Molecular Biology

Graduate Information

Graduate Information

Faculty

Greg L. Harris, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Director of the Molecular Biology Institute
Sanford I. Bernstein, Ph.D., Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Biology, Emeritus
Richard M. Cripps, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Robert A. Edwards, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Christopher C. Glembotski, Ph.D., Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Biology
Tom Huxford, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Scott T. Kelley, Ph.D., Professor of Biology (Graduate Adviser, Molecular Biology, M.S. Program)
Stanley R. Maloy, Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation in Graduate and Research Affairs
Kathleen L. McGuire, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Emeritus
Penelope J.E. (Jenny) Quintana, Ph.D., Professor of Public Health
Forest L. Rohwer, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Anca Mara Segall, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Mark A. Sussman, Ph.D., Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Biology
Elizabeth R. Waters, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Roland Wolkowicz, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Ricardo M. Zayas Ventura, Ph.D., Professor of Biology (Graduate Adviser, Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program)
Robert W. Zeller, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Chair of Department
Ralph Feuer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology
Marina Kalyuzhnaya, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology
John J. Love, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Manal A. Swairjo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemsitry
Peter van der Geer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Carrie D. House, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Robert J. Luallen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Dwayne R. Roach, Ph.d., Assistant Professor of Biology
Nicholas J. Shikuma, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Christal D. Sohl, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Adjunct Faculty

Jeremy Barr, Ph.D., San Diego State University
Alex Burgin, Ph.D., Emerald Biostructures
Maurizio C. Capogrossi, M.D., L’Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata (IDI - IRCCS)
Karen Clingerman, D.V.M., The Scripps Research Institute
Thomas Cujec, Ph.D., Eli Lilly
Adrienne Dubin, Ph.D., The Scripps Research Institute
Kim Finley, Ph.D., SDSU Donald P. Shiley BioScience Center
Roger Allyn Forsyth, Ph.D., San Diego State University
Natalie Gude, Ph.D., San Diego State University
Deron Herr, Ph.D., National University of Singapore
Phyllis-Jean Linton, Ph.D., SDSU Donald P. Shiley BioScience Center
Aram Megighian, Ph.D., University of Padova
Girish Melkani, Ph.D., San Diego State University
James W. Neel, Ph.D., San Diego State University, Emeritus
Kent Osborn, Ph.D., San Diego State University
Joy A. Phillips, Ph.D., SDSU Donald P. Shiley BioScience Center
Clemencia Pinilla, Ph.D., Torrey Pines Research Institute
Coralie Poizat, Ph.D., King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh
Moselio Schaechter, Ph.D., San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego
Marilyn Thoman, Ph.D., SDSU Donald P. Shiley BioScience Center
John D. Trawick, Ph.D., San Diego State Institute
Mirko Volkers, M.D., San Diego State University
Gregor Zlokarnik, Ph.D., Vertex Pharmaceuticals

General Information

The Molecular Biology Institute (MBI) administers the Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees in biology with a concentration in molecular biology. The MBI is currently composed of members from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the School of Public Health, and is designed to serve these departments in the coordination, support, and enhancement of research and training in the molecular biological sciences. See Biology in this section of the bulletin for information on how to apply.

Graduate teaching associateships in biology and chemistry are available to qualified students. Application blanks and additional information may be obtained from the graduate coordinator of biology and are also available at http://www.bio.sdsu.edu.

Admission to Graduate Study

Candidates for admission may come from a variety of disciplines in the biological and physical sciences. Ultimately, the research programs of individuals wishing to pursue master’s degree work in molecular biology will be carried out under the supervision of MBI members.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing as described in Admission and Registration , a student must satisfy the following admission requirements before being recommended for admission.

Possess a bachelor’s degree with a major in a biological or physical science equivalent to that offered at San Diego State University.
Have a grade point average of 2.85 or better in work taken for the baccalaureate degree.
Meet biology departmental expectations on the GRE General Test.
Supply two letters of reference that describe the applicant’s potential for graduate work.

Students who do not meet all of the above requirements for admission may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate standing upon the recommendation of the MBI faculty. Students so admitted will be advised as to the nature of their deficiency and the time allowed to achieve full classified graduate standing.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy, including the language other than English requirement for the master of arts degree, as stated in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . Satisfactory progress on the thesis research will be prerequisite to obtaining departmental approval for advancement.