Program: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ph.D. - University of Nevada, Reno

University General Course Catalog 2012-2013

Apr 25, 2025

146 Howard Medical Sciences
(775) 784-6161

Cellular and molecular biology is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Division of Health Sciences and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. Study programs lead to the master of science or doctor of philosophy degree. Additionally, medical students may earn a M.D./Ph.D. degree through the program.

The highly interactive program offers a wide range of study options dealing with contemporary cell and molecular biology. Students who seek admission to the program should have completed the following course requirements: eight credits of both organic chemistry and biology, six credits of physics and four credits of calculus. If a student is admitted with a deficiency in these courses, the required courses must be completed during the first year of graduate study.

Candidates for the doctor of philosophy degree must satisfy all general requirements established by the Graduate School and complete a minimum of 72 credits, which include the following: 29 credits of core curriculum, 27 credits of research and dissertation and 17 credits of approved electives. Substitutions of the core curriculum requirements must be approved by the director of the cellular and molecular biology program. All students must have their study programs approved by the program director, or when appointed, by an advisory committee. A list of approved electives can be obtained from the program office.

A. Doctor of Philosophy Core Courses:

BCH 613 - Molecular Biophysics (3 units) OR
CMB 710 - Molecular Cell Biology (4 units)
BCH 705R - Molecular Genetics (3 units)
CMB 701 - Laboratory Practicum I (3 units) AND
CMB 702 - Laboratory Practicum II (3 units) AND
CMB 703 - Laboratory Practicum III (3 units)
CMB 790 - Graduate Seminar (1 unit)
CMB 794 Colloquium (6 units)

Additional Program Requirements

All students working toward the doctoral degree must pass a comprehensive examination in which the student independently proposes a research project in the form of a written research grant proposal. The comprehensive exam is one (1) credit and will count toward the 72 credits required for the Ph.D. The comprehensive exam will also count toward the required 30 credits of 700-level course work. Following acceptance of the proposal by an examining committee, the proposal must be defended orally before the committee. All doctoral degree candidates must present a public seminar of their thesis research and pass an oral defense of the dissertation. Candidates for the M.D./Ph.D. degree must meet the requirements as outlined in the M.D./Ph.D. program. Refer to the “Combined M.D./Ph.D. ” description in the Division of Health Sciences section of this catalog for more information or contact the microbiology and immunology department, (775) 784-6161.

Graduate fellowships for the cellular and molecular biology program are available on a competitive basis. Contact the program office for more information.