Molecular Cellular and Integrative Biosciences

The Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences (MCIB) program at The Pennsylvania State University is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in research, academia, industry, and healthcare involving the fundamental and applied aspects of biological sciences. This program offers students the opportunity to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular processes, the structural and functional analysis of biomolecules, and the integration of these components into complex biological systems. Through rigorous coursework, cutting-edge research, and collaborative learning environments, students develop a deep understanding of cell biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology, and systems biology. The program aims to foster innovation and critical thinking, equipping graduates with the skills necessary to tackle contemporary biological challenges such as disease mechanisms, drug development, and biotechnological advancements. Students can customize their educational experience through elective courses and research projects aligned with their academic and professional interests. The MCIB program benefits from state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, enabling students to engage in advanced experimental techniques including genomics, proteomics, microscopy, and bioinformatics. They are mentored by faculty experts who are leaders in their respective fields, providing guidance and support throughout their research endeavors. The program also emphasizes professional development, communication skills, and ethical research practices to prepare students for diverse career paths within academia, industry, and government agencies. Graduates of the MCIB program are well-equipped to contribute to scientific knowledge and technological innovation, making meaningful impacts in health, agriculture, environmental sciences, and beyond. Whether students aim to pursue doctoral studies or enter the workforce directly after completing their master’s or doctoral degrees, the program provides a comprehensive educational foundation to succeed in various scientific and biomedical fields.

1. Core Curriculum (Required of all Students in MCIBS):

Core Required Courses:

*Students in the BG Option are not required to complete BIOL 593 during their first semester, but are required to complete this course prior to undertaking the required semester of TA experience (see additional requirement below). 

2. Emphasis Areas: The IGDP in MCIBS offers curricular/research specializations in the following Emphasis Areas:

• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Immunology and Infectious Disease
• Molecular and Evolutionary Genetics
• Molecular Medicine
• Molecular Toxicology  

Specialized Courses and Research for Emphasis Areas: To complete an emphasisin any of the areas listed above, students take a minimum of 9 credits of specialized coursework, in addition to the required Core and Additional courses (indicated above and below, respectively), and conduct original research associated with the respective Emphasis Area. Specialized courses for each Emphasis Area are listed on the IGDP in MCIBS website [program URL to be inserted once the website has been finalized. Note to curricular reviewers: Appendix B contains a general outline of the curricular information specific to each Emphasis Area that will appear on the website].

3. Bioinformatics and Genomics (BG) Option: The IGDP in MCIBS also offers an option in Bioinformatics and Genomics. In addition to the Core required courses described above, to complete an Option in Bioinformatics and Genomics, students must take a minimum of prescribed course work and conduct original research associated with Bioinformatics and Genomics. Prescribed courses for the BG Option for students at University Park and in the College of Medicine are listed in #4 below.

Students admitted to the BG option will be tested for their knowledge in STAT 500-Applied Statistics (3 credits), BIOL 405-Molecular Evolution (3 credits) and BMMB 852-Applied Bioinformatics (2 credits). Those found deficient will be required to register for these courses (UP) or equivalent courses (HY) during the first 18 months in the program.

4. Additional Course Requirements:

"Base” Program (All Emphasis Areas):

MCIBS/BIOL/BMMB/VB SC 503 Critical Elements of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (4 credits)
(taken the first semester in the program)

Quantitative Foundation Course (> 3 credits): 400- or 500-level courses in a quantitative area such as statistics, genetics, bioinformatics, etc. (e.g., STAT 501 Regression Methods; STAT 502 Analysis of Variance and Design of Experiments; STAT 503 Design of Experiments; Population Genetics; etc. - See emphasis area course lists for specific suggestions [program URL to be inserted once the website has been finalized]).

Prescribed Base Program Credits: 7

Specialized Courses -To complete an emphasis in any of the areas listed above, students take a minimum of 9 credits of specialized coursework in the respective Emphasis Area. Specialized courses for each Emphasis Area are listed on the IGDP in MCIBS web site [program URL to be inserted once the website has been finalized. Note to curricular reviewers: Appendix B contains a general outline of the curricular information specific to each Emphasis Area that will appear on the website].

Specialized Course Credits: 9

Total Additional Credits: 16

MINIMUM TOTAL COURSE CREDITS
(CORE PLUS ADDITIONAL): 24

Option in Bioinformatics and Genomics (Prescribed Option-Specific Courses):

• IBIOS/BMMB 551 Genomics (3 credits)
• IBIOS 541 Critical Analysis of Bioinformatics and Genomics Research Topics (1 credit per offering; 2 credits required) IBIOS/BIOL/STAT 555. Statistical Analysis of Genomics Data (3 credits) 
• IBIOS/BMMB 554 Foundations in Data Driven Life Sciences (3 credits)

Prescribed Option-Specific Credits: 11

Elective Courses – In addition to the above prescribed courses, students electing the BG Option in MCIBS must take > 5 credits of 400- or 500-level elective courses relevant to their research and career interests from an extensive list (see the BG Graduate Student Handbook), contingent upon approval in advance by their adviser and doctoral committee, in consultation with the BG Option Director. Available elective courses may vary from year to year.

Elective Course Credits: 5

Total Additional Credits: 16

MINIMUM TOTAL COURSE CREDITS (CORE PLUS ADDITIONAL): 24

5. Teaching Experience - All graduate students in MCIBS are required to have one semester of teaching experience by serving as a teaching assistant (TA) in an undergraduate course (400-level or lower) in a bioscience-related field. Teaching assistant opportunities are arranged in consultation with the adviser and program chair.

1. Completed official Penn State Graduate School application (online).
2. Paid, nonrefundable application fee (see Requirements for Graduate Admission for current fee).
3. Two official transcripts from each institution attended.
4. Application for a U.S. visa (international applicants only).
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test; successful applicants generally have scores above the 75th percentile for each of the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections.
6. Names and contact information, including business email addresses, for three references.
7. Statement of goals that pertain to the life sciences including motivation for pursuing a research doctorate; research experience and interests; and professional goals. The statement should include biological problems that are of interest to the applicant and how the applicant’s past experiences have prepared him or her to pursue this research.
8. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 575 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 90 with a 21 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Successful applicants generally have a minimum score of 100 (with a 23 on the speaking section) on the Internet-based test. Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 20 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) with attainment of a grade of B or higher. The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a graduate degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.
9. An applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates. Successful applicants generally will have completed coursework in biochemistry, molecular and/or cell biology, physics, chemistry (organic and inorganic), and calculus have a minimum 3.5/4.0 Jr./Sr. undergraduate grade point average.

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Scholarships

Assistantships

The most common form of graduate support, teaching and research assistantships, include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. Recipients are assigned to a faculty adviser who supervises the experience. Graduate assistants support undergraduate instruction or undertake research projects. A specified time commitment of 10-30 hours per week is required depending on the unit (a half-time/20 hour per week commitment is typical). Appointments are available only to graduate students who are registered for courses and enrolled in degree programs.

Fellowships

Fellowships are highly prestigious financial support packages that typically include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. They derive from University or outside awards. Unlike assistantships, they do not have a required work commitment; they are duty-free. Recipients must be enrolled in degree programs and be registered full time. Fellowship recipients are not permitted to accept employment without obtaining approval from the unit and/or agency supporting the fellowship.

Traineeships

Training grants are derived from agencies outside the University and are intended to support specific student learning experiences in core curricular areas and research methods. Institutional awards, typically under the direction of a faculty principal investigator, afford funding to support selected students with stipends, tuition grants-in-aid, and often include a subsidy for medical insurance.

The Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences program at The Pennsylvania State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental biological processes that underlie life at the molecular and cellular levels. This interdisciplinary program combines coursework, research, and hands-on laboratory experiences to prepare students for careers in research, academia, industry, or healthcare. Students in this program explore a diverse range of topics including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, and systems biology, enabling them to understand complex biological systems and their applications. The program emphasizes developing critical thinking, experimental design, and data analysis skills essential for scientific inquiry. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, collaborating with faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. The curriculum integrates coursework with individual or group research projects, often culminating in a thesis or a comprehensive research paper. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to pursue advanced degrees or enter professional fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare industries. Additionally, the program fosters a collaborative learning environment that encourages interdisciplinary interactions and support networks among students and faculty. Through seminars, workshops, and conferences, students are also exposed to current advances and emerging trends in biosciences. The program aims to produce scientists and professionals capable of addressing complex biological challenges and contributing to innovations in medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Overall, the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences program at Penn State delivers rigorous scientific training combined with practical research experience, ensuring students are prepared for impactful careers and lifelong learning in the dynamic field of biosciences.