The MCB is an interdisciplinary program leading to a Ph.D. degree. Although the focus of the Program is on research training and intellectual development leading to this degree, in some circumstances students may wish to combine additional training with the MCB Ph.D. Program. The options listed below are approved for MCB students. However, additional joint programs or degrees may be pursued by receiving approval from the MCB Directors. After the first year in the MCB program, when the student begins coursework in an optional program, MCB will not support tuition costs for these programs. For instance, the MCB Program does not subsidize tuition for over two credits during Summer Quarters.
Concurrent Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) PhD/ Epidemiology MS Program
The purpose of this program is to give MCB graduate students the opportunity to obtain an M.S. degree in Epidemiology concurrently with their Ph.D. degree. There has been increasing interest in training basic scientists to have a deeper understanding of the growing field of Molecular Epidemiology. The goal of this program is to train basic scientists who will be well versed in modern epidemiological research methodologies, which should broaden their abilities to obtain positions at academic research institutions as well as in industry. This will involve approximately four additional quarters in graduate school. A stipend for achieving the M.S. degree will be offered through an NIH interdisciplinary training grant.
The Master of Business Administration (Joint MBA) Program offered at the Bothell campus allows students to pursue a business degree while enrolled in the MCB program. Students are responsible for the additional tuition charged for the MBA degree.
Many of the students who receive their scientific graduate training in MCB will seek and find jobs in the biotechnology and medical device industries. Most students in our graduate program, however, have not been exposed to industrial research or to opportunities for future employment. In response to this need, we have established a student externship program in coordination with several companies in the Puget Sound area. Because of the natural flux within the biotechnology domain, each year some companies drop out of participation and are replaced by others.
MCB students are encouraged to apply to participate in this program in the early spring. Applications are reviewed by the Externship Program Director, Dr. Randall Moon, and then submitted to participating companies in hopes of finding a match. This Externship is available only during the first summer in the MCB Program to students who have completed 3 rotations and identified a dissertation laboratory. Students are supported by MCB for the summer quarter.
For more information, contact Terry Duffey (tduffey@uw.edu).
The Molecular Medicine Training Program (MMTP) at the University of Washington is designed to train Ph.D. researchers to use advances in basic sciences to solve problems relevant to human disease; and, conversely, to use insights from human disease processes to solve fundamental biological problems. Training in Molecular Medicine incorporates three key elements: case-based courses, clinical exposure, and dual mentorship of Ph.D. research.
The University of Washington Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) is committed to the ethical pursuit of basic research to unleash the enormous potential of stem cells and thereby develop therapies and cures. This institute integrates research efforts at the UW, FHCRC and Children’s Hospital. More than half of the ISCRM researchers are also MCB Program faculty.
