The graduate program in Cell and Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary degree-granting program that involves over 100 faculty members from 17 departments and 6 colleges who share common interests in cell and molecular biology. The PhD program includes core coursework in molecular genetics and cell biology and rigorous and reproducible research. Elective courses cover specialized areas, including grant writing, ethical conduct of research and statistics. Two alternating graduate seminar series allow students to present their research and to attend presentations by CSU faculty and nationally prominent scientists. Core courses typically are completed during the first year and most students advance to candidacy by the end of their 5th semester. The PhD degree can generally be completed within five years. There is an option to include a Cancer Biology Specialization.
Most students admitted to the PhD program rotate through three laboratories in their first year to identify a PhD advisor. 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 a welcoming culture for all.
Students interested in this program should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin or visit the Cell and Molecular Biology website for further details.
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.
Upon successful completion of the Ph.D. program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply detailed state-of-the-art knowledge of the molecular processes by which genetic material is replicated, expressed, and regulated [molecular biology] 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.
- 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.
- Derive and synthesize knowledge from peer-reviewed publications.
- Collaborate effectively with others in the design and execution of research and other projects.
- Independently design, execute, analyze, and document rigorous and reproducible cell and molecular biology experiments.
- Maintain high standards for conduct of rigorous, reproducible, and ethically sound research.
- Demonstrate technical mastery of laboratory/computational approaches.
- Communicate research orally to specialist and general audiences.
- Compose publication-quality scientific manuscripts in the field of cell and molecular biology, based on research findings or literature review.
- Formulate novel hypotheses based on prior published research and/or their own discoveries and design rigorous and ethically sound experiments to test them.
- Apply appropriate statistical tests to generate and analyze data and determine statistical and biological relevance.
- Demonstrate skills such as leadership, management, teaching and mentoring to support future careers beyond academia.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CM 510 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | 1 |
| CM 544/MIP 544 | Reproducible Biomedical Research Methods | 3 |
| CM 792 | Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar 1, 2 | 8-20 |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | ||
| Independent Study, Dissertation and Supervised College Teaching (select a minimum of 6 credits): | 6-30 | |
| Supervised College Teaching 2 | ||
| Independent Study 2 | ||
| Dissertation 2 | ||
| Ethics Elective (see list below) | 1-3 | |
| Statistics Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| Topics Elective (see list below) | 1 | |
| Writing Elective (see list below) | 1 | |
| Cell & Molecular Biology Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Master's Degree Credit (a maximum of 30 credits may be accepted from a master's degree) 4 | 30 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
Ethics Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least one course from the following: | ||
| BC 601 | Responsible Conduct in Biochemistry | 1 |
| GRAD 544 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
| MIP 554 | Research Policies and Regulations | 1 |
| NSCI 575/GRAD 575 | Ethical Issues in Big Data Research (preferred course) | 1 |
Statistics Electives
A minimum of 3 credits are required. This list is not exhaustive.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ERHS 535 | R Programming for Research | 3 |
| ERHS 537A | R Programming: Research I | 1 |
| ERHS 537B | R Programming: Research II | 2 |
| ERHS 544/STAT 544 | Biostatistical Methods for Quantitative Data | 3 |
| STAR 501 | Data Wrangling/Visualization for Researchers | 2 |
| STAR 502 | Multivariate Analysis for Researchers | 2 |
| STAR 511 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | 4 |
| STAR 512 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | 4 |
| STAR 513 | Regression Models for Researchers | 2 |
| STAR 514 | Experimental Design/Analysis for Researchers | 2 |
| STAR 531 | Generalized Regression Models for Researchers | 2 |
| STAR 532 | Mixed Models for Researchers | 2 |
| STAR 534 | Machine Learning for Researchers | 2 |
| STAT 540 | Data Analysis and Regression | 3 |
| VS 562 | Clinical Research Design and Data Analysis | 3 |
Topics Electives
Topics Electives provide guided practice in reading, interpreting, and critiquing scientific literature relevant to the field of Cell & Molecular Biology. A minimum of 1 credit is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Course: | ||
| CM 700 | Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature | 1 |
| Courses that may substitute for CM 700 (select in consultation with advisor): | ||
| BMS 796A/NB 796C | Group Study: Topics in Neuroscience | 1-4 |
| BMS 796B | Group Study: Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 1-18 |
| BMS 796C | Group Study: Reproductive Physiology | 1-18 |
| BSPM 502B | Topics in Plant Pathology- Plant Bacteriology | 1 |
| FSHN 650A | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Topics in Community Nutrition | 2 |
| FSHN 650B | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Functional Foods and Phytochemicals | 2 |
| FSHN 650C | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Precision Nutrition | 2 |
| MIP 700 | Topics in Microbiology | 1 |
| SOCR 730 | Topics in Plant Breeding and Genetics | 1 |
Writing Electives
A minimum of 1 credit is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BC 701 | Grant Proposal Writing and Reviewing | 1 |
| BSPM 530/SOCR 530 | Scientific Writing | 1 |
| BZ 544 | Presenting Research in Biology | 2 |
| HES 700 | Professional Skills in Bioenergetics | 3 |
| MIP 643 | Grant Writing for Microbiology/Pathology | 1 |
| MIP 666 | Writing Scientific Manuscripts | 3 |
| NB 771 | Writing, Submitting, and Reviewing Grants | 1 |
Cell & Molecular Biology Electives
A minimum of 3 credits of electives related to the student's research area are required. Some possible options are listed, but this list is not exhaustive.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AB 511 | Microbiome of Plant Systems | 3 |
| ANEQ 505 | Microbiome of Animal Systems | 3 |
| ANEQ 545 | Molecular Methods in Animal Genetics | 3 |
| ANEQ 575 | Computational Biology in Animal Breeding | 3 |
| BC 511 | Structural Biology I | 4 |
| BC 563 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BC 565 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | 4 |
| BC 571 | Quantitative Biochemistry | 1 |
| BC 611 | Structural Biology II | 2 |
| BC 663 | Gene Expression | 2 |
| BC 665A | Advanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Microscopic Methods | 2 |
| BZ 565/MIP 565 | Next Generation Sequencing Platform/Libraries | 1 |
| BIOM 525/MECH 525 | Cell and Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| BIOM 533/CIVE 533 | Biomolecular Tools for Engineers | 3 |
| BMS 500 | Mammalian Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 501 | Mammalian Physiology II | 4 |
| BZ 570 | Molecular Aspects of Plant Development | 3 |
| CBE 560 | Engineering of Protein Expression Systems | 3 |
| DSCI 511 | Genomics Data Analysis in Python | 2 |
| DSCI 512 | RNA-Sequencing Data Analysis | 1 |
| MIP 543 | RNA Biology | 3 |
| MIP 545 | Microbial Metagenomics/Genomics Data Analysis | 2 |
| MIP 730/ERHS 730 | Principles of Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting | 2 |
| NB 503/BMS 503 | Developmental Neurobiology | 3 |
| NB 501 | Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology | 2 |
- 1
CM 792 must be taken every semester.
- 2
Students must complete at least one credit from each CM 795 and CM 799, and select enough independent study, dissertation, seminar, and other elective course credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 72 credits, with approval of graduate advisory committee. Supervised College Teaching credits (CM 784 or equivalent) may also be applied to the degree.
- 3
Course selection depends on each student's focus within Cell & Molecular Biology and must be approved by the student's graduate advisory committee.
- 4
An MS degree is not required. Students who do not have an MS degree will complete 30 additional credits including independent study, and elective classes to bring the total number of credits to 72.
Non-Coursework Requirements
Lab Rotations - Students admitted as teaching assistants identify and complete up to four short term research experiences in different labs to explore projects and mentorship styles prior to picking a lab for their dissertation project. Students admitted directly into a lab do not generally participate in rotations.
Preliminary Examination - Written and oral examination focused on the student's research project must be completed by the end of the 5th semester in order to advance to candidacy. The student submits a research proposal based on their planned and completed research and also develops an independent aim. The student's advisory committee conducts the examination which assesses foundational knowledge as well as in depth understanding of the project and research area. Detailed instructions are found in the Program Policies & Procedures posted on the CMB website.
Dissertation and Defense - PhD candidates must complete and document a substantial independent research project that contributes new knowledge to the field. A project proposal is approved by the advisory committee within one year of joining a laboratory. Upon completion of the data collection and analysis portion of the project the student prepares a dissertation which is presented publicly at the Oral Defense. Following the public presentation, the advisory committee conducts additional examination in a closed Q&A session. Detailed instructions are found in the Program Policies & Procedures posted on the CMB website.
Publication - A first author manuscript describing research performed during the PhD must be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal prior to graduation. Publication to a pre-print server is encouraged, but cannot meet this requirement on its own.
Progress Reports - The student must prepare an annual report describing plans and progress and submit to their committee for review at least one week prior to the annual committee meeting. This report must be approved by the committee and submitted to the CMB Program Office within one week following the meeting. Failure to meet this requirement can result in a hold on registration.
Internships - Internships are not required but are allowed with approval of the advisor and committee.
Teaching & Mentoring - Teaching and mentoring are not required but are encouraged and credit for Supervised College Teaching (CM784 or equivalent) may be applied to the degree as an elective replacing Independent Study (CM795). A graduate teaching certificate is offered through The Institute for Teaching and Learning.
Teamwork - Students are expected to work collaboratively on projects when appropriate.
Conference Presentation - Students are expected to present their research findings at local, national and/or international conferences annually after the first year.
Grant Writing - In addition to fulfilling the writing elective coursework requirement, students are encouraged to apply for funding from both external and internal agencies.
Professional Development - All students complete an individual development plan annually to identify and build expertise in areas not covered by the required curriculum (such as leadership, project management, science policy etc). This plan is discussed with the advisor, committee members and others able to facilitate the desired outcomes.
Field and Department Specific Activities - Cell & Molecular Biology students conduct their research under the mentorship of faculty in a wide range of departments and research focus areas. They are strongly encouraged to actively participate in field- and department-specific seminars, colloquia, events and activities with the support of their advisor and 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 |