Molecular Biosciences

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission into the Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biosciences Program must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School in addition to the program’s specific requirements.

Each applicant must have a minimum of a B.S. in a basic or applied science, although preference may be given to M.S. level applicants. In addition
to official transcripts, applicants must also provide official Graduate Record Examination scores for the Verbal, Analytical and Quantitative tests. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination showing a score of 150 on both the verbal and quantitative tests or a combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections for scores that used the old scoring system are the minimum requirements. Although not required, scores from an advanced test related to Molecular Biosciences may increase a candidate’s chance for admission. Once the basic Graduate School application requirements are met, applications will be forwarded to the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee for their consideration and determination for student admission. Applicants are advised that admission to the Graduate School does not imply admission to the Molecular Biosciences Ph.D. Program. Other materials required of MBS applicants are three letters of recommendation and a statement of research interests that includes identification of possible faculty mentors. Foreign applicants must also meet the requirements of the Office of International Programs.

Admission to the Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences Degree Program

Applicants to the Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences Program must have a minimum of a B.S. in a basic or applied science, although preference may be given to M.S. level applicants.  Applicants must submit the following to the Graduate School by February 15 for consideration for Fall admission:

1. A completed online application for admission to the A-State Graduate School (or to the Office of International Programs for international students). 
2. One copy of official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate course work attempted, to be sent directly from the institution(s) previously attended. 
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A personal statement (maximum of two pages) describing the student’s academic and research goals. 
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the Verbal, Analytical and Quantitative tests.  The minimum combined Verbal and Quantitative scores must be 1000 (old scoring system), tests using the new scoring system, minimum of 150 on both the verbal & quantitative required.

Graduate Student Support

Any university support, whether as a Graduate Teaching Assistant or as a Graduate Research Assistant, will be awarded competitively through the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee. Students may also be supported from faculty research grants. 

Doctoral Advisory Committees

During the first year of their program of study, each student is expected to identify a Doctoral Advisory Committee Chair to direct the research of the student and who must be approved by the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee and the graduate dean. In addition to the chair, the Doctoral Advisory Committee will consist of members of the graduate faculty and other professionals as deemed appropriate and approved by the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee, the Molecular Biosciences Program director and the graduate dean. Each committee must have at least four members. The Doctoral Advisory Committee is to review the student’s dissertation proposal, administer the Qualifying and Candidacy Exams and provide guidance toward the successful completion of the research project.

Students in the program without a designated committee chair during their first semester will be assigned an interim adviser by the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee and the graduate dean. The primary role of the interim adviser will be to establish a tentative curriculum for the student, pending establishment of the Doctoral Advisory Committee. An interim adviser may serve for a maximum of one year until a permanent advisory committee chair is selected.

Membership of Advisory Committees may be changed if either the student or a member of their committee feels that such a change is appropriate and the requested change is approved by the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee and the graduate dean. Such a change will not be approved except in clearly unusual circumstances. If approval is given, the student will be notified in writing by the Graduate School.

General Program Of Study

A program of study, to be developed by the Doctoral Advisory Committee in consultation with the student, is to be submitted to the Director of the Molecular Biosciences Program for approval no later than one calendar year after admission to the program. As a reflection of the interdisciplinary nature of the program, a course of study will be tailored to each student’s own scholarly interests, research, and proposed career direction. General course requirements are outlined on the Molecular Biosciences home page under “Program of Study for the Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences”.

Each Doctoral Advisory Committee will meet at least once a year to review and provide a written report of the student’s progress. 

Satisfactory Progress

Students are required to earn a grade of “B” or better in all courses attempted. A single instance of a grade below "C" within the student's immediate research topic area will be accepted for courses outside the student’s immediate research topic area. A second instance of a grade of “C” or a single instance of a grade below “C” will be cause for the review of the student’s status within the program by the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee. After such review, the Program Committee may recommend dismissal of the student from the program.

Time To Degree

A minimum of 72 graduate credits beyond the baccalaureate degree or 45 graduate credits beyond the master’s degree is required. All requirements for the degree must be completed within eight calendar years of admission to the program. Requirements subsequent to admission to candidacy must be completed within four calendar years of admission to candidacy.

A student exceeding the time limit may be required to repeat the qualifying examination, replace out-of-date credits with up-to-date ones, and/or show other evidence of being cur-rent within both the core curriculum and the student’s area of specialization. Extension of the eight-year requirement will be granted only if a student has obtained prior approval from his or her Doctoral Advisory Committee, the Molecular Biosciences Program Committee and the Arkansas State University Graduate School.

Qualifying Examination

The student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee will administer a Qualifying Examination as one means of assessing a student’s preparedness for doctoral level study. This exam will consist of the student’s written dissertation proposal which is then orally defended. The student may be required to take additional academic work at the discretion of the committee. All dissertation research proposals must be approved by the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee through the mechanism of a dissertation proposal seminar. It is the responsibility of the student to file an announcement of the seminar with the program office at least two weeks in advance of the seminar. The seminar will be an open forum. The candidate will be notified in writing of the committee’s approval. If required by the committee, the candidate may hold a second seminar in order to meet the committee’s approval. This exam must be taken during the third semester, and successfully completed no later than the end of the fourth semester.

Admission To Candidacy

A student may apply for admission to candidacy upon successful completion of the Qualifying Examination and defense of the dissertation proposal. A student may not apply for candidacy while on probation or with a GPA of less than 3.00.

Candidacy Examination

The Candidacy Examination is designed to assess a student’s ability to develop and defend a hypothesis-driven research proposal outside the area of the student’s thesis project. The selected topic must be approved by the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee. The format of the proposal will follow that of either NSF or NIH guidelines or another federal agency approved by the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee. The seminar will include an open forum and, if required, may involve a second seminar in order to meet with the Doctoral Advisory Committee’s approval. This exam must be completed within one year after passing the Qualifying Exam. 

Dissertation Defense

After the research is completed, the student will submit a draft of the dissertation to his or her Doctoral Advisory Committee. Upon the recommendation of the Committee, the candidate will arrange with the chair of the Doctoral Advisory Committee to schedule and conduct a presentation of the results.

The candidate will also be required to orally defend the dissertation before the Doctoral Advisory Committee, members of the faculty, students and interested persons. Arrangements for the dissertation defense will be made through the Molecular Biosciences Program Office, but announced by the Graduate School. Students are advised to be aware of the deadlines set by the Graduate School for submission of defense results and dissertations. 

The defense must occur at least four weeks before the date of graduation. A successful defense receives no more than one negative vote by the members of the Doctoral Advisory Committee. Failure of the defense requires a one semester probation before a second defense can be scheduled. A second failure of the defense results in elimination from the program.

Deadline For Submission

The completed dissertation must follow the format requirements of the Graduate School as contained in the Guide to Dissertations and Theses: Preparation and Electronic Submissions. Before submission online, the completed dissertation must be approved by the advisory committee. Candidates will also be responsible for the preparation of an abstract of the dissertation, not to exceed 350 words, which will be submitted with the completed dissertation.

The student is required to purchase four copies of the bound dissertation for the  A-State Library, the Graduate School, the Molecular Biosciences Program Office, and the dissertation advisor.

Checklist for the Last Semester Before Graduation 

1. In the last semester before graduation, candidates must register for the graduation fee.
2. File an Intent to Graduate Form with the graduate dean by the relevant deadline.
3. Complete the oral defense of the dissertation.
4. Submit the dissertation by the relevant deadline.

Curriculum

All candidates for a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biosciences are required to complete or have completed the specified core courses and elective courses, or their equivalent, as directed by the student's Doctoral Advisory Committee. All candidates must attend every Molecular Biosciences Seminar when in residence on campus. Each Ph.D. student must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Molecular Biosciences approved course work (including the specified 9 credits in Core Technical courses, 1 credit in Responsible Conduct in Research and 4 credits from the Techniques in Molecular Biosciences course). Students must also take the Seminar in Molecular Biosciences every semester plus a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research credits along with any other academic studies required by the student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee. The committee may alter or require additional academic work as it deems appropriate to meet the student’s specific program needs. The committee will also provide a written plan of study by semester for each student.

Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

Visit the bulletins page >>

Any additional coursework requirements will be determined by the Doctoral Advisory Committee to meet the student's specific program needs. Each candidate for the Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences must execute an original and rigorous research project culminating in the completion and defense of a dissertation.

Minimum hours required for this program: 72 or 45 plus a master's degree

• Dr.  Malathi Srivatsan   PhD - Neuroscience, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
  Director of Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program,  Assistant Director of Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Professor of Molecular Neurobiology
  Research Interest:  Neuroscience (neuroprotection, Stem cell Differentiation, Trophic mechanisms and Bioengineering approaches)
• Dr. Jennifer Bouldin  PhD -  Environmental Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR
  Director of the Ecotoxicology Research Facility, Associate Professor of Environmental Biology
  Research Interests:  Aquatic ecotoxicology, Modification of agricultural runoff, Sediments, sediment remediation, Nanotoxicity
• Dr. Carole Cramer  PhD -  Biological Sciences (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry), University of California, Irvine, CA
  Professor of Molecular Biology
  Research Interests:  Plant-based  production of proteins and vaccines, subcellular trafficking, immune-presentation of proteins
• Dr. Maureen Dolan   PhD - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida
  Associate Professor of Molecular Biology
  Research Interests:  Plant-based production of recombinant proteins , high throughput diagnostics for the food and plant industries.
• Dr. Elizabeth Hood   Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis (Plant Biology)
  Lipscomb Distinguished Professor of Agriculture
  Research Interests:  Renewable resources (biomass to ethanol), Foreign gene expression in plants, Plant cell wall structure &  function
• Dr. Xiuzhen Huang   Ph. D., Computer Science, Texas A&M University at College Station
  Associate professor of computer science
  Research Interests:  Bioinformatics, Graph theory and algorithms, Computational complexity and approximation
• Dr. Argelia Lorence   Ph.D. Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Mexico
  Associate Professor in Metabolic Engineering
  Research Interests:  Plant metabolic engineering, Vitamin C metabolism, Plant stress tolerance, Phytoremediation
• Dr. Travis Marsico   PhD  Biology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
  Assistant Professor of Biology, Curator of STAR Herbarium
  Research Interests:  Coevolution of Plant-Insect Interactions using  prickly pear cacti and cactus-feeding moths, Flora of Arkansas
• Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar   PhD  Plant Physiology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
  Associate Professor of Metabolic Engineering
  Research Interests:  Discovery and Production of Valuable Plant-Derived Chemicals & pharmaceuticals using "hairy roots"
• Dr. Amy R. Pearce Ph.D., Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  Associate Professor of Psychology  
  Research Interests:  Environmental influences on drug addiction, Effects of nicotine on behavior, Evolution of mating preferences
• Dr. Gregory Phillips  Ph.D., University of Kentucky (Crop Science)
  Professor of Plant Biotechnology
  Research Interests:  Plant biotechnology, genetic improvement, Plant metabolic engineering, Bioenergy
• Dr. Brett Savary   Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Plant Physiology
  Research Professor of Protein Chemistry
  Research Interests:  polysaccharide-modifying enzymes, Functional protein and polysaccharide analyses, Cell wall biochemistry
• Dr. Jianfeng (jay) Xu    Ph.D. Dalian University of Technology in Dalian, China (Biochemical Engineering)
  Associate Professor of Biochemical Engineering
  Research Interests:  Biofuels & Bioprocess Engineering, Plant Culture for  Recombinant Proteins, Cell-Free Protein Expression
• Dr. Shiguang Yu   PhD  Developmental Biology,  Shandong University, China
  Assistant Professor of Immunology
  Regulation of autoimmune T cell activation, Role of B cells in autoimmune diseases (autoimmune thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Dr. Guolei Zhou  Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ,  Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
  Assistant Professor of Biology
  Research Interests:  Cell biology and role of cell signaling in cancer (Breast cancer and Pancreatic cancer)