Couple the Intensity of Your Focus with the Breadth of Our Vision
The MCB Program is structured to help you acheive your research goals while also helping you to become well-versed in many aspects of science. We offer an exciting combination of focus and breadth.

Year One:
In your first semester in the MCB program, you perform research in a lab rotation and take a core course in Advanced Molecular Biology (3 credit course). Most students also work as Teaching Assistants (TA) to fullfill the MCB requirement of 2 semesters as a TA.

During the winter session, you finish your first lab rotation and prepare a poster on the results of your work, to present during an MCB First Year Students' poster session.

In your second semester, you begin your second rotation and take Advanced Biochemistry and Advanced Cellular Biology (both 3 credit courses). Most students work as TAs in this semester. You'll also take part in a journal club. At the end of the semester, a cumulative test is given based upon the three core courses that you've taken in your first year.

In the summer of your first year, you begin research in your lab of choice. At the end of the summer, you begin your second year in the MCB program by giving a 10 minute presentation on your work in your last rotation.

Year Two:
In the first semester of your second year, you may choose one or more elective courses you would like to take.

In the winter session, you submit an abstract detailing your research plan for your oral exam. Most students choose to not take any courses in their second semester so that they can concentrate on preparing for their oral exams.

Year Three:
In your third year, you can choose the last electives that fullfill the 9 credit MCB requirement. At the beginning of your first semester, you submit your choice for a Ph.D. dissertation committee.

In the second semester, you join the more senior MCB graduate students in presenting a poster at the MCB retreat about your research in your dissertation lab.

In the summer of your third year, you are expected to write and present your prospectus to your dissertation committee.

Years Four and Five:
In your fourth and fifth years in the program, you'll be working as a full time research scientist on lab work for your dissertation. When you and your advisor agree that you are ready, you will write and defend your dissertation.

For more information about MCB please visit the MCB web site. Potential applicants should also visit the UMass Graduate School web site.

Subspecialty Graduate Programs at UMass

Students who have decided to pursue a specific aspect of biological research may wish to investigate one of the UMass subspecialty graduate programs listed below. These programs have been formed by faculty whose research interests unite them, despite their membership in different departments at UMass. Some of the programs are "stand-alone," and accept applicants from outside UMass, and others are subsidiary, accepting students who are currently enrolled in a UMass graduate program, and giving them an additional affiliation. Please visit the web sites linked below to learn more about each specific program.

The Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB) Graduate Program is an interdepartmental graduate program focusing on the structure, function, diversity and evolution of organisms. Research focuses on organisms and their functional biology, ecology, or the evolution and diversification of life.

Interested in applying? Make sure to visit the UMass Graduate School web site, too.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Master's Degree Program