{"id":1952,"date":"2019-11-20T11:44:37","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T16:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/?page_id=1952"},"modified":"2026-02-19T11:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T16:01:17","slug":"phd","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/programs\/phd\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD in MCBB"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a id=\"top\"><\/a><span>The PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, &amp; Biochemistry (MCBB) is designed to build a solid foundation in these three related fields through coursework and seminars, and to develop the skills for achieving cutting-edge research accomplishments. The program is based on an interdisciplinary environment and a breadth of approaches and biological interests, including faculty from multiple departments (e.g. Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Health Sciences). Its goal is to propel students into successful careers in academia, research institutions, industry (e.g. biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries), or in government as policy makers. The program accepts applicants with degrees in related disciplines where the focus has been on biology, chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a relevant field.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The MCBB Program guarantees support for five years for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"button button-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/apply\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">How to Apply<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<a class=\"button button-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/apply\/#faq\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Learning Outcomes<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1. Demonstrate academic mastery<\/strong><\/span> in the interrelated biological disciplines encompassing at least two of three biological areas: 1) molecular biology, 2) cell biology, and 3) biochemistry, plus in computational analysis.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2. Attain research expertise\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>and complete a significant body of original research that advances a specific field of study in the biological sciences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3. Follow the ethics<\/strong><\/span> for appropriate behavior in the scientific discipline.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>4. Be able to teach and promote<\/strong><\/span> the field of biological sciences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>5. Be prepared<\/strong><\/span> to enter the job market.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Coursework &amp; Other Requirements<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Coursework<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>A total of 64 credits is required. Of these, a minimum of 32 credits must derive from lecture or seminar courses, and a minimum of 12 credits from elective courses. Remaining coursework normally consists of research credits. Course requirements are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-bi-735\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">BI 735<\/a> <\/span>Advanced Cell Biology (4 credits)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-bi-753\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">BI 753<\/a><\/span> Advanced Molecular Biology (4 credits)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-721\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">MB 721<\/a><\/span> Graduate Biochemistry (4 credits)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-697\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">MB 697<\/a> <\/span>A Bridge to Knowledge: A Practical Seminar for First-Year Graduate Students (1 credit)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-581\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MB 581<\/a><\/span> Grant Writing Seminar (2 credits)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-583\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">MB 583<\/a><\/span> Progress in Cell &amp; Molecular Biology (2 credits)*<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-584\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">MB 584<\/a> <\/span>Progress in Cell &amp; Molecular Biology (2 credits)*<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-791\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MB 791<\/a><\/span> Graduate Laboratory Rotations 1 (2 credits)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-792\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MB 792<\/a><\/span> Graduate Laboratory Rotations 2 (2 credits)<\/li>\n<li><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/ethics-compliance\/responsible-conduct-of-research\/training-programs\/rcr-for-doctoral-or-postdoctoral-researchers\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EK 800<\/a><\/span> RCR for Doctoral Researchers (1 cr)<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Quantitative course, as most appropriate for the student\u2019s PhD research (3-4 credits, see <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/quant-courses\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graduate Program Guide<\/a><\/span> for recommendations)<\/li>\n<li>8 credits of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student\u2019s advisor<\/li>\n<li>The final credits required for the Ph.D. degree, for a total of 64, consist normally of research credits (<span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-907\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">MB 907<\/a><\/span>\/<span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-mb-908\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">MB 908<\/a><\/span> Research in MCBB)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Seminars<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>All students participate in the MCBB seminar program that consists of one required weekly seminar, and a number of optional seminars and colloquia.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Required seminar \u2013 CM\/MCBB Graduate Student Seminar (<span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-bi-583\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BI 583<\/a><\/span>\/<span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/cas-bi-584\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">584<\/a><\/span>):<\/strong><\/span> This seminar is the keystone of the program. It offers a chance each week for students in the biological sciences and faculty to meet, and creates a forum for the exchange of ideas. PhD students annually present their laboratory research. MA students must also attend.<\/p>\n<p><sup><em>*Students are required to attend BI 583\/584 throughout their graduate career but only 4 credits may count toward the degree.<\/em><\/sup><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lab Rotations<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>First-year PhD students who enter the MCBB Program are required to perform three laboratory rotations of their choice during their first academic year. These laboratory rotations are with MCBB faculty, and each rotation is approximately 8 weeks.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Annual Report<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>All MCBB students are required to submit an annual report each academic year. This report is completed on forms provided by the Graduate Program Specialist. These forms include a summary of courses completed, research progress, courses taught, examinations passed, committee members and meetings held, publications and presentations, a current transcript, and an assessment by the student\u2019s Faculty Advisor.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Teaching Requirement<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The PhD program requires a minimum of two semesters of teaching during a student\u2019s graduate career. During the first semester of teaching, students are required to enroll in our first-year seminar course, <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/courses\/grs-mb-697\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">CAS MB 697 A Bridge to Knowledge<\/a><\/span>. The course provides guidance and training on pedagogy and other aspects of graduate school.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bu.edu\/mcbb\/phd-expectations\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PhD Student Expectations by Year<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Qualifying Examination<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>This examination is designed to test the student\u2019s general knowledge encompassing molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry, as well as the student\u2019s grasp of the proposed research project and ability to synthesize findings and propose and experimentally test hypotheses. It consists of an oral qualifying exam defending a written research proposal, administered by a committee of no fewer than four faculty, at least three of whom must be members of the MCBB program (including the thesis advisor). The qualifying exam should be completed by the end of the third year.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Dissertation &amp; Final Oral Examination<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the director of graduate studies, and the department chair\/program director. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their fields and demonstrate a mastery of their fields of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/grs\/programs\/phd-degree-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Graduation Timeline<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"timeline\"><\/a>Forms and additional information about PhD graduation can be found on the<span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/current-students\/phd-mfa-students\/graduation-information\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">GRS website<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>9 &#8211; 12 months before proposed graduation date<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Dissertation Prospectus &amp; approval form due to Graduate Program Specialist for program review and submission to GRS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Semester prior to your intended graduation cycle<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/academics\/phd-and-mfa-academics\/graduation-information\/intent-to-graduate-form-for-phd-students\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Intent to Graduate Form<\/a><\/span> completed online<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>About 2 months before dissertation defense<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Meet with Graduate Program Specialist to review requirements for defense<\/li>\n<li>Arrange for Special Service Appointments if committee members are not BU faculty<\/li>\n<li>Send first draft of dissertation to readers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Once defense date is confirmed with committee<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Reserve room(s) for public seminar and defense<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>At least three weeks prior to dissertation defense<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Schedule of Final Oral Exam with Abstract Approval due to GRS<\/li>\n<li>Properly formatted draft of dissertation submitted as PDF to <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"mailto:grsrec@bu.edu\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">grsrec@bu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>At least two weeks prior to dissertation defense<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Send dissertation to all committee members<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>At least one week prior to dissertation defense<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Send program information to Graduate Program Specialist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>See the <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/grad-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">Graduate Program Guide<\/a> <\/span>for final dates to submit dissertation to ETD<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">\n<li>Submit final dissertation to ETD (online submission)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/library\/grs-dissertations-docusign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">Complete electronic signature page<\/a> <\/span>and forward confirmation to Graduate Program Specialist along with a copy of your submitted dissertation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">MA Degree (En Route to PhD)<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>PhD candidates may apply for an MA degree in MCBB after they have successfully passed their Qualifying Examination and completed 32 credits of graduate-level course work. Applications are available online using the <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/academics\/ma-ms-academics\/graduation-information\/grs-intent-to-graduate-for-a-masters-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">GRS Intent to Graduate for a Master\u2019s Degree Form<\/a><\/span>. The student\u2019s major professor receives notification of this application process.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Time Limits<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Officially, the PhD must be completed within seven years after the first registration for doctoral study. PhD degrees are conferred in either May, August, or January, as specified on the <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/current-students\/phd-mfa-students\/graduation-information\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">GRS website<\/a><\/span>. In addition, the PhD candidacy expires after the fifth anniversary of passing the Qualifying Examination. Petitions to extend this deadline are possible at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School, and can be obtained from the Office of the Graduate School of Arts &amp; Sciences.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h6><\/h6>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Funding<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The MCBB Program guarantees support for up to five years <\/strong><\/span>for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.\u00a0PhD students are encouraged to apply for fellowships and grants at funding agencies. All domestic students should apply for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships in the Fall semester of their first or second year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Travel Grants<\/strong><\/span> may be available to assist students in their travel to professional scientific meetings; students presenting papers or posters on their research will receive first consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Training Program Fellowships:<\/strong><\/span> MCBB PhD students are eligible to apply for slots in several training programs, including the <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/sb2\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Training Program in Synthetic Biology &amp; Biotechnology (SB2)<\/a><\/span> and the <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/biocontrol\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Training Program in Biological Feedback Control<\/a><\/span>. Depending on the lab a student joins, they may be eligible for additional training programs. Application timelines for these programs vary, but typically occur after a student enrolls at BU.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Other Common Types of Funding:<\/strong><\/span> Please see the <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/admissions\/phd-mfa\/fellowship-aid\/aid-for-phd-students\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">Graduate School of Arts &amp; Sciences website<\/a> <\/span><\/span>for additional information.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"color: #cc0000;\">Back to Top<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, &amp; Biochemistry (MCBB) is designed to build a solid foundation in these three related fields through coursework and seminars, and to develop the skills for achieving cutting-edge research accomplishments. The program is based on an interdisciplinary environment and a breadth of approaches and biological interests, including faculty from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16528,"featured_media":0,"parent":19,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1952"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16528"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1952"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4819,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1952\/revisions\/4819"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/mcbb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}