CMB Graduate Program

Overview:

The Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a specialization within the larger umbrella graduate program in Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES; website: http://cels.uri.edu/home/BES.aspx). The CMB graduate program represents a broad, cutting-edge approach to the molecular basis of the life sciences and their application to medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, and the environment. Two research-based graduate degrees are offered: a M.S. in BES with a specialization in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Ph.D. in BES with a specialization in Cell and Molecular Biology. Research interests within the CMB goup are diverse and include (but are not limited to) the study of the molecular origins of cancer, the molecular basis for bacterial pathogenesis, the roles of microbial consortia in the marine environment and in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, T-cell immunology and vaccine development, vector-borne disease, and the genetic modification of switchgrasses for biofuel production. A complete description of all faculty research interests may be found under the listings of the CMB faculty.

Admission Requirements:

Admission requirements include the Graduate Record Examination general test and a bachelor's degree in a field of science or engineering including at least two semesters each of biological sciences, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and mathematics including at least one semester each of calculus, biochemistry, and genetics. Applicants may be admitted with deficiencies, which must be made up without program credit. The M.S. degree is not required to enroll in the Ph.D. program.

International applicants usually are required to submit TOEFL scores, please see the Graduate School website (http://www.uri.edu/gsadmis/gs_apply_int.htm) for additional information for international applicants.

Application Procedure:

Applications must be submitted using the on-line application available through the Graduate School website - http://www.uri.edu/gsadmis/index.html.

Curriculum:

The Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology is comprised of a core set of upper-level courses in Biochemistry and Microbiology to be taken during the first two semesters of enrollment. Students subsequently chose from one of three areas of specialization, referred to as tracks, as follows:

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Molecular Genetics

Laboratory Rotations:

Approximately 2 weeks into their first (Fall) semester, CMB graduate students will select two (M.S. program) or three (Ph.D. program) laboratories in which to perform five-week research rotations. Following the completion of the research rotations graduate students select a laboratory in which to complete their research thesis project. New students who are supported by a research assistantship are exempt from this requirement.

CMB Graduate Faculty and Research Interests:

Faculty Members of Graduate Program in BES-CMB (Listed by department affiliation)

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Joel M. Chandlee, Professor
• Paul S. Cohen, Professor
• Niall G. Howlett, Assistant Professor
• Linda A. Hufnagel, Professor
• Bethany D. Jenkins, Assistant Professor
• Albert P. Kausch, Professor
• Lenore M. Martin, Associate Professor
• David R. Nelson, Professor and Graduate Director of CMB
• Gregory E. Paquette, Professor
• Gongqin Sun, Professor
• Annie de Groot, Research Professor
• Leonard Moise, Research Assistant Professor
• Alan Rothman, Research Professor
• Denice Spero, Research Professor

• Biological Sciences
• Goldsmith, Marian R. ,Professor and Chair
• Irvine, Steven Q. ,Associate Professor
• Kass-Simon, Gabriele ,Professor
• Lane, Chris ,Assistant Professor
• Norris, Joanna Hanks ,Associate Professor
• Roberts, Alison W. ,Professor

• Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science
• Terence M. Bradley ,Professor
• Marta Gomez-Chiarri ,Professor
• Becky L. Sartini ,Assistant Professor

• Center for Vector-Borne Disease/TickEncounter Resource Center
• Thomas Mather ,Professor
• http://www.tickencounter.org/

• Nutrition and Food Science
• Leonard E. Gerber ,Associate Professor

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Is there a minimum GRE score that is required for admission to the program?
   No, there is no set minimum score; however, admission is quite competitive and GRE scores are considered and evaluated as part of the admission process.
2. Is there a minimum grade point average (GPA) required for admission to the program?
   No, there is no minimum GPA required; however, as indicated above, admission is quite competitive. Grades do indicate important information about the applicant to the admissions committee.
3. What is the deadline for the receipt of completed applications?
   The deadline for the receipt of completed applications is February 1 for admission to the Fall semester.
4. Do we accept late applications?
   No, complete applications must be submitted by the deadline, February 1.
5. Do we accept applications for the Spring semester?
   No.
6. Will we provide a pre-application evaluation of an applicant?
   No, we only evaluate completed applications. However, students are urged to speak with their academic advisors at their current or previous institution about application for graduate study.
7. May applicants contact faculty members?
   Certainly, we welcome student inquiries about our research and the graduate program. Specific questions concerning admissions and the graduate program should be directed to the Graduate Program Director.
8. What is the percentage of applicants admitted to the program?
   The percentage and number of admitted applicants varies over time. However, over the last several years about 20% of applicants are admitted to the graduate program.
9. Is there financial aid available to graduate students in the CMB program?
   Yes, most incoming graduate students are supported by teaching assistantships (TAs). Once in a research lab, many graduate students are supported by research assistantships (RAs). RA support is dependent upon research grants awarded to faculty members. Occasionally, incoming graduate students are awarded RAs by interested faculty. Additionally, there are various fellowships for which individual students may apply.
10. How long will it take a student to complete the M.S. and Ph.D. programs?
    Typically, it will take 2 to 2.5 years to complete the degree requirements for the M.S. degree. This includes all coursework and thesis research. The time necessary to complete the Ph.D. (starting with B.S. degree) is about 5 years. This includes all course work and dissertation research.

Degree Requirements:

*Electives must be in relevant areas of study

Note: For M.S. students all courses taken for plan credit should be at the graduate level. At least half of the total plan course credits should be at the 500 or 600 level, i.e. usually 12 credits can be at the 400 level.

M.S. Degree Program requirements: A total of 30 credits is required – 21 coursework credits as outlined above for each track plus an additional 9 research credits (MIC/BCH599).

Ph.D. Degree Program requirements: A total of 72 credits is required (30 coursework credits; 42 research credits). Core courses are the same as the MS program. Of the credits earned beyond the master’s degree (42 credits), 9 credits (500-600 level) should be in coursework and 33 as research credits (MIC/BCH699).

Contact:

Dr. David R. Nelson,
Professor, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
University of Rhode Island
381 CBLS Building, 120 Flagg Road
Kingston, RI 02881