About Our Ph.D. Programs
Ohio University offers interdisciplinary graduate study in Molecular & Cellular Biology. The departments of Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, and Environmental & Plant Biology contribute dynamic faculty and access to world-class research facilities to provide students with the broadest scientific educational opportunities.
The program offers the Ph.D. in a broad range of areas in molecular and cellular biology catered to student and faculty interests. MCB graduate students are eligible to earn a graduate certificate in Bioinformatics during their study at Ohio University. A core curriculum has been developed with course offerings in MCB, Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Plant Biology, and Computer Science.
Program Mission
The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology is committed to provide students with one on one faculty mentoring and cutting-edge scientific, educational, and research opportunities in molecular and cellular biology. Our graduates will be leaders in interdisciplinary approaches to solving key problems in molecular and cellular biology.
Program Learning Objectives
- Graduates will understand professional standards of scientific inquiry and responsible conduct that are essential for the pursuit of new knowledge.
- Graduates will demonstrate a depth of knowledge within their chosen area of study and a breadth of knowledge across the field of molecular and cellular biology.
- Graduates will be able to write a competitive research proposal.
- Graduates will understand the elements of good experimental design and will be competent independent and team researchers.
- Graduates will understand statistical analysis of data and be able to make sound conclusions from such analyses. Graduates will be familiar with the growing field of bioinformatics.
- Graduates will be accomplished communicators of scientific knowledge in both written and oral forms to both scientific and lay audiences.
Ph.D. Concentrations
Choose between our three Molecular & Cellular Biology Ph.D. options:
Biological Sciences Concentration
The Biological Sciences Ph.D. degree program includes a Cell, Developmental and Microbiology concentration.
The mission of the Cell, Developmental and Microbiology program is to educate and train graduate students through coursework and laboratory research in the subjects of biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, and developmental biology. Faculty mentors are from the departments of Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences.
Biological Sciences Concentration Ph.D.
Chemistry & Biochemistry Concentration
Our Chemistry and Biochemistry MCB graduate program offers courses in such fields as biochemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, cellular biology, plant biology, genetics and microbiology.
In addition to completing their coursework, MCB students are strongly encouraged to participate in laboratory rotations during their first year of graduate study.
Plant Biology Concentration
The Molecular and Cellular Biology program offers graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies in molecular and cellular biology.
Our Ph.D. study and research are guided by a doctoral advisory committee. A great deal of the responsibility for determining the program of study is left to the committee. In addition to a core MCB curriculum, additional courses in Plant Biology are required.
Curriculum
90 credit hours are required for graduation, with no grade below a C. Each concentration also has field-specific requirements.
Students must successfully complete a research dissertation, with the intent of submitting multiple publications to peer-reviewed journals, and successfully defend the dissertation orally.
Core Coursework
All students in the MCB doctoral program should complete the following courses (24 hours):
- PBIO 5170 - Biological Research and Science Ethics
- PBIO 5180 - Writing in the Life Sciences
- CHEM 5901 - Biochemistry I
- CHEM 5902 - Biochemistry II
- MCB 7200 - Molecular Biology
- MCB 7600 - Advanced Cell Biology
Complete at least one of the following three courses:
- MCB 5160 - Problem Solving with Bioinformatics Tools
- MCB 5280 - Laboratory in Genomics Techniques
- MCB 7300 - Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Costs and Financial Aid
When you choose OHIO, you’re getting the competitive tuition rates of a state university, but with the personalized attention and support you might expect from a private school. In fact, we've been named the best value among Ohio’s public universities for several years in a row by U.S. News & World Report .
Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency and program.