MCB is a truly interdisciplinary department and faculty interests include cancer biology, cell biology, computational biology and bioinformatics, developmental biology, epigenetics, evolution, functional genetics and genomics, systems biology, astrobiology/origin of life, and science education.
The Department places an emphasis on ensuring significant interactions with faculty and fostering a supportive environment for students to develop their interests. MCB faculty have close collaborations with many other departments on campus, creating a unique interdisciplinary environment that has allowed MCB to attract some of the top students in the country. MCB faculty Dr. Joyce Schroeder shares her tips on choosing the right graduate program, and how to know if UA MCB might be the right choice for you.
Ph.D. Degree Programs
MCB PhD students are part of the interdepartmental and interdisciplinary Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (BMCB), with an NIH-supported T32 training grant that links the MCB and Biochemistry research faculty. Coursework is tailored specifically to student interests. Learn more about the program at the BMCB graduate program's website!
Students interested in the PhD in BMCB and/or MCB with Science Education programs apply through the Arizona Biological and Biomedical Sciences (ABBS) portal, an umbrella graduate program on campus.
Master's Degree Programs
MCB Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)
This one-year program provides an opportunity for current undergraduate students to acquire a Master's degree by adding an additional year to their studies.
Professional Science Master's Degree in Applied Biosciences, GIDP (Graduate Interdisciplinary Program)
This 2-year curriculum is designed to prepare students to enter a competitive scientific workforce in industry, government, or academia. The program consists of both classroom-based and hands-on practical training in various areas of applied biosciences.