The Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology (abbreviated as the CDB Program) offers both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees and is part of a diverse, interactive community of biological scientists working at Rutgers. The graduate program has approximately 130 faculty members with research that spans the broad fields of molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology, genetics, neurobiology, and developmental biology. Researchers draw upon diverse experimental systems ranging from tissue culture, invertebrates, animal models, and humans. The goal of the CDB Program is to provide a challenging and rewarding environment in which students can fully develop their research skills for future careers in academia, biotech/pharma, and other scientific fields.
Applicants for the Ph.D. are admitted through an umbrella program, the Graduate Programs in Molecular Biosciences, which consists of five graduate programs and manages admissions and first-year courses for Ph.D. students. Applicants for the Ph.D. program should contact the Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program directors.
Applicants to the M.S. program apply directly to the CDB Graduate Program.
The Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program offers advanced studies leading to Ph.D. and MS degrees.
The Ph.D. requirements include the set of first-year core courses in Molecular Biosciences, encompassing a broad range of biological topics. In addition, a series of seminar courses designed to enhance critical thinking and experimental design are incorporated into the first-year curriculum. At the end of the first year and going forward, students are required to take the CDB curriculum, laboratory research, pass parts I and II of the qualifying examination, and write and defend a research dissertation. All Ph.D. students will receive a competitive stipend, health benefits, and tuition remission for the duration of their graduate studies, provided that academic standards are met and progress towards a Ph.D. is maintained. All students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better to remain in the program.
The MS requirements include a minimum of 30 credits of the CDB curriculum. Students may select either a research thesis or non-research thesis option of study. All students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better to remain in the program. NO financial aid is offered to Master's students; however, limited TA positions are sometimes available to support Masters training.
Admissions
All Ph.D. applications will be reviewed by the joint Graduate Programs in Molecular Biosciences Admissions Committee. The deadline for completed applications to the Ph.D. program is December 1 of each year; the Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications early in December.
MS applications are reviewed separately by the Cell and Developmental Biology Master's Admissions Committee. The deadline for completed M.S. applications is April 1.
The application form is the same for both the MS and Ph.D. programs.
