Track in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)
Director of Graduate Studies: Johnny Fares (fares@email.arizona.edu)
Description
The Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) subplan of the Professional Science Master’s in Applied Biosciences GIDP is designed for students who wish to possess a graduate-level education that integrates knowledge in the biological sciences, management, business, and law. Students graduating in this track will be prepared for professional careers in government, academia, or in industry in such fields as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, medical research, and agriculture.
The discipline of Molecular and Cellular Biology is the study of life processes. What types of activities are carried out by cells, and how do cells make these activities work? Our department aims for its students to develop a deep understanding of current ideas and problems in molecular and cellular biology and to build foundational skills in logic, reasoning, self-expression, and communication.
MCB researchers utilize model systems that allow them to query the most basic of questions about nature, whether they be at the molecular level, at the level of a cell or organism, or in the development of clinical application of new human disease therapies. Faculty with specializations in MCB represents a diverse group of faculty members' research interests including cancer biology, neurobiology, heart development and disease, plant development, evolutionary biology, cell signaling, gene expression, RNA biology, genetic networks and systems biology, and genome stability. Professional Science Master’s students in the MCB track will be able to select courses corresponding to these fields and other course work for the track, to tailor their studies to their personal preferences and career goals.
Curriculum
Core Science Courses (12 units)
MCB 516a Statistical Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis
MCB 546 Genetic and Molecular Networks
MCB 572 Cell Systems
MCB 573 Recombinant DNA Methods and applications
MCB 580 Introduction to Systems Biology
MCB 595a Journal Club & Seminar
BIOC 565 Proteins and Enzymes
BIOC 567 Computational Biophysics (spring 2013)
BIOC 585 Biological Structure
BIOC 568 Nucleic Acids (spring 2013)
CMM 556 Developmental Biology
CMM 577 Principles of Cell Biology
CBIO 552 Cancer Biology
CBIO 553 Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology
CBIO 589 Cancer Genetics
MATH 509cStatistics for Research
PLP 528 Microbial Genetics
Business Courses (12 units)
BNAD 510 Business Fundamentals for Scientists
ENGR 512a Management of Technology I
ENGR 512b Management of Technology II
LAW 655G Law and Science
LAW 664 Biotech Startup Co: Law, Science, and Business Issues
ENGR 567 Financial Modeling for Innovation
Internship/Directed Research (6-9 units)
ABS 593A Internship [contact Program Coordinator for registration]
Electives (3-6 units)
Includes any courses from the Business or Core Science courses.
Additional courses can be chosen by students in collaboration with their PSM committee.