Graduate Program

Graduate students typically enter the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics through the Cellular and Biomedical Sciences gateway program.

Biomedical scientists in the 21st century must have a broad knowledge base and the skill to translate this knowledge toward disease treatment. The PhD program in Cellular & Molecular Biosciences at UCI  provides ideal training to launch the careers of talented researchers in diverse fields of biomedicine. With a multicultural student cohort, we strive to fulfill the dreams of students from many different backgrounds. The training environment is rigorous, but also cognizant of the need for a supportive and balanced lifestyle.

How To Apply

Please complete UCI’s online Graduate Application for Admission – select “School of Biological Sciences” from the school drop-down menu, then select “Cellular & Molecular Biosciences Gateway Ph.D. Program.” You will be asked to provide official post-secondary academic transcripts and three letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required. A successful applicant will likely have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, computer science or neuroscience and some laboratory research experience. Applications are due in early December, and prospective students will be invited to visit campus in late January. Admission decisions are sent throughout February and March, and enrollment must be decided by April 15th.

Cost of Living

All students in the department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics receive financial support in the form of a stipend of ~$38,000 per year in addition to complete coverage of tuition, fees (including gym membership!) and health insurance. This funding comes in part from individual fellowships, departmental training grants and teaching and research assistantships. Students are expected to transition to California residency as early as possible (minimum 1 year living in the state) in order to qualify for in-state tuition.

UCI guarantees on-campus housing to every newly admitted PhD student. Students usually elect to live in either Palo Verde or Verano Place, which are populated primarily by graduate students. These neighborhoods are located precisely between main campus and the Anteater Recreation Center, within an easy mile of every neuroscience laboratory on campus! Parking is included in rent (expect to pay ~$700/month) and childcare is available.

Year 1.  Complete the required coursework for whichever umbrella program you are entering UCI (CMB, INP, MCSB). Complete MMG 250: “Responsible Conduct of Research,” which is required for all trainees in the School of Medicine as well as anyone funded by an NIH or NSF grant. By the end of the year, you should choose a lab, in agreement with the Principal Investigator (PI) of that laboratory.

Year 2. From year two onwards until the year of your dissertation defense, you are required to sign up for the following courses:

• 200 A, B, C – credit for laboratory research [Graded, based on performance]
• 203 A, B, C – credit for organized group study based on readings, discussions, and presentations given within each lab group [S/U]
• 201 A, B, C – Thursday Morning Seminar series given by graduate students, postdocs, and faculty [Graded, based on attendance]
• One additional didactic/journal club class of student choice (any quarter)

MMG200 and MMG203 classes are specified for each MMG faculty member, so make sure you sign up for the correct class code. In addition to these regularly scheduled classes, graduate students are required to sign up for one additional didactic/journal club class of their choice during the academic year

You must have a minimum of 12 units per quarter.

The next step toward the doctoral degree is demonstrating research progress toward the Advancement to Candidacy. All second-year students are required to convene a pre-advancement committee meeting at the end of their second year. The committee should consist of the PI (silent participant) and two other MMG faculty members. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that all second-year students have accomplished reasonable progress in their research during their first full year in MMG.

Year 3. Following the successful completion of the second year of graduate study, the next step in the progression toward the doctoral degree is the “Advancement to Candidacy." The purpose of the “Advancement to Candidacy” is to ensure that the student has selected an appropriate topic for the dissertation and that the experimental work that has been completed or is contemplated is scientifically rigorous and likely to be completed successfully and within the normal period of graduate study (approximately five to six years). Details about the “Advancement to Candidacy” can be found in the MMG Graduate Student Handbook. You are also required to give a formal research update presentation as part of the MMG 201 seminar class. Typically, graduate students present in the winter quarter.

Required classes:

• 200 A, B, C – credit for laboratory research
• 203 A, B, C – credit for organized group study based on readings, discussions, and presentations given within each lab group
• 201 A, B, C – Thursday Morning Seminar series given by graduate students, postdocs, and faculty
• One additional didactic/journal club class of student choice (any quarter)

Year 4. Present your findings to your thesis committee once yearly. Continue with your dissertation research and present a formal research update presentation as part of the MMG 201 seminar class.

Required classes:

• 200 A, B, C – credit for laboratory research
• 203 A, B, C – credit for organized group study based on readings, discussions, and presentations given within each lab group
• 201 A, B, C – Thursday Morning Seminar series given by graduate students, postdocs, and faculty
• One additional didactic/journal club class of student choice (any quarter)

Year 5+. Present your findings to your committee once yearly. As you approach scheduling your dissertation defense, you need to have a meeting with your committee that is considered a Pre-defense “green light” meeting (this can be in year four or five) at which you present an immediate timeline to complete your dissertation. Complete your dissertation and prepare for your dissertation defense. For the Defense, you need just three faculty committee members including your advisor. At least two of faculty members need to have primary appointments in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. You need to present a complete draft of your dissertation to your committee to receive their approval and, after approval, you can schedule a date for your defense!

Required classes:

• 200 A, B, C – credit for laboratory research
• 203 A, B, C – credit for organized group study based on readings, discussions, and presentations given within each lab group
• 201 A, B, C – Thursday Morning Seminar series given by graduate students, postdocs, and faculty

There is no formal teaching requirement for the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. However, UCI offers many opportunities to gain teaching experience and hone your skills. 

TA Opportunities

Once you have completed TA Training, contact the department office to be added to the waitlist. Since UCI School of Medicine does not offer its own undergraduate courses, we must request TA slots from BioSci. BioSci graduate students always get first pick. In rare cases, students who contact a professor directly are able to secure a TAship with that particular professor – but there are no guarantees.

Teaching Workshops

Year 2

• Departmental Form: Second Year Exam Memo (PDF)
• Departmental Form: Committee Assessment of Student Presentation for Second-Year Exam (PDF)
• Departmental Form: PI Assessment of Second-Year Student (PDF)

Year 3

• PhD Form I – Advancement to Candidacy for PhD Degree – please work closely with the department graduate coordinator to initiate processing and signing of the form.

Year 4 and beyond

• Departmental Form: Advisement Committee Meeting Report (PDF)
• Departmental Form: Pre-Dissertation Approval Form (PDF)
• PhD Form II – Report on Final Examination for PhD Degree – please work closely with the department graduate coordinator to initiate the signing of the form.