Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology, PhD

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 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 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.

Courses

• MSMBPH 2000 - LABORATORY RESEARCH ROTATIONS or
• MOLBPH 2000 - LABORATORY RESEARCH ROTATIONS - taken during the first fall, spring & summer term of the first year.
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• INTBP 2000 - FOUNDTNS OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE - taken during the fall term of the first year
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• MSMBPH 2001 - MOL BIOPHYS 1: STRUCTURE or
• MOLBPH 2001 - MOL BIOPHYS 1: STRUCTURE - taken during the fall term of the first year
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• MSMBPH 2012 - MB2: BIOMOL INTERC & DYNAMICS or
• MOLBPH 2012 - MB2: BIOMOL INTERC & DYNAMICS - taken during the spring term of the first year
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• MSMBPH 2013 - MOL BIOPHYS 3: THEORY & SIMUL or
• MOLBPH 2013 - MOL BIOPHYS 3: THEORY & SIMUL - taken during the fall term of the second year
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• INTBP 2290 - SCNTFC ETHCS RESPONSIBLE RES - taken during the summer term of the first year
• BIOST 2041 - INTRO TO STATISTICAL METHODS 1 - taken during the first summer semester of the first year
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• MSMBPH 2020 - STRUCL BIOL/MOL BIOPHYS SEM or
• MOLBPH 2020 - STRUCL BIOL/MOL BIOPHYS SEM - taken every fall and spring term through graduation
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• 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

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.  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

• MSMBPH 2000 - LABORATORY RESEARCH ROTATIONS OR
• MOLBPH 2000 - LABORATORY RESEARCH ROTATIONS -taken during the first fall, spring, and summer semester of the first year.

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• BIOSC 2810 - MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION -taken during the first fall semester of the first year.

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• MSMBPH 2001 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 1: STRUCTURE OR
• MOLBPH 2001 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 1: STRUCTURE -taken during the first fall semester of the first year.

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• MSMBPH 2002 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 2: THEORY AND SIMULATION OR
• MOLBPH 2002 - MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS 2: THEORY AND SIMULATION -taken during the first spring semester of the first year.

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• INTBP 2290 - SCIENTIFIC ETHICS AND THE RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH -taken during the first summer semester of the first year.

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• BIOST 2041 - INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS 1 -taken during the first summer semester of the first year.

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• MSMBPH 2020 - STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY/MOLECULAR BIOLOGY SEMINAR OR
• MOLBPH 2020 - STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY/MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS SEMINAR -taken every fall and spring semester through graduation.

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• MSMBPH 2030 - DATA AND LITERATURE CLUB OR
• MOLBPH 2030 - DATA AND LITERATURE CLUB -taken every fall and spring semester through graduation.

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• Advanced Elective Courses-6 credits total-with the permission of his/her advisor, students are permitted to choose from a number of courses offered at Pitt as well as CMU.

Additional Information

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 PhD student to transfer to an MS 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.