Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology

The graduate program in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental and Neural Biology (MCDN Biology) provides opportunities for graduate research on a diverse range of topics. Graduate students in the MCDN program focus their graduate work at all levels of biology, from single-molecule interactions up through the level of tissue interactions within organisms. Most faculty participating in the MCDN Biology program have laboratory space within the Life Science Research Building,. This state-of-the-art research facility is shared by researchers from four departments within the university and provides opportunities for interdisciplinary research. The Biology Microscopy Core Facility and the Molecular, Tissue Culture, and Chemistry core facilities in the Life Science Building provide graduate students with the most up –to- date instrumentation for their projects.

First -year students in the MCDN Biology PhD program complete a series of core courses followed by courses on specific topics of interest in subsequent years. Students entering the Masters program must select a research advisor prior to entering the program in the first year. Students entering the PhD program undertake research rotations in three labs during their first year and then select a research advisor. Yearly participation in a special topics journal club develops critical thinking skills, and participation in the MCDN Biology seminar series prepares MCDN Biology graduate students for formal research presentations.

Faculty in the MCDN Biology graduate program participate in collaborations with researchers both within and outside the Capital District, providing students with opportunities to interact with other researchers. MCDN Biology students go on to successful careers in both academics and industry.