Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology (PhD)

The Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University educates students to conduct research at the interface between biology, chemistry, and physics.  The disciplines of Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology aim to unravel and explain biological phenomena and processes in atomic and molecular detail.  Research carried out by program faculty covers a diverse range of topics in Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology.  Areas of study focus on understanding fundamental principles involved in reactions and regulatory interactions in biological systems.  Our research projects attempt to answer key questions, such as:  How do proteins fold and can we prevent misfolding?  Can we design proteins with novel functions?  How does the coordinated interaction between proteins and nucleic acids lead to cellular differentiation and the formation of an organism?  How do macromolecules assemble into molecular machines and viruses? How do these assemblies operate? How do signals traverse membranes? 

Contact Information 

University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University 
Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology Graduate Program  
Graduate Studies Office 
3550 Terrace Street 
M240 Scaife Hall 
Pittsburgh, PA 15261  
412-648-8957 

Fax: 412-648-1077  
E-mail: MBSBinfo@medschool.pitt.edu 
www.mbsb.pitt.edu 

Admission Requirements and Procedures 

Students with at least a baccalaureate degree in physics, chemistry and mathematics or cellular and molecular biology are encouraged to apply.  Admissions are based upon the student’s academic record, CV, 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), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duo Lingo. A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper) or 100 (iBT), IELTS score of at least 7.00, or a minimum Duo Lingo score of 120 is required for admission to the Program. We actively seek qualified applicants from underrepresented minorities and students with disability. 

Additional information and a link to the online application can be a found at https://learn.hs.pitt.edu/portal/gr_app 

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 and interactions; Principles of protein structure and dynamics; Membrane proteins; Gene regulation and signaling; Cellular biophysics; Chemical structure and 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 two years. 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 PhD degree. The 72 credits are completed by taking required and elective course work as well as dissertation research credits upon being admitted to candidacy.   

• MSMBPH 2001 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 1: STRUCTURE or 

• MOLBPH 2001 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 1: STRUCTURE -  

Fall first year 

• MSMBPH 2010 - Directed Study 

• MOLBPH 2010 - Directed Study 

Taken until 72 credits earned and admitted to Candidacy 

• MSMBPH 2012 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 2: MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS AND DYNAMICS or 

• MOLBPH 2012 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 2: MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS AND DYNAMICS -  

Spring first year 

• MSMBPH 2013 Molecular Biophysics 3: Theory and Simulation 

• MOLBPH 2013 Molecular Biophysics 3: Theory and Simulation 

Spring first year 

• MSMBPH 2020 - STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SEMINAR or 

• MOLBPH 2020 - STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY/MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS SEMINAR  

Every fall and spring through graduation 

• MSMBPH 2030 - DATA AND LITERATURE CLUB or 

• MOLBPH 2030 - DATA AND LITERATURE CLUB - beginning with the spring term of the first year, D&L Club is taken every fall and spring term through graduation 

•  MSMBPH 2051 - LABORATORY RESEARCH ROTATIONS or 

• MOLBPH 2051- LABORATORY RESEARCH ROTATIONS 

First year - 1 in fall, 2 in spring 

• MSMBPH 2055 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF SOLUTION-BASED BIOMOLECULAR NMR 

• MSMBPH 2050 SPECIAL TOPICS IN MBSB: CRYOEM O 

One of these two classes offered alternately each spring 

• MBMBPH 3000 Research and Dissertation Ph.D. 

• MOLBPH 3000 Research and Dissertation Ph.D. 

             Taken after 72 credits and admittance to candidacy 

• 09763 - MOLECULAR MODELING AND COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY  (at CMU) 

Spring first year 

• INTP 2000 Foundations of Biomedical Science 

 Fall first year 

• INTBP 2290 - SCIENTIFIC ETHICS AND THE RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH  

Summer first year 

• INTBP 2013 - D2K: FROM DATA TO KNOWLEDGE- BIOMEDICAL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND ANALYSIS  

Summer first year 

• INTBP 3000 Foundations of Biomedical Science 

• INTBP 3005 Foundations Journal Club 

fall of first year 

Advanced Elective Courses (6 Credits Total) 

The courses taken here will be chosen on an individual basis based on the background and interests of the individual student.  Course must be related to expanding knowledge of MBSB topics and approved by Andy Hinck. During the first year, the choice will be made by the student in consultation with the First Year Advisor or Dissertation Advisor.  Upon proper approval, the elective courses can be taken either at the University of Pittsburgh (both the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Medicine) as well as Carnegie Mellon University.  

Additional information on the core curriculum can be found at http://www.mbsb.pitt.edu/index.php/training/curriculum.