Degree Requirements

Master of Arts. The master’s degree is only granted under special circumstances. The student must have the approval of the graduate adviser.

Doctor of Philosophy. The doctoral degree program requires the student to accomplish creative, independent research and to document the research in a scholarly dissertation. In preparation, the student must acquire a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular genetics, and cell biology, and a working knowledge of the area of biology in which he or she intends to conduct research. This preparation is provided by the core courses and electives required for the master’s degree. The student must earn a grade of at least B- in each core course. To be admitted to candidacy for the degree, the student must formulate a feasible research program and pass a qualifying examination.

Dual Degree Program

Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Medicine

The graduate program in cell and molecular biology participates in a dual degree program with the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). Applicants must apply separately to and be admitted to both the PhD program in cell and molecular biology at the University of Texas at Austin and the medical school at UTMB; this program is not accepting new applications. Students accepted into the dual degree program spend their first two years in the medical school at UTMB, followed by three to four years of doctoral work at UT Austin and eighteen months of clinical rotations. The degrees are conferred separately by each institution. Additional information may be found at the MD-PhD dual degree program Web site .