Johns Hopkins University, one of the top research universities in the nation in the field of medicine and public health, offers a doctoral program in molecular biology through its Bloomberg School of Public Health. The department is relatively small in size (about 40 doctoral students), which allows students accepted into the program to receive generous financial aid packages. The doctoral program requires students to spend most of their first year completing clinical research rotations as they develop ideas for their dissertation work. They also take coursework in areas like genetics, organic mechanisms in biology, molecular biology and genomics and macromolecular structure and analysis. Students must also pass comprehensive oral and written examinations prior to moving on to dissertation research.
Johns Hopkins University
Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe St.
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-955-3543
jhsph.edu
The University of Pennsylvania is likewise one of the top medical schools in the nation and offers a doctorate in molecular biology through the medical school's biomedical graduate studies program. The program emphasizes six major research areas: microbiology, virology and parasitology; cell biology and physiology; genetics and gene regulation; cancer biology; gene therapy and vaccines; and developmental, stem cell and regenerative biology. During the first year, students take required coursework in the areas of cell biology, molecular and cell biology and eukaryotic gene expression. They also complete clinical research rotations as well. Students also complete five to seven elective courses before moving on to take comprehensive examinations and complete the dissertation.
University of Pennsylvania Medical School
Suite 100 Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-8001
med.upenn.edu
Another option for a doctorate in the field of molecular biology is through the program offered at the University of North Texas. The degree program requires students to complete a total of 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Students with a master's degree in the field can complete 60 credit hours. Of these, 12 hours consist of dissertation research. The program is part of a joint effort with Texas Woman's University; students at either institution can pursue the degree, but research emphases vary between the two faculties. Areas of research focus at the University of North Texas include brain-stem lipids, regulation of blood cell differentiation, mammalian and plant gene structure and cyanide biodegradation, among others.
University of North Texas
Department of Biological Science
1155 Union Circle, #305220
Denton, TX 76203
940-565-2011
biol.unt.edu