Cell and Molecular Biology - CAMB

Required Core Courses

There are two required core courses for CAMB students, Cell Biology (BIOM 600) and Gene Expression (BIOM 555). These courses train students in advanced, graduate-level concepts in cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology. The core courses are generally taken during the first year since they serve as a background for further course work and the preliminary examination. In addition to the core courses all first-year students are required to take the First Year Seminar Course. Students must also meet their program's course requirements within the prescribed 20 course units.

• First year seminar course: CAMB 605 (1 c.u.)
• Two core courses: BIOM 555, BIOM 600 (2 c.u.)
• Three laboratory rotations: CAMB 699 (5-6 c.u. total)
• Five to seven additional lecture or seminar courses; these include specific program requirements and electives. (5-7 c.u.)
• Predissertation Research (CAMB 899) or any of the above (4-6 c.u.).
• Total 20 c.u.

In the first semester, first-year Ph.D. students may not take elective courses and must do a 2 c.u. lab rotation. In the second semester, an additional elective course may be taken, if approved by the student’s program, with a 1 c.u. lab rotation. In the second year, students must take at least two courses/seminars each semester in addition to their laboratory research.

Exemptions and modifications:

In rare circumstances a student may have sufficient background to be exempt from the core courses, for example, a student who has received a Master's Degree in an appropriate area of life sciences. Requests for exemption will be considered by the Program Chair and the Executive Committee and will require documentation from the student: grade transcripts plus descriptions and syllabi of courses taken. If approved, credits will be transferred. There will be no exemptions from the three laboratory rotations.