The graduate program in Cell and Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary, degree-granting program that comprises over 100 faculty members from 16 departments and 5 colleges who share common interests in cell and molecular biology. The M.S. program includes a core of lecture courses in advanced molecular genetics, cell biology, laboratory research techniques, science communication, and ethical conduct of science. Students may also select additional courses in areas related to their interests. Each year, students also participate in a student seminar series in which they present on a topic connected to cell or molecular biology and a weekly seminar series with 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.
Current focus areas of research include, but are not limited to the following: Cancer Biology; Gene Expression; Genome Structure, Evolution & Repair; Infectious Disease; Metabolism & Physiology; Microbiomes; Plant Molecular Biology, Prions & Neurobiology; Stem Cells & Development; and Synthetic Biology. Students are encouraged to complete coursework in computational / quantitative approaches.
Students interested in this graduate program should refer to the Cell and Molecular Biology website for further details.
Effective Fall 2019
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BC 563 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BC 565 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | 4 |
| CM 510 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | 1 |
| CM 595 | Independent Study 1 | 1-3 |
| CM 699 | Thesis 1 | 1-4 |
| CM 792 | Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar 2 | 1-2 |
| CM 793 | Seminar 2 | 1-2 |
| GRAD 550 | STEM Communication | 1 |
| MIP 611 | Advanced Microbiological Research Methods | 4 |
| Ethics Elective (see list below) | 1-3 | |
| Electives 3 | 4-11 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
Ethics Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least one course from the following: | ||
| BC 601 | Responsible Conduct in Biochemistry | 1 |
| CM 601 | Responsible Conduct of Research in CMB | 1 |
| CM 666/PHIL 666 | Science and Ethics | 3 |
| GRAD 544 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
| MIP 654 | Research Policies and Regulations | 1 |
| NSCI 575/GRAD 575 | Ethical Issues in Big Data Research | 1 |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
| 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 their graduate advisory committee. |
| 2 | Student must take this course each year in spring or fall semester. |
| 3 | At least 4 credits in regular graduate-level courses, with approval of their graduate advisory committee. |
Effective Fall 2019
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BC 563 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BC 565 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | 4 |
| CM 510 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | 1 |
| CM 595 | Independent Study 1 | 1-4 |
| CM 792 | Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar 2 | 1-2 |
| CM 793 | Seminar 2 | 1-2 |
| GRAD 550 | STEM Communication | 1 |
| MIP 611 | Advanced Microbiological Research Methods | 4 |
| Ethics Elective (see list below) | 1-3 | |
| Electives 3 | 4-12 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
Ethics Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least one course from the following: | ||
| BC 601 | Responsible Conduct in Biochemistry | 1 |
| CM 601 | Responsible Conduct of Research in CMB | 1 |
| CM 666/PHIL 666 | Science and Ethics | 3 |
| GRAD 544 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
| MIP 654 | Research Policies and Regulations | 1 |
| NSCI 575/GRAD 575 | Ethical Issues in Big Data Research | 1 |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
| 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 | Students must take this course each year in spring or fall semester. |
| 3 | At least 4 credits in regular graduate level courses relevant to Cell & Molecular Biology, with approval of their graduate advisory committee. |