Department of Molecular Biosciences

Molecular Biosciences Graduate Programs

We are an interdisciplinary group of faculty who perform cutting edge research across a wide range of areas, including biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, bioinformatics, cancer biology, genetics, genomics, immunology, microbiology, virology, neurobiology, molecular, cellular and developmental biology. We work closely with postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates to investigate fundamental biological and biomedical problems on all levels from molecules to cells to organisms. The Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Kansas is an excellent environment for research and education.

The department offers Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science graduate degrees in Biochemistry and Biophysics, in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB), and in Microbiology. General information about the department, our faculty and students, and alumni of our graduate programs can be found on our website. Detailed information about admission to our graduate program, curricula, and financial support is also available.

Students who are interested in enrolling in graduate level coursework in the Department of Molecular Bioscience without formal admission to a graduate program at KU can apply for graduate, non-degree seeking student status. See the department's admission page for further information.

Biochemistry and Biophysics

The biochemistry group is a dynamic community of scholars and distinguished investigators engaged in research at the forefront of areas including enzymology, structural biology, protein chemistry, proteomics, metabolic biology, and computational biology. Biochemistry researchers have access to numerous excellent core facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, and research activities are strongly supported by public and private funding sources. In addition, biochemistry researchers have close ties with biochemists, chemists and chemical engineers in several other departments at KU as well as at the KU Medical Center. The biochemistry degree track offers a challenging, stimulating and nurturing environment for PhD students. Biochemistry faculty are committed to providing exceptional scientific training through mentoring in the laboratory, classwork and teaching opportunities. Graduate-level classwork covers advanced biochemical systems and methods, physical biochemistry, and molecular modeling.

MCDB

Graduate study in MCDB is supported by a strong interdisciplinary and collaborative group of researchers composed of noted professors and the students, postdoctoral associates, and research staff who work with them in their labs. MCDB researchers seek to address a range of fundamental biomedical questions at the molecular and cellular level. Research areas include modern cell biology, genetics, genomics, developmental biology, cancer biology and neurobiology. Researchers utilize this collaborative environment to leverage the intellectual expertise and tools from multiple labs to study problems at the cutting edge of science using novel, synthetic approaches and a wide variety of model organisms. MCDB researchers have access to numerous excellent core facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, and research activities are strongly supported by public and private funding sources. In addition, MCDB researchers have close ties with researchers in several other departments at KU as well as at the KU Medical Center. MCDB PhD graduates have a high rate of success in securing post-degree positions in academic and industrial research, teaching, law, and other careers. The MCDB degree track offers a challenging, stimulating and rigorous environment that nurtures success for PhD students. The MCDB faculty is committed to providing dynamic and modern scientific training through mentoring in the laboratory, classwork and teaching opportunities. A flexible series of graduate-level course are offered, covering advanced cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, and neurobiology, that aids the student in the development of their research program and dissertation work.

Microbiology

The microbiology group is a dynamic community of scholars and distinguished investigators engaged in research at the forefront of areas including immunology, bacterial pathogenesis and genetics, virology, and fungal secondary metabolites. Microbiology researchers have access to numerous stellar core facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. Microbiology research activities are strongly supported by public and private funding sources, and microbiology researchers have close ties with microbiologists in several other departments at KU as well as at the KU Medical Center. The microbiology degree track offers a challenging, stimulating and nurturing environment for PhD students. Microbiology faculty are committed to providing exceptional scientific training through mentoring in the laboratory, classwork and teaching opportunities. Graduate-level classwork covers pathogenic microbiology, immunology, virology and microbial genetics.

Biology Undergraduate Programs

Various B.A. and B.S. undergraduate degree programs in biology are listed at the Biology Undergraduate Programs page.