Program Purpose

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Program Purpose

Graduate programs in the Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Biology at Brigham Young University strive to help each graduate student reach their highest potential as researchers, scientists, and citizens of their communities and faith. The Ph.D. program in molecular biology provides focused study in one of three areas of strength within the department: pathogenesis gene expression and evolution and ecology. The program involves a variety of courses in these areas, with the goal of providing students with some breadth of understanding of principles of molecular biology in general along with a focused area of specialization. This program assists in preparing students for lifelong growth and learning and for lives of service to their families, society and the church.

Admission and Entry.

• Entrance examination: GRE general test and TOEFL for international students.
• Statement of intent must explicitly state field of interest and career goals.

Curricular structure

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours: candidates without a master's degree: 54 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate, including no more than 18 hours of dissertation credit. Minimum of 36 hours beyond master's degree, including 18 hours of dissertation (MMBio 799R).
• Required courses: Bio 503, MMBio 691R, Stat 510 or equivalent, and at least one of the following: MMBio 603, 605, or 641. Additional courses as determined by student's advisory committee and approved by department graduate committee.
• Recommended courses: either Chem 584 or Chem 586.
• Semiannual progress reviews.
• Presentation of research at an annual retreat.
• Comprehensive examination: students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination after the formal course work is completed. The format and content of the comprehensive examination will include a written grant proposal, an oral defense of that proposal, and course work.
• Dissertation: standard university dissertation or journal publication format.
• Public seminar and oral defense of dissertation.

Graduate Catalog

Learning Outcomes

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Advanced Experiment Design and Data Analysis

Independently design and execute microbiology or molecular biology experiments at an advanced graduate level.  

Effective Collaboration

Demonstrate effective interdisciplinary collaboration.   

Critical Reading and Evaluation

Critically read, understand and evaluate current literature in the discipline. 

Techniques and Skills

Mastery of relevant wet bench and/or computational methods.  

Effective Research and Communication

Produce, present, and publish original scientific research results clearly and effectively. 

Proficiency in grant writing

Organize and prepare effective grant proposals.   

Evidence of Learning

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Direct Measures

1. Completion of a Prospectus that is evaluated and approved by student's Advisory Committee. (Evidence of Learning Outacome 1)
2. Oral and written presentation of an original grant proposal as part of the student's Comprehensive Exam (Evidence of Learning Outcomes 1 and 6)
3. Written and oral defense of doctoral dissertation. (Evidence of Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4)
4. Publish original microbiology or molecular biology research in a peer-reviewed journal. (Evidence of Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 5) 

Indirect Measures

1. Exit Interview with Graduate Coordinator to discuss student's next academic or employment position. (Evidence of Learning Outcome 7)
2. Alumni surveys to track student employment (Evidence of Learning Outcome 7) 

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

Annually the department graduate program committee reviews the department graduate program and handbook in light of the data obtained from the Assessment tools listed above. Areas that need attention are first identified by this committee and then studied to determine possible methods for dealing with the issue. Any student or other faculty member can bring issues to the attention of the graduate committee. Minor issues can be resolved and implemented by the graduate committee, but any major issues or changes are brought for discussion to the entire department faculty. Major changes are only put into place after majority approval by the entire faculty. Issues are brought to the college graduate committee as needed for correlation with other departments and programs and for approval. The department graduate secretary keeps notes on these meetings and discussions and keeps active items on the agenda until resolved or otherwise completed.