Requirements

The formal requirements for the Ph.D. in the Cell Biology program are successful completion of the first-year course requirements of 5 courses for a grade, Honors in 2 courses and grade average of High Pass in the remaining 3 courses, a grade of “Pass” for the Qualifying Exam, an approved Prospectus, Admission into Candidacy, two teaching appointments (two semesters), First-author publication submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, thesis defense and the completion of the Dissertation Submission Checklist as outlined in the handbook. Students are required to take at least 5 graduate-level (research relevant) courses for a grade. No specific curriculum of courses is required, but CBIO 6020a (Molecular Cell Biology) is recommended for all students to attain a solid foundation in molecular cell biology. Also recommended is a seminar course, such as CBIO 6030a (Seminar in Molecular Cell Biology) or CBIO 6060b (Advanced Topics in Cell Biology), in which students can develop the skill for critical analysis of research papers. Students design their own curriculum of courses to meet individual interests and needs in consultation with the DGS. BQBS students who did not take CBIO 6020a in the first year are strongly encouraged at least to audit this course in the 2nd year.

Similarly, MD/PhD students are required to take at least 5 graduate-level courses for a grade. Several courses, including CBIO 5501/5502 (Molecules to Systems), CBIO 6600/6601 (Science at the Frontiers of Medicine) or MB&B 8000 (Advanced Topics in Molecular Medicine) from the medical curriculum, each count as one graduate-level course. CBIO 6020a (Molecular Cell Biology) and either CBIO 6030a (Seminar in Molecular Cell Biology) or CBIO 6060b (Advanced Topics in Cell Biology) are strongly recommended. As with PhD students, courses should be selected in consultation with the DGS to meet the individual needs and interest of the student.

M.Phil. Requirements for the M.Phil. degree are the same as for admission to candidacy (see above).

M.S. See Graduate School requirements; this degree is normally granted only to students who are withdrawing from the Ph.D. program.

Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Cell Biology are to apply to the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Graduate Program, through the Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development (MCGD) track. For questions about our program please email Dr. Thomas Melia , the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Cell Biology and Lisa Crotty the department Registrar.

This handbook is intended to be a source of information for graduate students studying for the Ph.D. degree in the Department of Cell Biology at Yale.

Students as well as faculty should be able to find answers to questions that may occur to them from time to time about the Cell Biology Ph.D. program and its specific policies.

For information please contact Lisa Crotty at lisa.crotty@yale.edu.