Molecular Biosciences

The MS in Molecular Biosciences is a 33 credit, 24-month degree program designed to educate students in the basic mechanisms of human health and disease. The program is interdisciplinary, bringing together basic, applied, and clinical scientists from a number of departments to provide students with foundational didactic coursework and the opportunity to explore basic and clinically relevant scientific questions in the laboratory (Thesis track) or an industrial setting through experiential learning (Capstone track). The program encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases. The program offers courses in the core biomedical disciplines, laboratory research techniques, ethical conduct in the research process, and a graduate seminar course.

The program has two tracks: Thesis track and Capstone track. The Thesis track emphasizes the importance of high quality research and is designed to assist students in fulfilling their potential as research scientists. It requires the completion of original research and publication of a thesis describing that research. The Capstone Track provides students with co-operative experiential learning opportunities (Co-op) in biopharmaceutical industry, federal or state public health labs, or clinical research laboratories to gain skills and knowledge required for seeking employment in these sectors. The Capstone course serves as a culminating part of this track and requires the production of a written document based on 1) literature review on an existing scientific topic or 2) a no-credit experiential learning experience such as a co-op, internship, or basic/clinical lab research.

The graduates from this program can have careers that involve research by government agencies, research centers, non-profit organizations, industry, colleges and universities. It also prepares students for advanced degrees in the microbiology, immunology, molecular and cell biology, and medicine.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
• Obtain broad knowledge through courses, laboratory, and the scientific literature in the field of molecular biosciences
• Demonstrate skills to conduct independent original research in a specialized area of molecular biosciences or work on real-world
problems in the biopharmaceutical industry
• Demonstrate the ability to organize and effectively communicate oral and written scientific information
• Develop the skills to be competitive for jobs in academia and industry
• Develop the skills to be competitive for graduate or professional programs

Touting published research before graduation demonstrates credibility in the field and gives you a competitive edge as you pursue the next steps along your career path. Molecular Biosciences students have a successful track record of being listed as co-authors in a range of scholarly publications and presentations.

Students graduate with the ability to conduct independent original research and effectively communicate scientific information, skills that position them well for opportunities such as:

- Admission into top Ph.D. programs in biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology
- Admission into dental and medical schools
- Work as research technicians in private or government biomedical science research laboratories
- Work as quality control analysts in the pharmaceutical industry