General Course Information

Overview of Coursework in CMB

Formal coursework is taken during the first two years. To ensure that all CMB students have a consistent and broad foundation in key subject areas, students in CMB take coursework in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics. To complete the remainder of the course requirements, appropriate courses available throughout the University are determined individually based on each student’s background. CMB students choose these elective courses according to their own specific interests. In addition, during the first year, all CMB students take the PIBS course “Research Responsibility and Ethics”. During the second year and beyond, CMB students also attend CMB Student Seminars and CMB Short Courses.

Basic Coursework

1. Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics: Three credits of coursework in each of these three areas are required. Note that no specific course is required, and that CMB students can take any of a variety of graduate-level courses at the University to fulfill each of these subject requirements.

2. Electives: Students choose six elective credits from a wide array of available graduate courses. Courses offered by PIBS programs are listed in the PIBS Curriculum Guide. Other University courses may be taken according to each student’s interests.

3. Research responsibility: One credit (PIBS 501/503). This course is specifically designed for graduate students in biomedical sciences and includes lecture material with sample cases covering each of several broad major areas, including: (a) data collection, storage and ownership, (b) animal and human subjects, (c) scientific misconduct, (d) conflict of interest, (e) women, minorities and cross-cultural issues in science, and (f) gene and drug patenting. Problem cases are discussed in small groups.

CMB Courses

1. CMB Student Seminar (CMB 850). Mondays, 12:00-1:00 pm (one credit per semester). CMB students present seminars on their research or findings in the literature.

2. Short course (CMB 630). Minisymposium on a topic selected by students and presented by invited leaders in the field (4-5 sessions per semester; students register for 4 semesters total).

Research Rotations

At least two semesters of rotations in at least two labs.

Sample Curricula

Representative programs for a CMB student interested in cancer biology, developmental biology, immunology or signal transduction are provided here.

For MSTP fellows, CMB recognizes the contribution of some medical school coursework to their graduate education and individualizes their curricula accordingly.