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The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) is home to an interdisciplinary group of world-class scientists and laboratories. Its mission to advance biological research beyond traditional boundaries is supported by innovative research centers and state-of-the-art resources located on an academic campus enriched by museums, libraries, symposia, and events. It is this interdisciplinary and collaborative culture—motivated by a passion for scientific discovery —that makes MCB an exciting place to study the unsolved questions in biology. We train our graduate students to be the next generation of life scientists: creative, independent, and productive researchers working in academe, medicine, industry, law, business, or nonprofit sector.

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology offers three interdisciplinary training programs in the life sciences leading to a PhD in Biology or Biochemistry. The AM degree is conferred as a non-terminal degree to mark the completion of the candidacy (pre-qualifying) requirements.

• Engineering and Physical Biology Training Program (EPB). Nancy Kleckner, Program Director. Offered in partnership with the Department of Physics and the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, EPB trains a new generation of scientists to view living systems through the lens of physics and engineering.

• Genetics and Genomics Training Program (GGTP). William Gelbart and Daniel Hartl, Program Directors. Offered in partnership with the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, GGTP prepares young scientists for a new generation of genetic research from subcellular signaling mechanisms to organisms in populations.

• Molecular, Cellular, and Chemical Biology Training Program (MCCB). Gregory Verdine and Tom Maniatis, Program Directors. Offered in partnership with the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MCCB prepares students to solve scientific problems through both chemical and biological approaches.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Academic Residence. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences requires a minimum of two years of full-time study in residence. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook describes the regulations and rules that apply to students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Dissertation. Candidates will submit copies of their dissertation to all members of their advisory committee at least three weeks before the date of their dissertation defense. The dissertation should include an abstract of not more than 350 words, stating the purpose, main results, and conclusions of the dissertation research.