The graduate program in Cell and Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary, degree-granting program that comprises over 100 faculty members from 17 departments and 6 colleges who share common interests in cell and molecular biology. The M.S. program core includes coursework in molecular genetics, cell biology, and rigorous and ethical conduct of research. Students may also select additional courses in areas related to their interests. Two alternating graduate seminar series allow students to present their research and attend presentations by CSU faculty and nationally prominent scientists.

Core courses can typically be completed during the first year. The Plan A M.S. degree can be completed within two years. The Plan B M.S. degree can be completed within 3 semesters.

Most MS students are admitted with the support of a faculty advisor to oversee the research portion of their training. Current focus areas of research include but are not limited to, Cancer Biology; Gene Expression; Genome Structure, Evolution & Repair; Infectious Disease; Metabolism & Physiology; Microbiomes; Plant Molecular Biology, Prions & Neurobiology; Stem Cells & Development; Synthetic Biology and STEM Communication. Students are encouraged to complete coursework in computational/quantitative approaches, and an emphasis is placed on effective communication with various audiences. The CMB program supports a student association and aims to create an inclusive and welcoming culture for all.

Students interested in this program should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin or the Cell and Molecular Biology website for further details.

Program Learning Objectives

Graduates from our program will have strong foundations in core cell and molecular biology principles, state-of-the-art training in technical laboratory and computational skills, and leadership and communication skills necessary for professional achievement. After completing the M.S. Plan A or Plan B program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate and apply detailed knowledge of the molecular processes by which genetic material is replicated, expressed, and regulated and/or the cellular processes involved in membrane formation, organelle biogenesis, cell communication/shape/motility and how these are linked with growth, aging, and death.
  2. Evaluate primary research papers in the field of cell and molecular biology, including discerning the major questions/hypotheses being addressed, critically interpreting the data presented, assessing whether the conclusions are adequately supported by evidence, and relating the findings to the broader context and significance in the field.
  3. Apply appropriate, ethical, and technically competent research practices to generate and analyze data and determine biological relevance.
  4. Write publication-quality scientific manuscripts in the field of cell and molecular biology based on research findings (Plan A version), proposal, or literature review (Plan B version).

Institutional Learning Objectives

The curriculum for the program is aligned with CSU’s institutional learning objectives (creativity, reasoning, communication, responsibility, and collaboration) in the following ways:

  • First, through a combination of coursework and research experience, students will be trained to develop novel hypotheses that address fundamental questions in the field of cell and molecular biology and/or design creative approaches to test those hypotheses. 
  • Second, students will develop critical thinking and reasoning skills to interpret findings from the scientific literature and their own research data. 
  • Third, students will gain experience in multiple modes of science communication, including writing (research papers and literature reviews), oral presentations (talks at program seminars and research conferences), and visualization (figures in papers, talk slides, and poster presentations). 
  • Fourth, students will become responsible members of the scientific community through mentorship, workshops, and courses on ethical, rigorous, and reproducible conduct of research. 
  • Fifth, students will complete their studies within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment with a curriculum designed to support cohorts of students distributed across colleges, departments and campuses at CSU.
 

Effective Fall 2024

Required Courses:
CM 510Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology1
CM 544/MIP 544Reproducible Biomedical Research Methods3
CM 595Independent Study1-17
CM 699Thesis1-17
CM 792Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar 21-2
CM 793Seminar 21-2
Select one course from the following:4
BC 563
Molecular Genetics
BC 565
Molecular Regulation of Cell Function
Ethics Elective (see list below)1
Cell and Molecular Biology Electives 38
Program Total Credits:30

 A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.  

Ethics Electives

Select at least one course from the following:
BC 601Responsible Conduct in Biochemistry1
GRAD 544Ethical Conduct of Research1
MIP 554Research Policies and Regulations1
NSCI 575/GRAD 575Ethical Issues in Big Data Research1

 Cell and Molecular Biology Electives

A minimum of 8 credits of electives related to the student's research area are required. Some possible options are listed, but this list is not exhaustive.

AB 511Microbiome of Plant Systems3
ANEQ 505Microbiome of Animal Systems3
ANEQ 545Molecular Methods in Animal Genetics3
ANEQ 575Computational Biology in Animal Breeding3
BC 511Structural Biology I4
BC 563Molecular Genetics4
BC 565Molecular Regulation of Cell Function4
BC 571Quantitative Biochemistry1
BC 611Structural Biology II2
BC 663Gene Expression2
BC 665AAdvanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Microscopic Methods2
BIOM 525/MECH 525Cell and Tissue Engineering3
BIOM 533/CIVE 533Biomolecular Tools for Engineers3
BMS 500Mammalian Physiology I4
BMS 501Mammalian Physiology II4
BZ 565/MIP 565Next Generation Sequencing Platform/Libraries1
BZ 570Molecular Aspects of Plant Development3
BZ 576/BZ 476Genetics of Model Organisms4
CBE 560Engineering of Protein Expression Systems3
DSCI 511Genomics Data Analysis in Python2
DSCI 512RNA-Sequencing Data Analysis1
MIP 530Advanced Molecular Virology4
MIP 543RNA Biology3
MIP 545Microbial Metagenomics/Genomics Data Analysis2
MIP 670Molecular Immunology and Immunogenetics3
MIP 730/ERHS 730Principles of Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting2
NB 501Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology2
NB 503/BMS 503Developmental Neurobiology3
1

Minimum 1 credit for each CM 595 and CM 699, with additional credits as needed to bring degree total to 30 credits, with approval of the graduate advisory committee.

2

 CM 792 and CM 793  must be taken every academic year.

3

At least 8 credits in regular graduate-level courses relevant to Cell & Molecular Biology, with approval of the graduate advisory committee.

Effective Fall 2024

Required Courses:
CM 510Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology1
CM 544/MIP 544Reproducible Biomedical Research Methods3
CM 595Independent Study1-18
CM 792Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar 21-2
CM 793Seminar 21-2
Select one course from the following:4
BC 563
Molecular Genetics
BC 565
Molecular Regulation of Cell Function
Ethics Elective (see list below)1
Electives 34-12
Program Total Credits:30

A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.

Ethics Electives

Select at least one course from the following:
BC 601Responsible Conduct in Biochemistry1
GRAD 544Ethical Conduct of Research1
MIP 554Research Policies and Regulations1
NSCI 575/GRAD 575Ethical Issues in Big Data Research1

Cell and Molecular Biology Electives

A minimum of 8 credits of electives related to the student's research area are required. Some possible options are listed, but this list is not exhaustive.

AB 511Microbiome of Plant Systems3
ANEQ 505Microbiome of Animal Systems3
ANEQ 545Molecular Methods in Animal Genetics3
ANEQ 575Computational Biology in Animal Breeding3
BC 511Structural Biology I4
BC 563Molecular Genetics4
BC 565Molecular Regulation of Cell Function4
BC 571Quantitative Biochemistry1
BC 611Structural Biology II2
BC 663Gene Expression2
BC 665AAdvanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Microscopic Methods2
BIOM 525/MECH 525Cell and Tissue Engineering3
BIOM 533/CIVE 533Biomolecular Tools for Engineers3
BMS 500Mammalian Physiology I4
BMS 501Mammalian Physiology II4
BZ 565/MIP 565Next Generation Sequencing Platform/Libraries1
BZ 570Molecular Aspects of Plant Development3
BZ 576/BZ 476Genetics of Model Organisms4
CBE 560Engineering of Protein Expression Systems3
DSCI 511Genomics Data Analysis in Python2
DSCI 512RNA-Sequencing Data Analysis1
MIP 530Advanced Molecular Virology4
MIP 543RNA Biology3
MIP 545Microbial Metagenomics/Genomics Data Analysis2
MIP 670Molecular Immunology and Immunogenetics3
MIP 730/ERHS 730Principles of Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting2
NB 501Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology2
NB 503/BMS 503Developmental Neurobiology3
1

Minimum 1 credit for CM 595, with additional credits as needed to bring degree total to 30 credits, with approval of the graduate advisory committee.

2

CM 792 and CM 793  must be taken every year.

3

At least 8 credits in regular graduate level courses relevant to Cell & Molecular Biology, with approval of the graduate advisory committee.

For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

NOTE:  Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.

Forms are available online.

Step Due Date
1. Application for admission (online) Six months before first registration
2. Diagnostic examination when required Before first registration
3. Appointment of advisor Before first registration
4. Selection of graduate committee Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) Two terms prior to final examination
7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) Within two working days after results are known
8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) When change is made
9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee
11. Final examination Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website.
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
15. Graduation Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website