Molecular and Cell Biology (MOCB)

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Abstract

The Molecular and Cell Biology Program (MOCB) offers study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The training emphasizes research in the broad areas of cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, and related disciplines. More than 75 faculty members are affiliated with MOCB. The program is multidisciplinary and interdepartmental, supported by faculty from six departments in the Colleges of Life Sciences and Agriculture & Natural Resources at the University of Maryland; from two units in the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; and from several institutes at the National Institutes of Health.

The Program's faculty members have a broad spectrum of expertise and represent some of the most outstanding investigators on campus. MOCB provides training opportunities in a wide variety of areas. These include molecular genetics, cell biology, regulation of gene expression, developmental biology, evolutionary-developmental biology, oncology, molecular virology, immunology, biochemistry, plant biology, signal transduction, host-parasite interactions, membrane transport & channels, protein/enzyme structure and function, and neurobiology. . For additional information about the faculty consult the program's website, http://www.life.umd.edu/grad/mocb/.

Admissions Information

Admission to the Program is competitive. Candidates must satisfy the Graduate School requirements and submit the following: (1) copies of diplomas of previous degree(s); (2) transcripts of previous college work; (3) statement of purpose and professional objectives; (4) three letters of recommendation from persons competent to judge the applicant's abilities and aptitude for graduate work; (5) scores of the Graduate Record Examination General Test; and (6) for international students, a score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To be considered for a Teaching Assistanship international must submit the score of the Test of Spoken English (TSE), or they must produce verifiable evidence that their science courses were given in English. The Admissions Committee may require the student to take remedial courses if he or she enters with inadequate prerequisites or deficiencies in a previous program of study.

Application Deadlines

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by January 12 (January 1 preferred) .	This program does not accept applications for this semester.
International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT:   International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

1. GRE General (Subject test is suggested)
2. Degrees
3. Transcripts
4. Statement of Purpose
5. Letters of Recommendation

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The core requirements of the Program consist of four lecture courses in molecular and cell biology and biochemistry and two one-semester rotations in the laboratories of participating faculty. Two credits of student seminar also will be required, and attendance at the weekly MOCB seminar during the first year of study. Satisfactory performance in the core requirements is mandatory for continued matriculation in the Program. Beyond the first year, the student must take three semesters of advanced, second level courses in specialty areas and topical subjects tailored to the development and needs of individual students. A doctoral candidate must complete at least 30 hours of graduate academic credits with a minimum of 12 semester hours of MOCB 899 to be eligible for a Ph.D. At least 24 of the credit hours must be at the 600-level or above. No transfer credits from another institution are acceptable.

Incoming students are advised for their initial course work by the First Year Advisory Committee. In most cases, the core requirements will serve as the full course load that a student would undertake in his or her first year of study. Any remedial or pre-requisite type of courses to overcome previous weaknesses or deficiencies must also be completed in the first year of study or the summer session immediately following it. The removal of such deficiencies may delay the completion of core requirements within the first year of study. Under exceptional circumstances, one or more of the core courses may be waived by the Director/Co-Director upon the recommendation of the Chair of the First Year Advisory Committee. This will depend on the previous training and background of the student. The student may then be asked to register in the second level courses concurrently.

After completion of the core requirements, the student must choose an advisor for his or her dissertation research. The research advisor and the student will then submit for approval by the Director/Co-Director the names of five faculty members within the Program who will serve as the Advisory Committee. At least four members of the Advisory Committee should be faculty from MOCB, and no more than two members of the Advisory Committee may be from the same department, the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, or the NIH. The research advisor will serve as the chair of this committee. From here on, it will be the responsibility of the Advisory Committee to guide the student through the remainder of his or her graduate work.

A qualifying examination must be completed satisfactorily before a student is admitted to candidacy. The examination should be attempted by the end of the student's fourth semester in the Program. The ability to do independent research must be demonstrated as well by an original dissertation which must be successfully defended by an examining committee in order for the student to fulfill the degree requirements. Students are required to present a public seminar during the semester in which they intend to hold the defense.

Facilities and Special Resources

State of the art facilities are available to students to conduct research in all aspects of cell and molecular biology including cell and organism culturing, protein and nucleic acid analyses, peptide sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis and sequencing, fluorescence, confocal microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, computer graphics for molecular modeling, NMR, mass-spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.

Financial Assistance

The Program offers teaching assistantships and research assistantships to admitted students on a competitive basis. Additionally, the Program will recommend outstanding applicants to the Graduate School for its fellowships. Most students are supported by a teaching assistantship for one semester in the first year and by research assistantships for the other semester and the summer of the first year.

Contact Information

For specific information on the Program, admission procedures, financial support, and other details, contact:

Mrs. Sarah Biancardi, Graduate Secretary, MOCB Program
1125 Microbiology Building
University of Maryland, College Park,
MD  20742
Telephone: (301) 405-6991
Fax: (301) 314-9921
mocbgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.life.umd.edu/grad/mocb/

Courses: MOCB

Related Programs and Campus Units

Biology
Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics