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Program
Information
INTRODUCTION
The ability to analyze and alter gene expression has become a central focus
of a great deal of biological research. Scientists within many different
disciplines are increasingly employing molecular biological approaches
to gain new understandings of fundamental processes. Therefore, it is appropriate
that the training of graduate students in Molecular & Cellular Biology reflect the
interdisciplinary nature of research in this area. The Interdisciplinary
Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology at The University of Iowa provides
for broad training in molecular & cellular biology. The university-wide nature of
this program permits training and research opportunities in the laboratories
of the faculty members who participate in the program. Currently the program
faculty represent the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry,
Biological Sciences, Internal Medicine, Microbiology, Ophthalmology, Pathology,
Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics and Radiology.
A crucial aspect of the Ph.D. degree is
the opportunity to participate in stimulating research. The
diversity of research interests within the program permits
students to identify areas which match their special interests.
Students entering the program are encouraged to begin their
research as soon as possible. Excellent facilities are available
to support the research activities of the program. In addition
to modern laboratory space, there are specialized core research
facilities which contain commonly used equipment such as an
oligonucleotide synthesizer and an automated apparatus for
DNA sequence analysis. Virtually all of the equipment used
in modern molecular biological research is available within
the laboratories and departments of the participating faculty.
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ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program is sufficiently flexible
to accommodate students with a relatively wide range of backgrounds.
Students who will complete
undergraduate degrees in the biological, biochemical, or physical sciences
are urged to apply. It is expected that entering students will have a solid
background in science and a commitment to research in molecular & cellular biology.
Students should have taken undergraduate courses in introductory
biology and chemistry,
organic chemistry, physical chemistry, calculus, genetics, and biochemistry.
Deficiencies in a particular area can be remedied by appropriate courses
during the first year of graduate study. Admission will be
determined on the basis
of academic record, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores (verbal, quantitative,
and analytical).
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Stipends and tuition support are available for graduate students
in the Program. Students may be supported as research assistants
with funds from the Graduate
College or they may be supported by training grants and other grants. Stipend
support is renewed based on satisfactory progress toward the degree.
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THE CURRICULUM
The curriculum contains a sequence of required and elective courses
which provides students with a broad background in molecular & cellular biology and which ensures a comprehensive exposure to the conceptual
and experimental aspects of the field. In addition, sufficient
flexibility is provided so that students can adapt the program
to permit specialization in their area of interest. Flexibility
in the program is particularly important due to the great diversity
of biological research problems which can be pursued using molecular
biological approaches. To obtain the appropriate background and
intensive exposure to molecular & cellular biology and related areas, the
following courses are required: 1) Principles in Molecular and
Cell Biology, 2) a Molecular Biology core, 3) a Cell Biology
core, 4) a Biochemistry/Chemistry core or Pharmacology/Physiology
core (click
here for a full list of core options). All students
also register for the Seminar in Molecular & Cellular Biology (seminars,
workshops) course each semester and Topics in Molecular & Cellular Biology
(journal club - pre-comp students register each semester, post-comps
students must participate in a journal club of their choice).
In addition, students are required to take at least 6 semester
hours of elective courses from an approved list.
Students are encouraged to obtain maximum laboratory research experience during
the first two years of the program. To ensure that students will obtain
early involvement in laboratory research, students are required to register
for research credits during the first year of graduate studies. After successful
completion of the comprehensive examination, a student would be expected
to devote the major portion of their effort towards thesis research.
Students usually take the comprehensive examination during the second year
of studies. The comprehensive examination will involve the preparation and
oral defense of one written research proposal. The proposal must be the product
of the student's original and independent preparation and must be on a topic
in molecular & cellular biology unrelated to their thesis research.
Following successful completion of the comprehensive examination and advancement
to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, a dissertation committee is appointed
to advise the student during the intensive research phase of training and
to conduct the final examination. On successful completion of all requirements,
including the written dissertation and successful oral defense of the dissertation,
the Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology is awarded.
For more information on the course of study go to Graduate Student Guidelines
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