Requirements
Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Graduate Program Requirements
An incoming CMMB student is advised by a Graduate Education Committee (GEC) member in the programmatic requirements and in the selection of courses for the first semester (and for the second if an Advisory Committee has not yet been formed and coursework approved). All CMMB PhD students have a common set of requirements: students must take a total of 60 semester credits, including 20 semester credits of courses (includes any course other than Dissertation and Research), which must include at least three 3-credit (or more) graduate courses at the 500 or 600 level. All CMMB MS students also have a common set of requirements: students must take a total of 30 semester credits, including 20 semester credits of courses (includes any course other than Thesis and Research); at least half of the credits toward the degree must be at the 500 or 600 level.
In addition to these common requirements, each option has its own prerequisites and suggested curricula (see below). PhD students who already have MS degrees in a related field may apply some of the MS coursework toward the PhD degree (as determined by the Advisory Committee). Students should be aware that additional coursework might be required at the discretion of the Advisory Committee. Furthermore, students must take:
- MS/PhD: Four credits of Professional Seminar (BCH/BIOM 594) or a seminar series course in another program as approved by the student’s Advisory Committee.
(An additional four credits in a seminar course can be counted toward PhD degree requirements.) - MS: Two credits of Experimental Microbial Ecology (BIOM 546) or Exp Molec Cell & Chemical Bio (BIOB 547).
PhD: Four credits of Experimental Microbial Ecology (BIOM 546) or Exp Molec Cell & Chemical Bio (BIOB 547).
(Students are required to attend one of these “Data Club” courses, or a suitable alternative, throughout their tenure on campus.) - MS: One credit of Introduction to Research (BCH/BIOM 570).
PhD: Two credits of Introduction to Research (BCH/BIOM 570).
In addition to coursework, all PhD students must teach at least one semester (typically as a Graduate Teaching Assistant) and must rotate in at least two research laboratories. The requirement for a second research rotation can be waived by request of the GEC or Advisory Committee and by majority vote of approval from the CMMB faculty if the student enters the doctoral program with a Masters degree or extensive prior research experience.
Tips for graduate students registering for classes:
Graduate students must register for between 9-12 credits. 9 credits is the minimum. (A special exception is allowed for students who wish to obtain residency in Montana: please contact the Graduate School.)
To determine course number for Research Credits, go to the Course Search
Select the appropriate term and next to subject put either BCH (Biochemistry) or BIOM (Biology-Microbiology) and put ”Research” for the title, then press the “search” button.
Individual faculty members act as Instructors for courses numbered 570 (Intro to Research; for first-year students) or 597 (Research).