Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program

Potential students should apply to the Basic Biomedical Sciences umbrella program.

Basic Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Program; First-year students complete a core curriculum with: Core Course, 2+ Laboratory Rotations; Responsible Conduct of Research Training in Integrity, Ethics, and Excellence. Second-year students take a qualifying exam to enter the Ph.D. program: Collaborative and Cross-Disciplinary

About the Cell and Molecular Biology Program

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The Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology provides training opportunities for students interested in studying cellular functions ranging from molecular mechanisms to functional behavior. The Program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to research, which covers a variety of areas, including but not limited to:

Cell biology
Molecular biology
Pharmacology
Physiology
Systems biology
Bioinformatics and biomathematics

“UTSW is an amazing choice with literally more than a hundred labs with diverse research topics and an umbrella program that gives you time to decide which program you want to join.”

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Mehmet Oguz Gok

“I believe the PIs are not only strong scientists, but strong mentors as well. The caliber of research is high and the quality of mentorship I have received during my graduate career is even higher.”

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Rose Pedretti

“We have a diverse set of research from professors and students in the program so that during WIPs or at our symposium we are always learning something new. ”

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Lexus Tatge

“UTSW is a stunning institution. We have faculty that founded entire scientific fields, and others that are rising stars answering questions that the community thought were unapproachable just a few years prior.”

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Ryan Otto

“The school, faculty, and students are supportive in every way. UTSW is incredibly collaborative, fostering an amazing place for science to grow.”

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Sarah Cobb

Going Beyond Lab Research

Advanced courses, journal clubs, symposia, works-in-progress seminars, and intensive training in the development of independent research projects prepare Cell and Molecular Biology students for completion of the Ph.D. degree and future success in their career of choice. This is facilitated by diverse, active, and collaborative faculty committed to mentoring the next generation of top-notch scientists.

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Advanced Coursework

Our faculty are committed to providing high-quality coursework to help students reach their professional goals.
Grant Writing

Our program offers a grant-writing course in which students work with experienced faculty to develop skills for identifying innovative research questions and building research plans for their effective resolution.
Journal Clubs

Journal clubs are an educational addition to formal coursework that explore cutting-edge scientific questions and provide opportunities for valuable discussion.
Works-in-Progress Seminars

Faculty actively participate in weekly works-in-progress seminars and provide students with the opportunity for individual mentoring on presentation skills.

How to Apply and Qualify

Potential students should apply to the Basic Biomedical Sciences umbrella program. First-year students complete a core curriculum that includes a core course, two or three laboratory rotations, and training in grantsmanship and the responsible conduct of research.

Students interested in joining the program are required to take the Cells thread of the core course during their first semester. Students who perform satisfactorily in the core course are qualified to enter the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program.

The Program also administers a specialty curriculum in pharmacological sciences that is open to students from all of the basic science graduate programs.

Meet the Program Director

“My mission is to provide the most up-to-date curriculum, opportunities to build relationships with program students and faculty, guidance for the timely completion of thesis work, and career advice during graduate school and beyond.”