Molecular and Cellular Biology   Graduate Program Overview

Program of Study

The Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Program is a research-oriented, interdisciplinary graduate program that offers Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees.  Requirements for the M.S. are usually completed within two years; the Ph.D. requires about four years. A program of study committee for each student helps formulate the student's program, which consists of research, seminars, colloquia, formal course work, and a thesis or dissertation.

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Financial Aid

Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis through the MCB Program. For 1999-2000, Assistantship stipends are $14,400 for the nine-month academic year, with a waiver of out-of-state tuition. Several University fellowships are offered to highly qualified students. Supplemental summer support is often available from departmental resources or from grants awarded to individual faculty members.

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Cost of Study

For 1998-99, full-time in-state registration fees are approximately $1,044 per semester. (Waivers of registration fees are available.) In addition, out-of-state students without tuition waivers pay $377 per semester hour, with a maximum of $4520 for 12 hours or more. Out-of-state tuition fees are waived for all graduate teaching and research assistants. Beginning the 2000-2001 school year, graduate students who are employed at least part-time are qualified to receive a health insurance waiver through the graduate college.

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Living and Housing Costs

Graduate student dormitories are available for single students only. Off-campus housing is plentiful. While rents vary widely in the area, living expenses are moderate.

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Student Group

The Graduate College enrollment of 11,000 makes up about one fourth of the 1997-1998 total campus enrollment. The student body comes from every state in the U.S. and many other countries; the greatest number come from California, Arizona, and the Midwest. Graduate students are mostly from out-of-state; their average age is in the mid-twenties; about half are women.

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Location

Tempe is a suburb of Phoenix and is located in the Valley of the Sun. The area offers most of the activities and attractions of a large metropolitan area. Numerous nearby reservoirs and mountains provide excellent recreational areas for boating, fishing, hiking, camping and skiing. Because of the warm, dry climate and relatively flat topography in the valley, bicycling is a popular mode of transportation. Within Arizona, a wealth of historic landmarks, national parks, and monuments offer many places of beauty and interest. Mexico and the Gulf of California are within easy driving distance.

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Applying

Applications may be submitted at any time. In order to be considered for assistantships and fellowships, however, completed application for the fall semester should be received by February 1.

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