Program Description
The Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology (BMCB) graduate program offers students opportunities to pursue advanced studies and research in the biological sciences with the goal of earning a Ph.D. Students in the BMCB graduate program follow one of three tracks, distinguished by the core curriculum. Our program includes over 50 laboratories that sponsor dissertation research studies. The BMCB program trains students for careers as professional scientists.
General Graduate Program Degree Requirements
All graduate students, regardless of program, must fullfill the following requirements
Dissertation units do not count toward the minimum 36 units of coursework in the major or 9 units in the minor.
At least half of the units need to be graded
Minor
The Graduate College requires that a student complete a formal minor course of study. The minor is to reflect a student’s research interest. The specific coursework is determined by the department of the minor. It is acceptable to minor in the same program that you major in.
For elaboration of these rules see:
http://grad.arizona.edu/academics/degree-certification/dpos
Program Requirements
First Year
- Complete Core curriculum:
- Biochemistry (BIOC) Track: Nucleic Acids, and Proteins and Enzymes and any one of the following: Biological Structure, Computational Biophysics, or Functional and Evolutionary Genomics.
- Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) Track: Cell Systems, Genetics & Molecular Networks, and Systems Biology.
- NOTE: Students who choose the BIOC track must complete a course in physical chemistry with a grade of C or better. If you have not met this requirement and have selected the BIOC track, you are required to complete a physical chemistry course at The University of Arizona during your first semester in the program.
- Complete Current Topics in BMCB course.
- Attend weekly seminar and journal club each semester.
- Present at journal club.
- Complete three 8-week laboratory rotations during your first year. Upon completion of these rotations, you will select a laboratory for your dissertation studies.
- By the end of the spring semester, schedule an initial committee meeting to formulate plan of elective study.
Second Year
- Complete elective and/or minor coursework (the Graduate College requires 9 minor units for all students).
- One semester of teaching assistantship.
- Preliminary exams: General knowledge (fall), research proposal and oral exam (spring).
- Attend weekly seminar and journal club each semester.
- Present at journal club
- Complete Science, Society & Ethics course this year or prior to graduation.
Third Year and Beyond
- One additional semester of teaching (before the end of the fourth year).
- Committee meetings (at least one meeting each year).
- Attend weekly seminar and journal club each semester.
- Present one journal club or seminar on your research every year.