The foremost objective for the Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology is to provide training for students whose career objectives are research/teaching positions in cell biology and anatomy. The Program is designed to be flexible, providing training for students who seek careers in basic science, as well as clinical science, departments of medical schools; in other professional schools, such as dental schools; in liberal arts academic departments, such as biology departments or in state, federal, private and industrial research laboratories. With these objectives in mind, the program of study is individually tailored for each student, permitting students a wide latitude in career objectives both before and after graduation. A combination of coursework, state-of-the-art facilities and apprenticeship under departmental faculty members allows the students to become well-trained in both the intellectual and technical knowledge essential for contributing scientists.

Application for Admission Program of Study Funding Graduate Student Pages

Departmental Courses Registration and Orientation Checklist for Graduation

In the first year of study, students elect the area in which to focus: Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Developmental Biology or Anatomical Sciences. Within these specified areas, the student is free to select from a wide variety of course offerings in Cell and Developmental Biology, as well as other departments. Students may select courses which not only prepare them for the Doctoral Written Exam at the end of the first year, but which also familiarize them with one or more of several areas of research interests represented in the Department. These include: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Neurobiology, Reproductive Biology, Endocrinology, Molecular Biology, Cell Signaling and Membrane Biology, to name but a few.

Graduate students receive broadly-based training in the aforementioned research areas, before the written and oral examinations for advancement to Ph.D. candidacy. Specific course requirements are varied to meet the needs and career objectives of the individual student; all students are encouraged to develop a strong background in the various areas of cellular and biostructural studies. Further formal study can be pursued while the student develops an original research program under the supervision of a faculty advisor in preparation for his/her dissertation.

The Ph.D. usually requires 4 to 5 years to complete. The MS is not normally a recommended step toward the doctorate and may be taken only in special cases as a terminal degree. Students interested in a combined MD/Ph.D. program must be accepted into both the School of Medicine and the graduate program offered by the department; the combined studies are scheduled in accordance with individual requirements.

Graduate students in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology may apply in the first or second year of study for a Traineeship in the Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Training Program. This program stresses professional development and offers up to two years of support for interdisciplinary training that augments training in Cell and Developmental Biology. More information may be obtained at the MCBP web page (http://hekto.med.unc.edu:8080) or by contacting Professor Barry Lentz (uncbrl@med.unc.edu or 919-966-5384), the director of the MCBP.