Molecular biology and genetics, interdisciplinary doctoral curricula with Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Human Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology Ph.D. programs
Christie, Dr. Gail E.
Graduate Program Director and Recruitment Contact
christie@vcu.edu
(804) 828-9093
Web:
www.vcu.edu/mbg/
The molecular biology and genetics curriculum is an integrated interdisciplinary program of study that builds on the graduate programs of participating departments in the School of Medicine. The core curriculum is specifically designed to provide a strong foundation in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics, culminating in the conduct of an original research project under the supervision of a faculty adviser. Electives drawn from various departments allow individual specialization. The departments through which a Ph.D. with a concentration in molecular biology and genetics can be pursued include Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Human and Molecular Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology. Participating faculty are associated not only with programs and departments within the School of Medicine, but also VCU Massey Cancer Center, Philips Institute for Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology (School of Dentistry), Institute of Structural Biology and Drug Discovery (School of Pharmacy) and the VCU Center for the Study of Biological Complexity (VCU Life Sciences) and VCU’s School of Engineering. The interdisciplinary approach to the solution of biological problems provided by this training is designed to teach students the flexibility and problem-solving skills necessary for success in a variety of scientific research-oriented career opportunities.
All students are required to satisfy the core curriculum requirements, which are supplemented with electives appropriate to the individual research program area and with directed research under the supervision of the thesis adviser. Some departments may require specific electives. The core curriculum consists of the following courses, most of which are taken during the first two years of graduate study.
Core curriculum
credits |
|
| BIOC/MICR 503-504 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 10 |
| BIOC 602 Physical Properties of Macromolecules | 2 |
| BIOC 605 Molecular Biology or HGEN 614 Pathogenesis of Human Genetic Disease or PATH 670 Experimental Approaches to Tumor Biology or PHTX 625 Cell Signaling and Growth Control |
3 |
| MICR 607 Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 2 |
| MICR 608-609 Introduction to Microbiology and Immunology Research | 6 |
| MICR 510 Scientific Integrity | 1 |
| MICR 512 Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| MICR 605 Prokaryotic Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| MICR 690 Microbiology Research Seminar (every semester) | 1 |
| MICR 691 Special Topics in Microbiology – MBG Journal Club (must take at least twice) | 1 |
For additional information, visit www.vcu.edu/mbg/.