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  • The Doctorate (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. is the main graduate degree program in Biology. It provides the training necessary for a student to become an independent professional scholar in the life sciences with the skills to carry out their own original research and to educate others. Student growth is an emphasis of the program. Offers to enter the Ph.D. program are based on the applicant's potential as a scientist and educator. New students arrive and are expected to begin doing research immediately. Coursework blends regular classes, seminars, and research hours and is the focus during the first 4 semesters, with the mix depending on the level of prior coursework a student has had. A written and oral qualifying exam occurs in year 3. Following a successful qualifying exam, research becomes the dominant focus of a student's time. Once a significant body of original research has been achieved, a Ph.D. candidate writes a dissertation and defends it before a public audience and a committee of faculty members.

Biology has a few program-wide requirements for the Ph.D. and additional types of activities may be expected of the student by the student's mentor and advisory committee. Some of these are formalized in specific training programs, which also may determine the nature of the written and oral exams. 

All incoming research students (Ph.D. and thesis Master's) are required to take a seminar called "Orientation to Being a Graduate Student" in their first year, usually the first semester. The course covers ethical issues, publication, grant-writing, and other general skills about professional conduct in Biology. 

All students are required to attend the Biology Department weekly seminar when possible. 

4th year students are to give a public seminar to the Department on the state of their dissertation research. In the past this has been organized as a Departmental retreat and is a fantastic event for fostering interactions between faculty and students. 

PhD students are supported on fellowship, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship. We do not accept a student into the program without also offering some type of support. Generally, support lasts up to 5 years, and often students can get additional support after that time depending on their situation. Such support is conditional on a student making progress toward their degree. All financial packages comes with a stipend, tuition scholarship, and student health insurance.

The current stipend for Teaching Assistants is $28,520 for a 9-month appointment.

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Two people working in a lab with gloves

Fostering highly collaborative interactions

Program Overview

Initiated more than 50 years ago, the Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) Program fosters interactions among students and faculty, helping to broaden the students’ appreciation of diverse research opportunities and to encourage interdisciplinary thinking in a highly collaborative atmosphere. The CMB Program has been an integrative force that aims to tie together the various disciplines of genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, cell biology and others. The goal of CMB is to train our students to examine scientific problems from many perspectives through individualized, flexible programs of coursework and research.

Apply through our PIBS application

Current research initiatives range from single molecule analysis and structural biology, to the many important model systems of cell and developmental biology (yeast, Drosophila, C. elegans, Xenopus, zebrafish, mouse), to cellular and translational approaches to complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cardiac, autoimmune and genetic diseases to animal-modeling approaches that aim to understand cellular mechanisms in integrative biological and physiologic contexts. Other interdisciplinary research interests of the CMB faculty and students include:

  • Cell biology of organelles, cytoskeleton, cell cycle
  • Molecular biology of gene expression, RNA and genome maintenance
  • Systems and integrative physiology
  • Biochemistry, structural biology
  • Microbial pathogenesis
  • Development, aging, and neuroscience
  • Molecular mechanisms of disease

CMB requires coursework in the areas of biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics. Appropriate coursework in each of these three areas can be selected from courses offered throughout the University to complement each student’s prior background and research interests. Elective courses provide further intensive preparation in various areas according to each student’s research interests. Students also fulfill a quantitative course requirement, and take a grant writing course that prepares them both to submit a future grant application, and to take the preliminary exams.

The CMB Monday noon seminar, attended by students throughout their time in the program, brings students and faculty together on a weekly basis, provides a forum for scientific exchange and fosters a sense of community. Students give mentored talks on the literature and on their research.

The interdisciplinary aspect of CMB is also highlighted in a series of "short courses" on high-profile topics of current interest selected by students. In addition to frequent personal discussions, students meet and familiarize themselves with the diverse faculty and their research during the annual CMB Fall Symposium and Poster Session, and at the CMB Spring Symposium (see Student Interests below). Students also fulfill a quantitative course requirement, and take a grant writing course that prepares them both to submit a future grant application, and to take the preliminary exams.

Preliminary Examination

After satisfactorily completing coursework, students are eligible to take the preliminary exam by writing and orally defending a proposal based on their own research. This exam is typically completed by March in the second year. By spring, students advance to candidacy and form the dissertation committee, chaired by their faculty mentor, that will guide their Ph.D. research.

Teaching Requirement

CMB students teach for at least one semester, usually during the first year after candidacy. Students are encouraged to select a course to teach based on their background and interests. There are positions available across the university at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate. CMB faculty and staff assist students in securing teaching positions. CMB students are often recognized for their teaching talents with awards such as the prestigious University-wide Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award, and Medical School Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Expected Length of Program

Students can expect to spend four to six years working toward their PhD in CMB, with 5.6 years as the average length of time to complete the program.

CMB has now grown to include over 70 students and greater than 190 faculty representing over 20 basic and clinical science departments. Approximately 16 new students per year join our program. Our students have received numerous recognitions and awards including the Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award, a national award that recognizes outstanding achievement during graduate studies in the biological sciences, and the University of Michigan Distinguished Dissertation Award, the highest honor the University confers to recognize graduate student accomplishments. Our faculty include Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators, as well as the directors of the University of Michigan’s Life Sciences Institute and Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Our students are involved in a variety of activities and organizations while they are in our program:

The CMB Retreat and Annual Symposium occur every fall and spring, respectively. They feature a lecture delivered by a prominent scientist and a dynamic poster session that provides opportunity for students and faculty to share their research progress. Other events include career panels that often include CMB alumni and activities to help students and faculty become better acquainted.

CMB has a student-driven Career Committee that invites alumni & other professional speakers to present workshops on diverse career topics. Workshops are held throughout the year & are intended to assist students in individual career planning.

The CMB DEI Task Force is a student committee that works to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and community through events and initiatives for the the CMB program throughout the year. The CMB DEI Task Force sponsors “Students Mentoring Students”, an informal mechanism for senior students to mentor students entering CMB from PIBS or MSTP. In addition, 1st & 2nd year PhD students meet frequently with the Director for advising sessions and students in the 3rd - 5th year are assigned one of three Associate Directors with whom they meet annually.

CMB students are actively involved student groups such as the Association of Multicultural Scientists, the Biomedical Graduate Student Government and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. CMB students are active in many science education outreach activities and a social committee, which sponsors a fall picnic, holiday party, and other social events throughout the year.

Over 350 CMB alumni have gone on to establish successful and productive careers in academia, biotechnology, and science advising to the government and public, among other areas. These are the same industries you could expect to find a career as a graduate.

Learn more about the Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology.

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Howard Chang, MD, PhD

The Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research and professor of dermatology and of genetics has received Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Prize for Science in biology. The prize is in recognition of Chang’s work in uncovering the significance of long non-coding RNAs in gene regulation and his collaborative efforts in advancing genome-wide methodologies to identify DNA regulatory regions. The prize includes a certificate written in Arabic Diwani calligraphy and signed by the chairman of the prize board, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Bin Abd Al-Aziz, along with a 24-carat, 200-gram gold medal and a $200,000 grant.

Howard Y. Chang, MD, PhD

About Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. For more information, please visit http://mednews.stanford.edu .

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COMMENTS

  1. Ph.D. Program

    Graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology may specialize in research activities at all levels of biological organization, with emphases on ecophysiology, cellular and molecular biology, endocrinology, and ecology of aquatic organisms, or on models related to human disease. To qualify for candidacy, students must take both written and oral ...

  2. Biology, PhD

    About the Program Ready to take the deepest dive into the study of living things? If so, our PhD program is for you. We'll give you the research experience and other preparation you need for a career in health care, environmental management, education, forensics, and more.

  3. Graduate

    You are completing your B.S. in the sciences. You have enjoyed the process and have a strong interest in biology. Perhaps you were engaged in research as an undergraduate and want more. It is time to think about a career in Biology. An advanced degree (M.S. and/or Ph.D.) can make this happen.

  4. Ph.D. Program

    The UAB Department of Biology doctoral degree is granted in recognition of scholarly proficiency and achievement.

  5. Home

    Recognized for her innovation in the classroom, Samiksha Raut, Ph.D., was awarded the 2023 Four-Year College and University Section Biology Teaching Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers. UAB expands research courses thanks to new $76 million science building

  6. Ph.D. Program

    Graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology may specialize in research activities at all levels of biological organization, with emphases on ecophysiology, cellular and molecular biology, endocrinology, and ecology of aquatic organisms, or on models related to human disease. ... A complete list of courses is available in the UAB Graduate Catalog.

  7. Biology < Catalog

    Graduate students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in biology may specialize in research activities at all levels of biological organization, with emphases on ecophysiology, cellular and molecular biology of plant and animal models, environmental microbiology, the biology of aging, bioinformatics, and ecology of aquatic organisms. Admission.

  8. Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, PhD

    Dr. John Parant [email protected] About the Program What's the reason for certain diseases and birth defects? At UAB, we can teach you about the impact of cell, molecular, and developmental biology on our lives. Earning a PhD will help prepare you for a career in academia, research, scientific writing, law, or forensics.

  9. Biochemistry & Structural Biology, PhD

    Biochemistry & Structural Biology, PhD - Find Your Degree Joint Health Sciences Biochemistry & Structural Biology Degree Type: PhD Graduate School Apply Financing Your Degree Program Director About the Program

  10. Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology < Catalog

    Theme Information. Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (CMDB) is one of eight interdisciplinary PhD themes within Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS). Students select a theme upon application but have access to faculty and courses from across GBS, allowing for flexibility in both research and academics. CMDB is designed to provide maximum ...

  11. Department of Biology < Catalog

    For additional information, please contact Dr. Stephen Watts, Graduate Program Director, at (205) 934-2045 or [email protected]. On This Page. Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology. Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology and a Marine Science Concentration.

  12. Cancer Biology

    Cancer Biology is one of eight interdisciplinary PhD themes within Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS). Students select a theme upon application but have access to faculty and courses from across GBS, allowing for flexibility in both research and academics. The Cancer Biology Theme provides training opportunities in multiple and contemporary ...

  13. Pathobiology, Pharmacology & Physiology < Catalog

    Pathobiology, Pharmacology, & Physiology (P 3) is one of eight interdisciplinary PhD themes within Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS). Students select a theme upon application but have access to faculty and courses from across GBS, allowing for flexibility in both research and academics. P 3 provides our graduate students the broadest training ...

  14. Ph.D. in Educational Studies in Diverse Populations

    Ph.D. in Educational Studies in Diverse Populations - School of Education This program is designed to prepare you to conduct research and lead innovation that enhances educational and life outcomes for diverse populations in P-12, post-secondary and community settings.

  15. Christopher S. Brown, Ph.D.

    (205) 934-1294 Christopher S. Brown is the Vice President for Research at UAB and a tenured professor in the Department of Biology. He received his BS degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his MS and PhD from North Carolina State University (NCSU).

  16. Psychology < Catalog

    Graduate Program. The Doctoral Program in the Department of Psychology offers three concentrations: Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, and Medical/Clinical Psychology.Upon completion of any of these concentrations the student receives a Ph.D. in Psychology.

  17. Cellular Biology

    The PhD in Cell Biology at the UAB is a good option for satisfying that desire. This PhD programme aims to train researchers and so there is a special emphasis on learning different research methodologies and the most innovative research techniques which will lead to the production of the doctoral thesis.

  18. FAESB receives NSF grant for program to promote inclusive biomedical

    The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States, has secured a nearly $500,000 two-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). ... Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology. ... PhD, FASEB Director of Strategic ...

  19. PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biomedicine

    Our PhD programme has the participation of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the UAB (UAB Campus) and the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR, Campus Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona)).

  20. Cancer Biology < Catalog

    Cancer Biology is one of eight interdisciplinary PhD themes within Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS). Students select a theme upon application but have access to faculty and courses from across GBS, allowing for flexibility in both research and academics. The Cancer Biology Theme provides training opportunities in multiple and contemporary ...

  21. Biology Major

    UAB's Department of Biology can prepare you for careers ranging from the medical field to oceanography and many options in between. Jump to navigation ... Graduate School opens a new website Graduate Catalog opens a new website Online Degrees opens a new website. Parents & Family

  22. UAB Events Calendar

    Alexa Mattheyses, PhD, Associate Professor of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, will present a seminar on "Nanoscale axial imaging reveals flexible vesicle formation dynamics in clathrin mediated endocytosis." Wednesday, February 7 at 10:15am to 11:15am. Faculty Office Tower, 1202. 510 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233.

  23. Graduate

    The UAB Department of Biology graduate programs are considered to be among the top programs in the nation.

  24. PDF Biology

    biology, chemistry, physics, sociology, public health, biomedicine, public administration, political science, communications, and computer science. Application for the Certificate Program To complete the Graduate Certificate in Science Policy, students must be admitted as a graduate student as defined by the UAB Graduate School.

  25. PDF Presented by Uab Department of Biology Thursday, February 16th

    HILTON AT UAB - HAMILTON BALLROOM 808 20TH STREET SOUTH, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35205. PAID PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE HILTON PARKING DECK (ENTRANCE ON 20TH STREET SOUTH) Poster Session and Reception: 5-6pm. The Department of Biology will present a public poster session highlighting current research. Keynote Lecture by Jay Phelan: 6-7pm.

  26. The Doctorate (Ph.D.)

    The Doctorate (Ph.D.) The Ph.D. is the main graduate degree program in Biology. It provides the training necessary for a student to become an independent professional scholar in the life sciences with the skills to carry out their own original research and to educate others. Student growth is an emphasis of the program.

  27. Graduate Program: Cellular & Molecular Biology

    Initiated more than 50 years ago, the Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) Program fosters interactions among students and faculty, helping to broaden the students' appreciation of diverse research opportunities and to encourage interdisciplinary thinking in a highly collaborative atmosphere. The CMB Program has been an integrative force that ...

  28. Howard Chang, MD, PhD

    The Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research and professor of dermatology and of genetics has received Saudi Arabia's King Faisal Prize for Science in biology. The prize is in recognition of Chang's work in uncovering the significance of long non-coding RNAs in gene regulation and his collaborative efforts in advancing genome-wide methodologies to identify DNA regulatory ...

  29. Plant Biology and Biotechnology

    PhD in Plant Biology and Biotechnology PhD programmes Review and Thesis PhD type Doctorat UAB Number of places available 18 Fees aprox. €540 per year View detail of the PhD's fees Languages in which the thesis may be written English, Catalan, Spanish Organising universities and institutions Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona