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MMBio

About Graduate Programs

About Graduate Programs

Amazing advances in molecular research, increasing numbers of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms,

and the genome sequencing project make this one of the fastest and most exhilarating fields in which to be working.

It's an exciting time to study infectious and genetic diseases, genetic diversity and gene expression.

The MMBio Department Offers Graduate Programs In:

  • Microbiology, master's degree
  • Microbiology, PhD degree
  • Molecular Biology, master's degree
  • Molecular Biology, PhD degree

We are researching organisms in the Great Salt Lake, Nematodes in the Antarctic, helpful bacteria that increase plant growth, how cells of the immune system get to their destination, tumor immunology, DNA repair in plant mitochondria, bacterial adaptation to the environment (signals in the environment that allow bacteria to adapt to new conditions), and animal virus attachment to host cells.

  • Credit requirements:
    • 30 credit-hours for a master's degree
    • 54 credit-hours for a PhD degree
    • 36 credit-hours for a PhD degree after a master's has been earned
  • Courses required for all degrees:
    • Biol 503, Research Orientation
    • Stat 510 or equivalent
    • MMBio-691R, Graduate Seminar
    • One of the following three is required:
      • MMBio 605, Molecular and Microbial Pathogenesis
      • MMBio 603, Molecular Aspects of Gene Expression
      • MMBio 641, Molecular Evolution
    • Strongly Recommend one of the following:
      • Chem 584, Proteins lab
      • Chem 486, Nucleic acids lab
  • Program Requirements:
    • Prospectus
    • Coursework or Comprehensive Exam
    • Defense of Thesis or Dissertation
    • Thesis or Dissertation

For more information, see page 7 of The Graduate Handbook

MMBio Course Title Credit
Hours		 Description
518 Select Pathogens 2 Current literature dealing with special pathogens.
551R Current Topics in MMBio 1-3 Readings from current literature on a specific topic;
student presentations and discussions.
554 Molecular Virology 2 Molecular mechanisms of virus architecture, attachment
and entry pathways, replication strategies, oncogenesis,
evolution, and mechanisms of pathogenesis.
557 Genes and Cancer 2 Molecular basis of human cancers, emphasizing oncogenes,
tumor suppressor genes, chromosomal instability,hereditary cancers,
chemical and physical carcinogens, and viral carcinogenesis.
603 Molecular Aspects of Gene Expression 3 Regulatory mechanisms governing gene expression, including
transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational controls.
605 Molecular & Microbial Pathogenesis 3 Pathology of viral, parasitic, and bacterial diseases.
611 Advanced Cell & Molecular Immunology 2 Current topics in immunology.
613 Philosophy of Biology 2 Epistemological, metaphysical, and ethical issues in the biological sciences.
Philosophical questions concerning the theory of evolution, debate between
evolution and creationism, fitness, adaptationism, the units of selection,
systematics, sociobiology, and evolutionary ethics.
614 Prokaryotic Signal Transduction 2 Current literature integrating cell signal pathways and the regulation
of prokaryotic gene expression.
615 RNA- Medicated Gene Regulation 2 Current advances in studies on RNA processing, including RNA
splicing and editing, riboswitches, ribozymes, and the role of
small RNAs in RNA interference and regulation of gene expression.
631 Coevolution 2 Current methods of analyzing multiple evolutionary patterns,
including cophylogeny, comparative phylogeography, and
gene tree/species tree reconciliation.
641 Molecular Evolution 4 Theoretical foundations of molecular evolution; molecular
phylogenetics, estimates of population genetic parameters,
gene duplication, horizontal gene transfer, rates of evolution,
molecular clocks.
651R Special Topics in MMBio 1-3 Readings from current literature on specific topics.
691R Graduate Seminar 1 Presentations by selected speakers from the College,
Department, and outside of the university
695R Research 1-18 n/a
699R Master's Thesis 1-9 n/a
799R PhD Dissertation 1-9 n/a

  • MMBIO Department
    • Tuition scholarships are offered for PhD students, for a maximum of 5 years
    • Stipends are offered to PhD students in the form of Teaching and Research Assistantships.
  • BYU University
    • Pell Grants
    • Stafford Loans
    • Research Fellowship Awards and Mentoring Grants offered through Graduate Studies

2006-2007 Academic Year

Per Semester (Fall or Winter)

Per Term (Spring or Summer)

LDS

Non-LDS

LDS

Non-LDS

Full-Time

$2.290

$4,580

$1,145

$2,290

Part-time, per hour

$255

$509

$255

$509

2007-2008

Academic Year

Per Semester (Fall or Winter)

Per Term (Spring or Summer)

LDS

Non-LDS

LDS

Non-LDS

Full-Time

$2,430

$4,860

$1,215

$2,430

Part-time, per hour

$270

$540

$270

$540

  • Master's Degree:
    • Two Years, usual time limit
    • Five years, University time limit
  • PhD Degree:
    • Five years, usual time limit
    • Eight years, University time limit

MMBio Department

767 WIDB, BYU, Provo, UT 84602

(801) 422-4293

mmbio@byu.edu

Graduate Studies

105 FPH, BYU, Provo, UT 84602

(801) 422-4091    Fax: (801) 422-0270

gradstudies@byu.edu

 

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