Why MCDB?

We are a cutting-edge student-centered interdisciplinary doctoral training program in the molecular life sciences.  With more than 200 mentoring faculty spanning 5 colleges and more than a dozen departments including multiple centers and institutes, students that enter our program have unparalleled options across the breadth of molecular life science research, from basic to translational.  We are proud of our collegial, inclusive and supportive culture which is focused on developing our students as critical and independent thinkers trained in state-of-art scientific approaches.

Some highlights:

• Established in 1970
• Student-centered philosophy
• Outstanding and accessible faculty
• Highly collegial and collaborative environment
• State-of-the-art research facilities
• All students are appointed as Graduate Research Associates
• All students receive a competitive annual stipend ($33,960 in 2024-25)
• Tuition and fees waived, both in-state and out-of-state
• Comprehensive student health plan
• Faculty mentor for each first-year student
• First-year laboratory rotations
• Choice of labs in Colleges and Departments across the entire campus
• Rigorous core curriculum
• Required mentoring and grant writing courses
• More than 90 approved graduate-level electives
• Active and engaged student organization
• Social and scientific events throughout the year