Students are admitted with the intent of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. Formal course requirements depend upon the individual student's career goals. Students must maintain a B (3.0) average to be retained in the program and to continue to receive financial support.
To be awarded a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, each student must successfully complete or participate in the following:
Course Requirements
Lab Rotations: During the first year, students work in the laboratories of three different CMB faculty; spending about 6 weeks in each. The goal of the laboratory rotations is to introduce students to a variety of laboratory techniques and to choose a mentor by the end of the first year.
Seminars: Students are expected to participate in all program seminars; they are a very valuable part of your education. The program hosts outstanding scientists who are conducting cutting-edge research in the various biochemistry and molecular biology areas. As a student in the program you will have an opportunity to meet with these seminar speakers.
Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar Series/Biomedical Sciences Seminar Series (attendance/participation required). Students will attend this seminar series which includes presentations from Penn State faculty as well as invited speakers from other institutions.
Cell and Molecular Biology Student Seminars (attendance/participation required). Students will present annual research seminars in the department of their mentor beginning in their second year of training.
Journal Clubs: Participation in a journal club is required for all students. First year students may choose from a variety of journal clubs. Advanced students should participate in a journal club in the department of their mentor.
English Competency Requirement is satisfied by passing the candidacy examination.
Examinations (PhD): There are three examinations for the PhD degree: the Candidacy Examination taken at the end of the first year; the Comprehensive Examination taken by the end of the spring semester of the second year; and the oral, PhD thesis defense. See CMB Guidelines for details.
Admission to candidacy for the PhD occurs upon successful completion of the candidacy exam and demonstration of research potential and maintenance of no less than a 3.0 GPA in academic courses.
Doctoral Committee: A doctoral committee must be formed prior to the comprehensive examination. See CMB Guidelines for details. Doctoral committees should meet on a regular basis. A documented meeting is required (using Report on Doctoral Committee Meeting form) every year starting with the student's third year.
Written and Oral Ph.D. Thesis Defense, consisting of a doctoral dissertation and a final oral defense of the dissertation. The final oral defense is comprised of a seminar open to the academic community and a closed session with the Ph.D. Thesis Doctoral Committee.
