All content © 2013 - 2023 Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
The Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) subplan of the Professional Science Master’s in Applied Biosciences GIDP is designed for students who wish to possess a graduate-level education that integrates knowledge in the biological sciences, management, business, and law. Students graduating in this track will be prepared for professional careers in government, academia, or in industry in such fields as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, medical research, and agriculture.
The discipline of Molecular and Cellular Biology is the study of life processes. What types of activities are carried out by cells, and how do cells make these activities work? Our department aims for its students to develop a deep understanding of current ideas and problems in molecular and cellular biology and to build foundational skills in logic, reasoning, self-expression, and communication.
MCB researchers utilize model systems that allow them to query the most basic of questions about nature, whether they be at the molecular level, at the level of a cell or organism, or in the development of clinical application of new human disease therapies. Faculty with specializations in MCB represents a diverse group of faculty members' research interests including cancer biology, neurobiology, heart development and disease, plant development, evolutionary biology, cell signaling, gene expression, RNA biology, genetic networks and systems biology, and genome stability. Professional Science Master’s students in the MCB track will be able to select courses corresponding to these fields and other course work for the track, to tailor their studies to their personal preferences and career goals.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Graduate College/GIDP
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Students who wish to apply to the PSM degree in Applied Biosciences must have the minimum qualifications:
A Bachelors (or equivalent) degree with a major in an area of biosciences from an accredited institution.
A minimum 3.0 GPA
A desire to pursue a professional career in the applied biosciences.
Admissions Process
Students should apply directly to the specific track in the program they wish to pursue. The application should be submitted online (only) via the Graduate College website (http://grad.arizona.edu). Be prepared to submit the following materials:
Scans of all transcripts (official versions will be requested if you are selected for admission)
GRE scores (recommended but not required; general test only)
Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language.
Acceptable English Proficiency Credentials can be found at:
https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency
GPAs for all undergraduate work
A one to two page statement of interests, which outlines your background (including any professional experience) and your professional goals.
You should separately arrange with two references (typically former or current professors or work supervisors) who can comment on your skills, training and potential for the PSM in Applied Biosciences. You will need to include their names and email addresses in your online application.
Required test(s):
Required GRE Subject tests: general test only
Minimum GRE Verbal: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minimum GRE Quantitative: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minumum GRE Written: 0-6, in half point increments
Minimum MAT:
Minimum TOEFL: 79 internet based (IBT) 550 paper based (PB) required for international students or
Minimum IELTS: 7 (no subject area below a 6) for international students
Minimum Pearson PTE Academic
Minimum Minimum CEPT: 110 on Full Academic test for international students
For more information on the English Proficiency requirement, please click here
There is no funding support directly available from this program.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
36
The ABS program is designed specifically to prepare students to competitively enter the scientific workforce. During the two-year course of study, students will gain a strong understanding of the applications of the biological sciences to real world problems, including those faced by public institutions and private industry. A minimum of 36 unit hours is needed for this degree; 6-9 of these units are for the research internship and report. Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete the degree. Students may apply for, and be admitted to, any of the 4 tracks (“sub-plans”). Each track has its own specific core requirements and electives
Curriculum
All tracks have the following general structure.
Science Module...................................................15 Units
Professional Preparation Module.............................12 Units
Internship Module (including the Final Report)..........9 Units
Total.................................................................36 units
Core Coursework Requirements:
Science Module: 15 Units Required (9 Core + 6 Electives)
Core Science Classes: Choose 9 Units
BIOC 565 Proteins and Enzymes, 3 units, minimum require grade A or B
BIOC 568 Nucleic Acids, Metabolism and Signaling, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
BIOC 585B Biological Structure 2, 2 units, minimum grade required A or B
CBIO 515 Mechanisms of Human Disease, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
CBIO 553 Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
CMM 577 Principles of Cell Biology, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
ECOL 553 Functional and Evolutionary Genetics, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
MCB 516A Statistical Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis, 3 units, minimum grade required A or B
MCB 546 Genetics and Molecular Networks, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
MCB 572A Cell Systems, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
MCB 573 Recombinant DNA Methods and Applications, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
MCB 580 Introduction to Systems Biology, 3 units, minimum grade required A or B
MCB 695E Science, Society, and Ethics, 1 unit, minimum grade required A or B
NRSC 572 Neurodevelopment in Action: How the brain is built, ages, and responds to disease, 4 units, minimum grade required A or B
PLP 528R Microbial Genetics, 3 units, minimum grade required A or B
Core Coursework for the Internship Module (9 units minimum)
ABS 593A Internship, 8 units, minimum required grade S or P
ABS 909 Master’s Report, 1 unit, minimum required grade S or P
Core Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (2 units minimum)
BE 501 Research Methods in Biosystems Engineering, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 595D Scientific Writing, Presentations and Bioethics, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 508 Scientific Writing for Environmental, Agricultural and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
OPTI 597B Technical writing and communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Science Electives: Choose 6 Units
Electives can include any course from the Core Science Module as well. Courses not listed here may also be chosen but require an agreement with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Committee.
CBIO 550 Drug Disposition and Metabolism, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOC 555 Methods of Physical Biochemistry, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 576A Biostatistics in Public Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 519 General Immunological Concepts, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 548 Basic and Advanced Immunology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 552 Antibiotics: a Biological Perspective, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
NRSC 588 Principles of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 539 Methods in Cell Biology and Genomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 548A Plant Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 580 Medicinal Plants, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHYS 531 Molecular Biophysics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Elective Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (Choose 9 to 10 units to reach a total of 12 units for the Module)
ACBS 568A Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 568B Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles II, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 571 Risk Assessment, Management and Communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ABE 552 Globalization, Sustainability Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACCT 521 Business Law for Accountants, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 509 Team Organizational Leadership, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 510 Entrepreneurial Leadership in Agriculture and the Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 511 Principles and Application of Organizational Development, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 522 Communicating Knowledge in Agriculture and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
AREC 550 Financial Management for Agribusiness, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BNAD 597B Advanced Consulting Projects, 3-4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 597C Grant Writing for Graduate Students, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CTS 595C Responsible Conduct of Research, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
ECON 578 Energy, the Environment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EHS 575 Environmental and Occupational Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 512A Management of Technology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 514 Law for Engineers/Scientists, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 506 Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 515 Strategic Planning, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 548 Healthcare Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 557 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 581A Assessing Early Stage Medical Technologies for Commercialization, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
GRAD 595D Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 521 Scientific Grantsmanship, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 695D Regulatory Science, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 576A Drug, Discovery, Development and Marketing Obligations, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 578A Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 589A Regulatory Science Case Study Project, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 695E Science, Society, and Ethics, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 535 International Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 538 Health Organization and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 563 Doing Business In/With Africa, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 506 Healthcare Information Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 578 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MKTG 510 Marketing-Based Management, 2 units, A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PCOL 5 84 Fundamentals in Industrial and Environmental Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 506 Economic Foundations for Health Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 562 Health Services Administration, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 569 Fundamentals of Health Budgeting and Financial Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 574 Public Health Policy and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 513 Health Technology Assessment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 515 Technical Sales and Marketing,3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 567 Financial Modeling for Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SLHS 649 Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Minimum GPA in Professional coursework: 3.0
Students need to do an oral presentation and submit a written report of the internship
See our Student Handbook for detailed information: https://abs.arizona.edu/current-students/student-handbook
Minimum GPA in internship and Master’s Report 3.0
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.