At a Glance


Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program


Welcome to Cell & Molecular Biology at Colorado State University!

We are glad you are interested in learning more about our diverse and tight-knit community. Check out the sections below to get to know CMB at a glance, and use the information in the Contact Us section of this page to reach out with your questions.

Application for Fall 2027 opens in August 2026

Overview

We are a highly interdisciplinary degree-granting program involving over 100 faculty from across the University who share common interests in cell and molecular biology.

Students are generally admitted as graduate teaching assistants with stipend and tuition support. During the first two semesters, they rotate through 3-4 laboratories to identify an advisor, while completing core coursework and teaching. After establishing themselves in a laboratory, PhD students take their preliminary exam and transition to candidacy by the end of the 5th semester.

The M.S. degree can be completed within two years and the Ph.D. degree within five years.

The vast majority of our graduates go on to research-related careers in academia or industry. During their time at CSU, we encourage our students to work on their soft
skills as well as obtain experience in industry through internships and externships.

Students admitted as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) receive support that includes tuition, health insurance* and a stipend in the first year. In subsequent years, students transition to T32 support or other fellowships, or are supported as Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) or GTAs. Tuition, stipend, fees and health insurance are generally covered until graduation. Stipend level for fall is set in spring each year.

*when registered for at least 5 credits, worth over $4,000.

The CMB program is the proud recipient of an NIH T32 Training Grant (GM132057). This award supports CMB PhD students to perform research that requires generation or analysis of high-dimensional data sets. Students will generally be supported on the T32 for two years of their PhD studies. Our T32 award runs through 2029 and supports ~8 students each year.

Highlights:

  • 2 year fellowships with stipend ($7,500 above NIH guidelines) plus tuition & fees
  • ~40 faculty preceptors provide training in wet lab and computational approaches
  • Facilitated external internships
  • Personalized career development
  • Networking & collaboration
  • Coursework in data generation and analysis

Sampling of Courses Available:

  • Linear algebra for non-mathematicians
  • Linux as a computational platform
  • Genomics data analysis in Python
  • RNA seq data analysis
  • Next Gen Seq Platforms & Libraries
  • R programming for Research
  • Microbial metagenomics
  • Metabolomics methods & analysis
  • Computational & Graphical Methods
  • Design and Data Analysis for Researchers

CMB Faculty research interests are very diverse, and highly interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to identify committee members and co-advisors with expertise in other disciplines and collaboration is common. Research areas include:

  • Cancer Biology
  • Gene Expression
  • Genome Structure, Evolution and Repair
  • Infectious Disease
  • Metabolism and Physiology
  • Microbiomes
  • Plant Molecular Biology
  • Prions and Neurobiology
  • Stem Cells and Development
  • Synthetic Biology

 

We offer training leading to a PhD or MS in Cell & Molecular Biology. A transcripted Specialization in Cancer Biology is also available, as well as Graduate Certificates in Data Analysis and Microbiome Science & Engineering.

Course Number

  • BC565
  • BC563
  • CM544
  • CM510
  • CM515
  • CM792
  • CM700
  • NSCI575

Course Description

  • Molecular Regulation of Cell Function
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Reproducible Research Methods
  • Introduction to Cell & Molecular Biology
  • Computational CMB
  • Cell and Molecular Biology Seminar
  • Critical Analysis of the Literature
  • Ethical Issues in Big Data Research

Credits

  • 4
  • 4
  • 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1
  • 2
  • 1

We accept domestic applications from August until December 1 each year for admission the following fall. Virtual first round interviews are held in January. On campus interviews for top-ranked domestic applicants are held in late March.

Unofficial transcripts, personal statement and recommendation letters are required for review. GRE scores are NOT required.

Application fees are waived for certain groups including most applicants with degrees from Colorado Institutions.

https://gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply/
https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/skip-the-application-fee/

Please note the CMB application for fall 2027 will not open until August 2026.

CMB employs a holistic application review process evaluating research experience and other factors influencing preparation for graduate school, as well as grades and coursework.

Our primary means of communication with prospective students and within CMB is via email.

You are welcome to contact us at any time. However, please thoroughly review our website and attached materials prior to reaching out with questions, as many of them will be answered by a quick read. This allows us to answer your more complex questions most efficiently. Thank you!

Email: [email protected]

Please note that as our department is inherently interdisciplinary, faculty and staff are spread out across campus, and there will not always be someone physically present in the office at:

Room 220 Student Services Building
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523

The homepage of this website can be found at: https://cmb.colostate.edu or by clicking on “Cell and Molecular Biology” in the header of this page.

Director: Carol Wilusz
Tel: (970) 491 4919
Email: [email protected]