Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Stem Cell Biology M.S.Stem Cell Institute
Medical School
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Stem Cell Institute, 2001 6th Street S.E., Mail Code 2873, Minneapolis, MN 55455-3007
Email:
scbgrad@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 advisor. Part-time students choosing Plan B are expected to complete the degree within 3 years by taking take one to two courses per semester, excluding summers.
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 University's 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
20
major credits,
up to
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
30
major credits and
up to
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.
Plan Options
Plan A Course and Thesis
Required Plan A Course (1 credit)
SCB 5051 - Stem Cell Biology Practical Training Module
(1.0 cr)
Thesis Credits
Take 10 master's thesis credits. Students are recommended to take five thesis credits in spring of the first year, and the remaining five in fall of the second year.
SCB 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
(1.0-18.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B Course
Take the following course:
SCB 5900 - Master's Plan B Research Paper and Presentation
(2.0 cr)
Required Coursework (14 to 15 credits)
Plan A and Plan B students take the following courses. All required courses must be taken A/F.
Core Courses (9 credits)
Take SCB 5054 three times for a total of 6 credits.
SCB 5054 - Stem Cell Institute Research Seminar and Journal Club
(2.0 cr)
SCB 8181 - Stem Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
Option 1: Molecular Biology Course (3 to 4 credits)
Students complete either Option 1 or Option 2.
Select at least one of the following courses.
GCD 4034 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
(3.0 cr)
or
GCD 8131 - Advanced Molecular Genetics and Genomics
(3.0 cr)
or
Students complete either Option 1 or Option 2.
Both of the following courses are required.
BIOC 8007 - Molecular Biology of the Genome
(2.0 cr)
BIOC 8008 - Molecular Biology of the Transcriptome
(2.0 cr)
Other Courses
Take at least one of the following courses, or other 5000-level or 8000-level course approved prior to registration by the SCB program, for a minimum of two credits.
GCD 8161 - Advanced Cell Biology and Development
(2.0 cr)
or
GCD 8008 - Mammalian Gene Transfer and Genome Engineering
(2.0 cr)
or
BTHX 8000 - Advanced Topics in Bioethics
(1.0-4.0 cr)
or
BTHX 5210 - Ethics of Human Subjects Research
(3.0 cr)
or
BTHX 5325 - Biomedical Ethics
(3.0 cr)
or
BTHX 5400 - Intro Ethics in Hlth Policy
(3.0 cr)
or
BTHX 5100 - Introduction to Clinical Ethics
(3.0 cr)
or
BTHX 5000 - Topics in Bioethics
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Electives
Take elective credits from the following list, or other courses in consultation with the advisor, to complete the minimum credit requirement.
Take 5 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)
·
CSCI 5461 - Functional Genomics, Systems Biology, and Bioinformatics
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5465 - Introduction to Computing for Biologists
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 4161 - Developmental Biology
(3.0 cr)
·
GCD 5005 - Computer Programming for Biology
(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)
·
MICA 8014 - Small RNA Biology
(2.0 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)
·
NSCI 4101 - Development of the Nervous System: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms
(3.0 cr)
·
NSCI 5101 - Neurobiology I: Molecules, Cells, and Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
PHCL 5110 - Introduction to Pharmacology
(3.0 cr)
·
PHCL 5112 - Foundations of Biomedical Research
(1.0-2.0 cr)
·
PHSL 5061 - Principles of Physiology for Biomedical Engineering
(4.0 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)
·
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I
(4.0 cr)
·
PUBH 6451 - Biostatistics II
(4.0 cr)
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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: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
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 -4.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Every 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 & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
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 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 Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 3003/CSci 5465 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
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 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 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] |
Course Equivalencies: | Nsci 4100/Nsci 8211 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & 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: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
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: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |