The graduate program in cell and developmental biology (CDB)
offers both doctoral (Ph.D.) and master of science (M.S.) degrees and is part of a diverse, interactive community
of biological scientists working at various units at Rutgers, including Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, among others. The graduate program has
approximately 140 faculty members with research that spans
the broad fields of molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology, genetics,
neurobiology, and developmental biology. Researchers draw upon diverse
experimental systems ranging from tissue culture, invertebrates, and humans.
The goal of the program is to provide a challenging and rewarding environment
in which students can develop fully their research skills for future careers in
academia or in biotech/pharma.
Applicants for the Ph.D. are admitted through an umbrella
program, the Joint Program in Molecular Biosciences (MBS). Molecular biosciences manages admissions
and first-year courses for Ph.D. students (see listing for MBS in this catalog).
Applicants desiring the M.S. apply
directly to the CDB graduate program.
The Ph.D.
requirements include a set of first-year core courses, encompassing a broad
range of biological topics. In addition, a series of seminar courses designed
to enhance critical thinking and experimental design are incorporated into the
first-year curriculum. At the end of the first year and going forward, students
are required to conduct laboratory research, pass parts I and II of the
qualifying examination, and write and defend a research dissertation. All Ph.D.
students will receive a competitive stipend, health benefits, and tuition
remission for the duration of their graduate studies, provided that academic
standards are met and progress toward a Ph.D. is maintained.
The M.S.
requirements include a minimum of 30 credits. Students may select either a
research thesis or nonresearch thesis program of study. All students must
maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better to remain in the
program. For further information, visit the CDB website.For more information about
M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in this program, see the beginning of this chapter. For
a detailed listing of the program faculty, degree requirements, and course
offerings, visit the CDB and the MBS website. The application deadline for the
Ph.D. program is December 1 and the deadline for the M.S. program is April
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