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Middle Tennessee State University has created a Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences (MBS). The Molecular Biosciences doctoral program degree is a rigorous, research-oriented degree that aims to understand cellular function and biological mechanisms at a molecular scale. It includes developing knowledge in sub-disciplines such as biochemistry, cellular biology, biotechnology, genomics, proteomics, microbiology, and structural biology. Faculty from the Departments of Biology and Chemistry will offer most of the course work in Molecular BioSciences, but a limited number of faculty members from the Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Physics and Astronomy will also offer some course work and could participate on dissertation committees. Housed within the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and utilizing the research laboratories and teaching resources of MTSU’s new state-of-the-art science building (see appendix 4), the degree will place emphasis on rigorous training of students, with the core of the program being the interaction between observation, experiment, and theory that is fundamental to all science. The MBS Ph.D. is modeled after well-respected doctoral programs with a similar focus, such as those at Washington State University, the University of Kansas, and New Mexico State University. The scope and structure of this proposed doctoral program encompass the standards emphasized for Ph.D. degrees in Molecular Biosciences as contained in the 2006 report of the Committee on Education of The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (see appendix 5). This report states “Molecular Biosciences (PhD’s) that apply chemical, physical, and molecular biological methods and principles to the solution of biological problems are among the most vigorous and productive areas of scientific development” (www.iubmb.org).
The goals of the proposed Ph.D. degree in Molecular BioSciences are:
- To provide rigorous academic preparation for the study of molecular processes of biological systems at an advanced level. This preparation will enable a Molecular BioSciences graduate to compete for future employment in academia, government, and/or industry.
- To develop in-depth research ability in a specific area within the sub-disciplines of Molecular BioSciences. This will be accomplished initially by engaging students in bench research with faculty mentors and later by requiring them to conduct in-depth research as independent scientists who contribute original knowledge to the discipline and successfully complete a dissertation.
- To develop the ability to communicate scientific concepts to others through writing and submitting manuscripts to scientific journals and presenting the results of research at scientific conferences and symposia.
- To develop and nurture the skills that will lead to excellence in classroom and laboratory teaching as future faculty members.
A strength of the Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences is the individual attention available to the students
and the strong mentoring relationship between the program faculty and the students. If you have any
questions about the Ph.D. program, please contact the Interim Director:
Dr. Jeff Leblond
Professor of Biology
jleblond@mtsu.edu
615-898-5205
If you have questions about applying for an assistantship or applying for graduate school, please contact the
Ph.D. Executive Aide:
Ms. Linda Feagans
lfeagans@mtsu.edu
615-494-7618
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