Molecular Bioscience (Ph.D.)
Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Tinchun Chu, Ph.D.
Department Chair: Jessica Cottrell, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Molecular Bioscience Program is a comprehensive program with a strong research and teaching foundation. The program educates and trains competent, reliable, and independent research scientists in cell and molecular biology, metabolism, molecular and cellular neuroscience, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, molecular ecology, and bioinformatics. Specifically, the program emphasizes the application of modern molecular and cellular biotechnology and information technology to studies on living systems. Graduate training involves course work, scientific presentations, intellectual and collaborative interaction, responsible research conduct, and dissertation research, which build on the doctoral candidates’ intellectual abilities, and prepares them to competitively pursue independent research careers in academia, industry, and government.
General Admission for the Ph.D. Program
The doctoral program in Molecular Bioscience follows the general University requirements for admission to graduate studies and admission to the graduate programs in the Department of Biological Sciences.
Below are the departmental requirements for Admission:
• A B.S. in Biological Sciences or other related fields, with a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• A minimum of 24 credits in biology, with adequate laboratory time; 16 credits in chemistry, including organic, with adequate laboratory time; 8 credits in physics, with laboratory; 6-8 credits in mathematics beyond pre-calculus.
• Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (50th percentile required on all testing components) with minimum 3.0 GPA, is required. All applicants must submit the GRE General Test Score report.
• Foreign students must provide proper immigration documents and an evaluation of academic records by the World Education Service (WES). They must score at least 75% of the maximum possible on the TOEFL examination (minimum 80% of maximum possible to be eligible for a Teaching Assistantship) or a minimum overall band score of 7 on IELTS.
• Personal statement and C.V.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• For more information and access to the application form, please visit: https://www.shu.edu/academics/phd-molecular-bioscience.cfm
Teaching Assistantship Opportunities
Teaching assistantships are available to full-time students and can be applied for during the application process.
These positions will be assigned based on the availability and qualifications of the student and are therefore not guaranteed. Should the student accept a TA position, the student must work to provide adequate education for the lab/class instructed as well as make acceptable progress towards their degree. Each academic year, the student will be evaluated by both the instructor of the course and their primary advisor. These evaluations will be considered by the Department Chair and Director of Graduate Studies when assigning TA positions in future semesters. If the student’s work in the course or in the research lab declines to an unacceptable level, the student will not be offered future TA positions.
Credit Transfer Information
It is the student’s responsibility to consult with the DGS about transferring credits into the SHU Ph.D. program once accepted into the program.
Students who hold a master’s degree in biology or a related discipline, or who have completed relevant graduate coursework, may have up to five courses (maximum of 15 credits) evaluated for transfer toward the Ph.D. program requirements, provided each course was completed with a minimum grade of B (3.0).
Review and acceptance of prior coursework will be determined by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Council (GAC), as needed. Decisions regarding transfer credits, as determined by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in consultation with the Graduate Advisory Council (GAC), are final and not subject to appeal.
Courses designated as Required may not be waived or transferred from other institutions.
International Student Information
International students should consult with the Office of International Programs (OIP) regarding the status of their VISAs. Many VISAs have very specific requirements for the number of classes that must be taken each semester. The student should be mindful that in many cases not signing up for classes or thesis continuation could jeopardize their VISA status. It is the responsibility of the international students to work with OIP to maintain their legal student status. The link to the Office of International Programs is listed below: https://www.shu.edu/international-programs/about.html
Degree Requirements
The doctoral program consists of two phases: foundation coursework and dissertation research. Between completion of the foundation coursework and the start of research, the doctoral candidate will take a comprehensive qualifying examination and select a dissertation mentor.
Students must complete a total of 72 credits, including 58 required credits in coursework (21 credits in required courses, 37 credits in dissertation-related work) and 14 credits of elective courses. The required courses will provide the student with a strong foundation in subject content and training in research techniques. Electives will provide breadth to the students’ training in the various subdisciplines of Molecular Bioscience.
Both full-time and part-time students are eligible to enroll in the doctoral program at Seton Hall University. Full time students will carry at least 9 credits per semester in the Fall and Spring semesters.
Completion of the doctoral program must take place within seven years for full-time students and ten years for part-time students.
Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for all coursework toward the doctoral degree taken at Seton Hall University. Courses with the grade of B- or lower will not be applied towards the total 72-credit requirement. If the course with a B- or lower is a required course, the student must repeat the course with a satisfactory grade of B or better. Students with an overall GPA below 3.0 will be placed on probation for one year to regain acceptable status. The student who is unable to meet these remedial measures or has an overall GPA of 2.0 or below will not continue in the program.
Students must pass a comprehensive preliminary examination after completion of the 21 credits of required courses with B or above.
Students must pass a PhD Candidacy Examination by the end of the 3rd Year (Fall Semester) after the student has completed all courses, has located a research mentor, and begun planning a PhD project.
Students must pass their Dissertation Research Defense, upon completing their dissertation research.
Ph.D. students in Molecular Bioscience must have at least one first-author, peer-reviewed publication based on their dissertation research before applying for graduation with a Ph.D.
Detailed information regarding these requirements can be found in the Phd Program in Molecular Biosciences Guidelines. Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies if you would like a copy.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIOL 6231 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 6201 | Research Methods I | 4 |
| BIOL XXXX RESEARCH METHODS II | 4 | |
| BIOL 7226 | Signal Transduction | 3 |
| BIOL 6113 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIOL 6110 | Writing in Biological Sciences (*Submitted new course title- Scientific Writing) | 3 |
| BIOL XXXX PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL WRITING | 1 | |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| Dissertation Courses | ||
| BIOL 9601 & BIOL 9602 & BIOL 9603 & BIOL 9604 & BIOL 9605 & BIOL 9606 & BIOL 9607 & BIOL 9608 | Research for PHD Dissert I and Research for PHD Dissert II and Research PHD Dissert III and Research PHD Dissert IV and Research PHD Dissert V and Research PHD Dissert VI and Reserach PHD Dissert VII and Research PHD Dissert VIII | 24 |
| BIOL 9020 | Critical Readings & Ethics | 3 |
| CRITICAL READINGS & RESEARCH ETHICS II | 3 | |
| BIOL 9091 & BIOL 9092 | Spec Topics-Biol Res I and Spec Topics-Biol Res II | 4 |
| BIOL PHD CANDIDACY PROPOSAL WRITING | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 37 | |
| Electives * | ||
| Select 14 credits of Biology courses. | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| FIRST SEMESTER | ||
| BIOL XXXX RESEARCH METHODS I | 4 | |
| BIOL 6231 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 6113 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| SECOND SEMESTER | ||
| BIOL XXXX RESEARCH METHODS II | 4 | |
| BIOL 7226 | Signal Transduction | 3 |
| BIOL 6110 | Writing in Biological Sciences (*Submitted new course title- Scientific Writing) | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| SUMMER | ||
| BIOL XXXX PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL WRITING | 1 | |
| Comprehensive Preliminary Examination | ||
| BIOL 9091 | Spec Topics-Biol Res I | 2 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| FIRST SEMESTER | ||
| Electives 1-2 | 7 | |
| CRITICAL READINGS & RESEARCH ETHICS I | 3 | |
| BIOL 9092 | Spec Topics-Biol Res II | 2 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| SECOND SEMESTER | ||
| Electives 3-4 | 7 | |
| CRITICAL READINGS & RESEARCH ETHICS II | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Third Year | ||
| FIRST SEMESTER | ||
| PHD PROPOSAL CANDIDACY WRITING | 3 | |
| BIOL 9601 | Research for PHD Dissert I | 3 |
| BIOL 9602 | Research for PHD Dissert II | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| SECOND SEMESTER | ||
| BIOL 9603 | Research PHD Dissert III | 3 |
| BIOL 9604 | Research PHD Dissert IV | 3 |
| BIOL 9605 | Research PHD Dissert V | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| FIRST SEMESTER | ||
| BIOL 9606 | Research PHD Dissert VI | 3 |
| BIOL 9607 | Reserach PHD Dissert VII | 3 |
| BIOL 9608 | Research PHD Dissert VIII | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| SECOND SEMESTER | ||
| THCN 9000 | Thesis Cont - Doctorate | 0 |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
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