The PhD program in Molecular and Cell Biology begins with core courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and quantitative biology. PhD candidates conduct experimental or computational research in a laboratory of their choosing. Research in the department of Biological Sciences is organized into five areas of strength, which are:
- Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Genomics, Systems and Computational Biology
- Microbiology
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Pathobiology (cancer, neurobiology, infectious disease)
Our faculty members are dedicated to teaching, and classroom experiences are balanced with a substantial research program that serves as the platform for our mentor-based teaching methods. For those who choose the thesis option, lab work will expose students to state-of-the-art research techniques used to understand the molecular mechanisms of biological processes such as gene expression, protein structure and function, carcinogenesis, neurodegeneration, bacterial pathogenicity and symbiosis, metabolism and signaling networks.
The department is well-equipped for research in modern molecular and cell biology. Facilities include next generation sequencing platforms, cell imaging systems, protein and small molecule mass spectrometry and cell sorting.