Twin Cities campus

This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.

 
Twin Cities Campus

Stem Cell Biology M.S.

Stem Cell Institute
Medical School
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Stem Cell Biology Institute, 2001 6th Street S.E., Mail Code 2873, Minneapolis, MN 55455-3007 (612-625-0602; fax: 612-624-2436)
Email: ander607@umn.edu
Website: http://www.stemcell.umn.edu/graduate_programs/master_of_science/home.htm
  • Program Type: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2014
  • Length of program in credits: 30
  • This program requires summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Science
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
This degree program offers training in stem cell biology, a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that rests on foundations provided by molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. Students will take lecture, lab, and seminar courses in these various disciplines, in addition to stem cell biology. They will interact with members of the Stem Cell Institute through participation in research seminars and journal clubs, and will spend a full calendar year conducting stem cell research in the laboratory of a stem cell biology graduate program faculty member. This research will form the basis of the master's thesis.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.20.
A bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in biological science or a related field.
Special Application Requirements:
Applicants must upload 1) a personal statement (500 words or less) outlining previous research experience, research interests, and long- and short-term goals; 2) a curriculum vitae or resume; 3) the names of three individuals whom the student has asked to write letters of recommendation; and 4) unofficial transcripts to the Apply Yourself on-line application web site.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
  • GRE
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 94
    • Internet Based - Listening Score: 22
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 24
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 22
    • Internet Based - Speaking Score: 26
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 580
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 7.0
    • Listening Score: 6.2
    • Reading Score: 6.2
    • Writing Score: 6.2
    • Speaking Score: 6.2
  • MELAB
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires 14 to 16 major credits, 4 to 6 credits outside the major, and 10 thesis credits. The final exam is oral.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
Students must demonstrate familiarity with the tools of research and scholarship in their major field, the ability to work independently, and the ability to present the results of their investigation effectively, by completing a master's thesis and taking an oral exam. The M.S. is a multidisciplinary program that prepares the basic science undergraduate for a career in research, teaching, or industry within the field of stem cell biology. In addition to taking courses in two or three semesters, students will concurrently conduct research for a full calendar year; this research will form the basis for the thesis.
Required Courses
All students are required to take these courses.
Required Courses
SCB 5051 - Stem Cell Biology Practical Training Module (1.0 cr)
SCB 5054 - Stem Cell Institute Research Seminar and Journal Club (2.0 cr)
SCB 8181 - Stem Cell Biology (3.0 cr)
Required Molecular Biology Course
At least one of these courses is required.
BIOC 8002 - Molecular Biology and Regulation of Biological Processes (3.0 cr)
or GCD 4034 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics (3.0 cr)
Required courses - at least one of these three is required.
At least one of these courses is required.
GCD 8161 - Advanced Cell Biology and Development (2.0 cr)
or GCD 8008 - Mammalian Gene Transfer and Genome Engineering (2.0 cr)
or Either 5xxx or 8xxx level course, must be approved by SCB program before registration.
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· Medical School

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Spring 2022
· Fall 2021
· Fall 2020
· Spring 2020
· Fall 2019
· Spring 2019
· Fall 2018
· Summer 2018
· Fall 2017
· Fall 2016

View sample plan(s):
· Stem Cell Biology M.S. Sample Plan
· Stem Cell Biology M.S. Sample Plan
View PDF Version:
Search.
Search Programs

Search University Catalogs
Related links.

Medical School

Graduate Admissions

Graduate School Fellowships

Graduate Assistantships

Colleges and Schools

One Stop
for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
 
SCB 5051 - Stem Cell Biology Practical Training Module
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Intensive two-week course. Hands-on instruction in techniques of tissue culture. Conventional, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy. Flow cytometry for both analysis of cell populations and sorting of cells. prereq: Acceptance into stem cell biology master's program
SCB 5054 - Stem Cell Institute Research Seminar and Journal Club
Credits: 2.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Students attend weekly Stem Cell Institute research seminars and journal clubs, write brief summaries, participate in journal club, and present original research paper. prereq: Acceptance into stem cell biology [master's prog or PhD minor prog] or instr consent
SCB 8181 - Stem Cell Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: GCD 8181/SCB 8181
Typically offered: Every Fall
Stem cell research and its applications. Critical analysis, written summaries/critiques, oral presentations. prereq: [[GCD 4034], [GCD 4161]] or equiv or instr consent
BIOC 8002 - Molecular Biology and Regulation of Biological Processes
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Classical to current topics in molecular biology. Aspects of DNA, RNA, and protein biology. DNA replication, repair, and recombination. RNA transcription, editing, and regulation. Protein translation/modification. Technologies such as deep-sequencing micro-RNA and prions. prereq: [BMBB or MCDBG] grad student or instr consent
GCD 4034 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Molecular genetics and genomics of eukaryotes. Course emphasizes mechanisms of gene regulation and how these are studied. Current strategies used to study the activity and function of genes and genomes, including the role of chromatin, will be covered. Techniques will include gene knockouts/knockdown, genome engineering, genome-wide analysis of RNA and protein expression and function, as well as genome-wide protein binding and chromatin interaction mapping. Technologies covered will include next-generations and third-generation sequencing and CRISPR-based strategies for gene modification and precision gene regulation. Students will analyze and present recent primary papers in molecular genetic and genomics. Prerequisite: BIOL 4003
GCD 8161 - Advanced Cell Biology and Development
Credits: 2.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
The advanced cell and developmental biology of embryos, taught through in-depth, comparative analysis of historical and current primary research articles that illustrate developmental mechanisms and experimental approaches in key invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms. prereq:[BMBB or MCDBG grad student] or [GCD 4161, [GCD 8131 or Biol 4003], Biol 4004, and GCD 4034] or instr consent
GCD 8008 - Mammalian Gene Transfer and Genome Engineering
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Current gene transfer and genome engineering technology. Applications of genetic modifications in animals, particularly transgenic animals and human gene therapy. prereq: instr consent