Molecular Biosciences Program

The Molecular Biosciences (MBS) Program offers an interdisciplinary first year towards a Doctorate in Philosophy. Students in the MBS program has the unique opportunity to pursue research across department boundaries, before selecting a specific area of study at the end of the first year.   

In this program, first-year graduate students rotate in three different laboratories within their chosen areas of research interest. These rotations are chosen by the student based on interest and need to be communicated with program leadership prior to rotation. By the end of the first-year students determine their dissertation advisor and are formally admitted to a specific department to conduct research leading to the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy in that departmental program.  

For more detailed information please visit the program website.  

Research Areas: 

This program offers students a common and rigorous educational experience for the first year and continues to challenge students as they begin to specialize in their academic pathway during their second year. MBS Program students participate in seminar series, project presentations, and attend scientific meetings. In the second year, once you have chosen a research advisor based on your first-year rotation process, you will be formally admitted to a Ph.D. program in one of the eleven participating departments to conduct a research project leading to the awarding of a Doctorate of Philosophy. 

This interdisciplinary program brings together faculty, departments, and research centers across campus: Astrobiology; Chemical and Biological Engineering; Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Ecology, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics,  Microbiology & Cell Biology, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Center for BioInspired Materials, Pollinator Health Center, and the Thermal Biology Institute to provide students with laboratory instructions to become successful research scientists. 

To possibly host rotation students, research faculty present their research to prospective MBS students during recruitment weekend (typically the prior February) and to current MBS students during orientation (August).  Please email mbprogram@montana.edu and/or any member of the Faculty Commitee with questions about research opportunities or lab rotations. 

Applicants for the Ph.D. program have a bachelor's or master's degree with a solid foundation of science courses 

Admission to the doctoral program follows the requirements of The Graduate School. Factors that the department uses in its admissions process include statement of purpose, reference letters, GPA, research experience and previous coursework.  For international applicants, English proficiency is also required https://www.montana.edu/international/admissions/englishproficiencygraduate.html   

Details about applying can be found at http://mbprogram.montana.edu/application.asp. The Molecular BioSciences Program requires applicants to use the online application.