysis, and Biochemical and Biophysical Approaches in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Students with a strong background in a core area may place out of the requirement. Students also take a course in the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Finally, students choose elective courses from the dozens that are offered by the BBS Program. Students commonly take five or six courses within the first three semesters of graduate study.

The ideal applicants to MCGD are those who are keenly interested in learning how to study life science questions from a molecular, cellular, genetics, and/or developmental biological perspective.