A&S—Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology
The Department of Molecular Biophysics offers the Doctor of Philosophy
degree in molecular biophysics and structural biology.
Contact Information
- Program Director: Angela Gronenborn
- Main Office: A234 Langley Hall
- 412-624-8102
- Fax: 412 624-4759
- E-mail: admissions@biophysics.pitt.edu
- www.biophysics.pitt.edu
Admission Requirements and Procedures
Students with at least a baccalaureate degree in physics, chemistry and mathematics as well as cellular and molecular biology are encouraged to apply. Admissions are based upon the student’s academic record, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, previous research experience, written statement of interest, and a personal interview. Applicants who are citizens of countries where English is not the official language (and the Province of Quebec in Canada) are required to submit evidence of English Language proficiency by submitting the official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper) or 250 (computer) or 100 (iBT), or IELTS score of at least 7.00 is required for admission to the Program.
Additional information and a link to the online application can be a found at http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/site/admissions.php.
Financial Assistance
All students receive complete financial support in the form of stipend, tuition and health insurance.
Degree Requirements
All students enter the Program in the fall session and after performing three rotations identify an advisor and area of research. Areas of research focus include: Macromolecular recognition; Virus, lipid and protein structure & interactions; Principles of protein structure & dynamics; Membrane proteins; Gene regulation & signaling; Cellular biophysics; Chemical structure & dynamics. Methodologies employed comprise NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, cryo electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and computational molecular biology. Required coursework is completed during the first year. Students are required to complete the Comprehensive Exam by August 31 of their second year in the graduate program.
A minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree is required for the Ph.D degree. The 72 credits are completed by taking required and elective course work as well as dissertation research credits upon being admitted to candidacy.
Laboratory Research Rotation (MSMBPH/MOLBPH 2000)—taken during the first fall, spring & summer semester of the first year.
Macromolecular Structure & Function (BIOSC 2810)—taken during the first fall semester of the first year
Molecular Biophysics I: Structure (MSMBPH/MOLBPH 2001)—taken during the first fall semester of the first year
Molecular Biophysics II: Interactions (MSMBPH/MOLBPH 2002)—taken during the first spring semester of the first year
Molecular Biophysics III: Dynamics & Kinetics (MSMBPH/MOLBPH 2003)—taken during the first spring semester of the first year
Scientific Ethics (INTBP 2290)—taken during the first summer semester of the first year
Structural Biology & Molecular Biophysics Research Seminar (MSMBPH/MOLBPH 2020)—taken every fall and spring semester through graduation
Data and Literature Club (MSMBPH/MOLBPH 2030)—taken every fall and spring semester through graduation
Advanced Elective Courses—6 credits total—a number of courses are available and are listed on the following website: http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/site/curr_electives.php
Additional information on the core curriculum can be found at http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/site/curr.php
Terminal Masters Degree
The program does not admit students whose goal is to attain a Master's of Science degree. However, it might become necessary for a Ph.D. student to transfer to an M.S. track for academic reasons or reasons beyond the student's control, e.g., medical circumstances or a change in family circumstances necessitating a long-distance move.
Training Faculty
The Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology training faculty can be found at the following Web site: http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/site/faculty.php
Course list
The curriculum stresses an interdisciplinary approach to learning and research in modern Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology. Upon entering the program, each student is advised by a mentoring committee, explores research options through laboratory rotations and then chooses a thesis advisor in the first year.
A list of available courses can be found at the following Web site: http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/site/curr.php
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