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Exploring the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences
The Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology, M.S., Ph.D. program CMSB) is a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental program of study and research leading to M.S. (with a thesis required) and Ph.D. degrees.
The CMSB program brings together, from various departments at Miami University, faculty and students with broad interests in several areas of life sciences
CMSB students are eligible for assistantships and will take courses in core areas of cell, molecular, and structural biology. CMSB students will also attend both scientific and professional development-based seminars to prepare them for life after graduate training.
Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology Curriculum and Courses
- Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology seminar
- Pedagogy training
- One course from 3 of 4 core areas:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Facts and Stats
Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology Interests of Study Areas
The CMSB program capitalizes on the interdisciplinary nature of the life sciences to provide students with educational experiences that reflect the intricate designs and complexity of living organisms
The faculty and students in this program have a number of study and research interests, including, but not limited to:
- biochemistry
- cell biology
- developmental biology
- genetics
- genomics and bioinformatics
- molecular biology
- neuroscience
- physiology
- structural biology
Meet the Faculty
Students interested in the CMSB program should review the research interests of the CMSB faculty. Any CMSB faculty member may serve as a thesis/dissertation advisor.
Centers and Laboratories
Research is at the center of both the M. S. and Ph. D. degree programs. CMSB graduate students can choose to do their research in the laboratory of one of the more than 40 participating faculty members. Research questions encompass levels of organization ranging from whole organisms to cells and biological molecules. Graduate students and faculty pursue research questions using diverse organisms. Students in the CMSB Graduate Program have access to state-of-the-art research equipment and facilities including:
Center for Advanced Microscopy and Imaging
The Center for Advanced Microscopy and Imaging (CAMI) is an all-university research, teaching, and service facility in Upham Hall at Miami University that supports the microscopy needs of biological and materials researchers and is available at no charge to the university community.
Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
The Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics is a state-of-the-art research and training facility at Miami University that supports molecular biology and big data research through advanced sequencing technologies, robotic liquid handling, qPCR systems, NGS library preparation equipment, and high-capacity Linux workstations for bioinformatics analysis.
Center for Neuroscience and Behavior
The Miami University Center for Neuroscience and Behavior is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to promoting neuroscience research, as well as to train graduate students for a career in developmental, cellular, molecular, and/or behavioral neuroscience.
Ohio Advanced Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Laboratory
The Ohio Advanced EPR Laboratory houses a state-of-the-art Bruker® ELEXSYS E580 spectrometer capable of pulsed EPR, along with EMX X- and Q-band and EMX X-band spectrometers for continuous wave EPR spectrometry.
Instrumentation Laboratory
The Instrumentation Laboratory is a well-equipped and staffed facility that handles equipment maintenance and repair and constructs specialized equipment to meet individual needs.
Molecular Microspectroscopy Laboratory
For over 31 years, the MML has been a leader in molecular microspectroscopy for contaminant identification and materials characterization, providing infrared and Raman microspectroscopy services and instrument development expertise to more than 450 clients.
Willard Sherman Turrell Herbarium
The Willard Sherman Turrell Herbarium (MU) is a taxonomically and geographically broad collection of vascular plants, mosses, fungi, algae, and specialized holdings—including type specimens, plant fossils, wood samples, and microscope slides—supported by active exchange programs with herbaria worldwide.
Program Requirements and Examinations
Course Requirements
- CMSB seminar
- Pedagogy training
- One course from 3 of 4 core areas:
- biochemistry
- cell biology
- molecular biology
- structural biology
- Additional seminars and courses as determined by the student and committee.
Diagnostic Examinations
All Ph.D. students must pass a comprehensive examination and write and defend a dissertation research proposal.
All M.S. students must write and defend a thesis proposal. All students must present and defend their final dissertation or thesis.
Participating Host Departments
The Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology (CMSB) Graduate Program brings together faculty and students from a variety of different departmental units at Miami University. This diversity of approach strengthens the interdisciplinary nature of the program and is in line with the nationally recognized increased need to integrate data and approaches from different scientific disciplines to maximize scientific insight and research outcome.
Department of Microbiology
32 Pearson Hall
513-529-5422
Admission and Funding
This is Where Your Journey to Miami University Begins
Explore what it means to be a graduate student at Miami University, where students prepare to go anywhere and everywhere. We’ll be here to help every step of the way as you prepare for college admission, enrollment, and success.
Contact Us
Graduate Admission
513-529-GRAD (4723)
[email protected]
Department of Biology
Haifei Claire Shi, Professor of Biology
Pearson Hall 260
700 E. High St., Oxford, OH 45056
[email protected]
513-529-3162
513-529-2813