Campuses:
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
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.
The stem cell biology master's program is a multidisciplinary program that prepares graduates for a career in research, teaching, or industry within the field of stem cell biology. It 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.
Students who elect Plan A will spend a full calendar year, including summer, conducting research in the laboratory of a stem cell graduate program faculty member. This research will form the basis of the master's thesis.
Students who elect Plan B will conduct research of primary literature resulting in a written paper and seminar on a topic in Stem Cell Biology agreed upon in advance by the student and faculty adviser. Part-time students choosing Plan B are expected to take one to two courses per semester and to finish the master's degree within 3 years. Students will not be expected to take courses in the summer.
Program Delivery
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 to the Apply Yourself on-line application website: 1) a personal statement (500 words or less) outlining research interests and long- and short-term goals (NOTE: students applying to Plan A should include information about previous research experience); 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.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
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.
Plan B: Plan B requires
14 to 16
major credits and
14 to 16
credits outside the major.
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.
In addition to taking courses in two or three semesters, students can choose two paths for completing the degree. Students in Plan A will complete a master's thesis and take an oral exam. Students in Plan B will complete a course which will involve a major written paper and presentation.
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.
GCD 4034 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
(3.0 cr)
or
BIOC 8007 - Molecular Biology of the Genome
(2.0 cr)
BIOC 8008 - Molecular Biology of the Transcriptome
(2.0 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 Bioethics course, must be approved by SCB program before registration.
Additional Courses for Plan A and Plan B
Plan A
Students must take 10 thesis credits - 5 in spring of year 1 and 5 in fall of year 2 is recommended.
SCB 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
(1.0-18.0 cr)
Students may choose elective credits from the following list or other courses in consultation with the program advisor.
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
BIOC 8401 - Ethics, Public Policy, and Careers in Molecular and Cellular Biology
(1.0 cr)
·
BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
BMEN 5041 - Tissue Engineering
(3.0 cr)
·
BMEN 5351 - Cell Engineering
(3.0 cr)
·
BTHX 5210 - Ethics of Human Subjects Research
(3.0 cr)
·
BTHX 5325 - Biomedical Ethics
(3.0 cr)
·
BTHX 5400 - Intro Ethics in Hlth Policy
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 5036 - Molecular Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 8008 - Mammalian Gene Transfer and Genome Engineering
(2.0 cr)
·
GCD 8131 - Advanced Molecular Genetics and Genomics
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 8151 - Cellular Biochemistry and Cell Biology
(2.0-4.0 cr)
·
GCD 8161 - Advanced Cell Biology and Development
(2.0 cr)
·
MICA 8003 - Immunity and Immunopathology
(4.0 cr)
·
MICA 8004 - Cellular and Cancer Biology
(4.0 cr)
·
MILI 6235 - Pharmaceutical Industry: Business and Policy
(2.0 cr)
·
MILI 6726 - Medical Device Industry: Business and Public Policy
(2.0 cr)
·
MILI 6985 - The Health Care Marketplace
(2.0 cr)
·
MILI 6995 - Medical Industry Valuation Laboratory
(2.0 cr)
·
NSC 8211 - Developmental Neurobiology
(2.0-4.0 cr)
·
PHCL 5110 - Introduction to Pharmacology
(3.0 cr)
·
PHCL 5112 - Foundations of Biomedical Research
(1.0-2.0 cr)
·
PHSL 5510 - Advanced Cardiac Physiology and Anatomy
(2.0-3.0 cr)
·
PHSL 8242 - Professional Skills Development for Biomedical Scientists
(2.0 cr)
·
PSY 5063 - Introduction to Functional MRI
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B
SCB 5900 is a required course for Plan B.
SCB 5900 - Master's Plan B Research Paper and Presentation
(2.0 cr)
Students may choose elective credits from the following list or other courses in consultation with their advisor.
Take 14 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
BIOC 5213 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
BIOC 8401 - Ethics, Public Policy, and Careers in Molecular and Cellular Biology
(1.0 cr)
·
BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
BMEN 5041 - Tissue Engineering
(3.0 cr)
·
BMEN 5351 - Cell Engineering
(3.0 cr)
·
BTHX 5210 - Ethics of Human Subjects Research
(3.0 cr)
·
BTHX 5325 - Biomedical Ethics
(3.0 cr)
·
BTHX 5400 - Intro Ethics in Hlth Policy
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 5036 - Molecular Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 8008 - Mammalian Gene Transfer and Genome Engineering
(2.0 cr)
·
GCD 8131 - Advanced Molecular Genetics and Genomics
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 8151 - Cellular Biochemistry and Cell Biology
(2.0-4.0 cr)
·
GCD 8161 - Advanced Cell Biology and Development
(2.0 cr)
·
MICA 8003 - Immunity and Immunopathology
(4.0 cr)
·
MICA 8004 - Cellular and Cancer Biology
(4.0 cr)
·
MILI 6235 - Pharmaceutical Industry: Business and Policy
(2.0 cr)
·
MILI 6726 - Medical Device Industry: Business and Public Policy
(2.0 cr)
·
MILI 6985 - The Health Care Marketplace
(2.0 cr)
·
MILI 6995 - Medical Industry Valuation Laboratory
(2.0 cr)
·
NSC 8211 - Developmental Neurobiology
(2.0-4.0 cr)
·
PHCL 5110 - Introduction to Pharmacology
(3.0 cr)
·
PHCL 5112 - Foundations of Biomedical Research
(1.0-2.0 cr)
·
PHSL 5510 - Advanced Cardiac Physiology and Anatomy
(2.0-3.0 cr)
·
PHSL 8242 - Professional Skills Development for Biomedical Scientists
(2.0 cr)
·
PSY 5063 - Introduction to Functional MRI
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GCD 8181/SCB 8181 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Bioc 8401/GCD 8401 |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4004/GCD 3033/4005W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Bthx 5325/Phil 5325 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MILI 5990/6990/3585/5585 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Bioc 8401/GCD 8401 |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4004/GCD 3033/4005W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Bthx 5325/Phil 5325 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MILI 5990/6990/3585/5585 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |