Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

The Graduate Programs in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) provide rigorous and individualized graduate research training that emphasizes innovative, cross-disciplinary research leading to the Ph.D., M. A. and M.A./Ph.D. degrees. MCDB graduate programs provide a solid foundation in biomedical science, yet allow students the flexibility to choose their own path of inquiry.

Research in MCDB spans a broad range of topics in including: bacterial pathogenesis, biochemistry, cell biology, cell physiology, developmental biology, gene regulation, genetics, immunology and allorecognition, microbiology, molecular marine biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, plant molecular biology and physiology, and virology.

Modern biomedical research moves at a rapid pace that requires novel ideas, scientific interaction and new experimental approaches. The MCDB program provides multiple opportunities to gain expertise in diverse fields of research, in addition to lab rotations and courses that are usually completed in the first year of study. A full schedule of weekly seminars by invited speakers and annual research retreat  form the framework for scientific interactions. Students participate in weekly research seminars presented by postdoctoral fellows and advanced graduate students. Individual faculty members also organize special topics seminars that focus on important research problems in their own disciplines.

Students may be admitted to Ph.D., M.A. / Ph.D. or M.A. graduate programs depending on the students' goals and time to degree. MCDB offers the M.A. degree by research thesis (Plan 1) or examination (Plan 2). Students are typically admitted under Plan 2, but may petition later for transfer to Plan 1. Graduate degree candidates must meet University requirements outlined in the UCSB Graduate Handbook as well as Departmental requirements.

Technological Advances

UCSB offers a full range of state-of-the-art facilities that are available to MCDB researchers. These include digital imaging and microscopy instrumentation as well as DNA sequencing and computer analysis laboratories. In addition a wide range of biochemical and biophysical instrumentation including ESI and MALDI mass spectrometers, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography facilities are available on campus.

MCDB graduate students have access to the only Technology Management Program in the UC system. The Tech Management Program at UCSB offers MCDB graduate students experience in technology entrepreneurship, product development and business practice, while they pursue their advanced research degrees. Advanced coursework, a business plan competition, and mentorship activities are all designed to give students the knowledge and industry connections they need to be competitive in the healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Research

The approximately 30 research groups within MCDB cover a wide range of current biological problems in the areas of molecular and cellular biology. Areas of particular focus include molecular microbiology and pathogenesis, molecular neurobiology, developmental and cellular genetics, plant molecular biology and physiology, biological materials and marine molecular biology.

Faculty

MCDB faculty have earned numerous distinctions and awards including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and receipt of National Institutes of Health Merit Awards, Keck Foundation Awards, and NIH Pioneer Awards.

Plans 1 and 2 Requirements

MCDB offers a Masters degree in order to meet the recognized need for M.A. level graduates with an MCDB emphasis, and specifically to prepare students for research and/or administrative positions in the biotechnology industry. MCDB offers two M.A. programs: an M.A. by Thesis (Plan 1), emphasizing independent research training, and an M.A. by Exam (Plan 2), emphasizing coursework and broader academic training. Students will choose which plan to follow, with the expectation that all M.A. students will be enrolled full-time, and register for at least 12 units each quarter. Often, students on the Plan 2 track can complete the degree in one year with careful planning.

Plan 1 (Thesis)

(1) a research thesis, (2) graduate core course modules (16 units), and (3) a minimum of 30 units (core modules and elective courses) of graduate coursework.

The thesis research is conducted under the mentorship of a faculty member, who will be the Chair of the student's Thesis Committee. Once the thesis is successfully reviewed and all graduate coursework is complete, the student is ready to graduate with a M.A. Plan 1 degree.

Plan 2 (Examination)

(1) graduate core course modules (16 units), and (2) a minimum of 36 units (core modules and elective courses) of graduate coursework.

Courses

Core

• Biochemical Techniques
• Protein Biochemistry
• Experimental Strategies in Molecular Genetics
• Chromosomes and Cell Cycle
• The Cytoskeleton
• From RNA to Membranes
• Gene Regulation
• Prep & Eval of Research Proposals (Required for Ph.D. only)
• Signal Transduction
• Development

Elective

• Biochemistry Computer Laboratory
• Basic Pharmacology
• Pharmacology Laboratory I
• General Microbiology
• Neurobiology I. Cellular Organization and Biophysics of the Nervous System
• Cell Biology
• Basic Pharmacology: Molecular Pharmacology
• Pharmacology Laboratory II
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory
• Molecular and Cellular Immunobiology
• Angiogenesis in Health and Disease
• Neurobiology II. Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
• Computational Methods in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology
• Molecular Virology
• Experimental Cytology and Digital Imaging
• Basic Pharmacology: Principles and Chemotherapy
• Post-translational Protein Processing
• Stem Cell Biology in Health and Disease
• Social Dimensions of Stem Cell Research
• Neurobiology III. Developmental Neurobiology

Requirements

MCDB welcomes applicants with a passion for science and desire to contribute to research. Strong academic preparation in biology, biological specialty areas (such as biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, genetics and marine biology), chemistry, or physical sciences is required. Undergraduate course work should include one year each of general biology and chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, and physics. Recommended upper division courses include biochemistry, molecular genetics and related elective courses. The Admissions Committee weighs many factors, including the undergraduate scholastic record, GRE scores, laboratory research experience, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. In particular, research experience and the research mentor’s letter are carefully considered. Accordingly, admission is offered based on the intellectual potential, academic record and programmatic fit of each applicant.

• Statement of Purpose, Personal Achievements/Contributions, and Resume or CV (submitted in the online application)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted online)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (submitted online)
• GRE General test scores (preference of 70% or above in Verbal and Quantitative)
• TOEFL scores 550 Paper-Based Test (PBT), 80 Internet-Based Test (IBT) or 7 or above (if applicable) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). UC Santa Barbara reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between uploaded and official transcript(s) are found.
• International Applicants: Please send a pre-application email to the Committee Chair for Admissions, Professor Zach Ma (ma@lifesci.ucsb.edu), providing the following information: GRE scores, GPA, TOEFL score, and degree objective (i.e. PhD, MA or PhD/MA).

Scholarships

MA graduate students typically receive financial support through teaching assistantships, which includes employment compensation along with payment of fees and health insurance. However, no gurantee of financial support is made at the time of admission. MA stduents on plan 1 (thesis) can arrange for graduate student researcher support with sponsoring faculty (see the section on Graduate Student Researcher support). International and domestic non-resident Masters students must cover the cost of non-resident tuition.