Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology prepares creative research scientists for careers in teaching, research and biotechnology. Graduates possess an in-depth comprehension of experimental design at the cellular and molecular levels of biological organization, as well as competency in current techniques in the discipline. Major research emphases include signal transduction, biochemistry and pathobiology, gene regulation, cell systems biology, cell and tissue ultrastructure, membrane structure and function, molecular aspects of neurobiology and endocrinology, genetics and metabolism of microorganisms, virology and immunology and enzymology with an emphasis on protein dynamics and folding, as well as cytochrome P-450s.

The Ph.D. degree is offered in consortium with Cleveland Clinic and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Program faculty are drawn from several departments at Kent State and the other two institutions. Additional participant faculty are located at area clinical facilities and hospitals. This multi-departmental and inter-institutional structure gives doctoral candidates access to the talents of a broadly diverse research faculty as well as significant research facilities and resources.

The Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology major comprises the following concentrations:

• Cellular Biology and Structure
• Molecular Biology and Genetics

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Academic preparation adequate to complete graduate coursework in cell and molecular biology (recommended courses in chemistry, cell biology, genetics and biochemistry)
• Official transcript(s)
• Curriculum vitae/résumé is required starting with the fall 2024 admission term
• Goal statement (applicants should describe their research experience and goals in pursuing an advanced degree)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 600 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 100 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 85 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 68 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: December 1

Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
2. Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
3. Seek employment in fields that reflect their area of training.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Elective courses and research must be approved by the student's guidance committee.

²

Upon completion of course requirements and candidacy exam, doctoral students must register for BMS 80199 for two semesters for a total of 30 credit hours. Thereafter, it is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for BMS 80299 each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. As soon after completion of candidacy examination as possible, the dissertation committee will be established, consisting of the guidance committee and an outside discipline member – a graduate faculty member from another department at Kent State University or another program of the School of Biomedical Sciences. Students will submit to this committee their prospectus for the dissertation. The format of the prospectus will parallel that utilized for NIH grant proposals (without biographical, budget and facilities information). The dissertation committee may elect to examine the candidate on the proposal and may accept it as submitted or reject it with specific reasons and recommendations for reformulation.

Cellular Biology and Structure Concentration Requirements

Molecular Biology and Genetics Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Post-baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours, and post-master's students a minimum of 30 credit hours, of coursework prior to dissertation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology prepares creative research scientists for careers in teaching, research and biotechnology. Graduates possess an in-depth comprehension of experimental design at the cellular and molecular levels of biological organization, as well as competency in current techniques in the discipline. Major research emphases include signal transduction, biochemistry and pathobiology, gene regulation, cell systems biology, cell and tissue ultrastructure, membrane structure and function, molecular aspects of neurobiology and endocrinology, genetics and metabolism of microorganisms, virology and immunology and enzymology with an emphasis on protein dynamics and folding, as well as cytochrome P-450s.

The M.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology is offered in consortium with the Cleveland Clinic and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Program faculty are drawn from several departments at Kent State and the other two institutions. Additional participant faculty are located at area clinical facilities and hospitals. This multi-departmental and inter-institutional structure gives master's student access to the talents of a broadly diverse research faculty, as well as significant research facilities and resources.

The Biomedical Sciences–Cellular and Molecular Biology major comprises the following concentrations:

• Cellular Biology and Structure
• Molecular Biology and Genetics

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Academic preparation adequate to perform graduate work in the desired field (recommended courses in chemistry, cell biology, genetics and biochemistry)
• Official transcript(s)
• Curriculum vitae/résumé is required starting with the fall 2024 admission term
• Goal statement (applicants should describe their research experience and goal in pursuing an advanced degree)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 600 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 100 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 85 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 68 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: December 1

Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
2. Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
3. Seek employment in fields that reflect their area of training.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Elective courses and research must be approved by the student's thesis committee.

Cellular Biology and Structure Concentration Requirements

Molecular Biology and Genetics Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 17 credit hours of overall hours must be letter graded (required and elective courses).

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences–Human Evolutionary Biology emphasizes a biological approach to research problems focusing on human and non-human anthropology. The program focuses on human anatomy and neuroanatomy, developmental biology, evolutionary genetics, mammalian physiology, paleontology and experimental archaeology. Many graduates use their training and teaching experience to enter anthropology or corporate teaching positions. Most graduates are also prepared to teach both human anatomy and other cognate fields (neuroanatomy, cell biology, physiology, genetics) in demand at most medical schools.

The Ph.D. degree is offered in consortium with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Faculty in the program are drawn from the departments of Anthropology and the Biological Sciences at Kent State and the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at NEOMED. This inter-departmental and inter-institutional structure provides significant resources to the doctoral candidates, including the Hammon-Todd human and primate skeletal collection, state-of-the-art laboratories for neuroanatomy, anatomy, genetics, paleontology, biomechanics and experimental archaeology. Additional resources are available to students through the Cleveland Museum of National History, the Cleveland Metroparks zoo and other local, national and international collaborative relationships.

Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to engage, to the extent possible, in other activities that benefit their professional development. The teaching of laboratory and lecture course, as a appropriate is considered valuable, and each student should have this experience during their graduate career. This includes those students on non-teaching scholarships or research appointments during their tenure. Students should also seek membership in professional organizations, attend meetings to present research results and maintain currency in the relevant literature.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in anthropology or biological sciences from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 3.000 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Curriculum vitae/résumé is required starting with the fall 2024 admission term
• GRE scores
• Goal statement (applicants should describe their research experience and interests along with their goals in pursuing an advanced degree)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 600 TOEFL PBT score
  • Minimum 100 TOEFL IBT score
  • Minimum 85 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 68 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English score

¹

A student with an outstanding academic record may receive a waiver of the master’s degree requirement upon completion of 20 credit hours of graduate work and be admitted directly to the Ph.D. degree program.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: December 1

Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
2. Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
3. Seek employment after graduation in fields that reflect their area of training.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Courses equivalent to those in the core may be substituted with the approval of the program committee.

²

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for BMS 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for BMS 80199 and thereafter BMS 80299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

³

May be satisfied by courses taken at NEOMED or any College of Podiatric Medicine. Students should consult with their advisory committee.

⁴

Cognate and elective courses in related departments (e.g., anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry, geology and psychology) will be selected and approved by the student’s advisory committee.

• Delivery
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus