Graduate Program  

MOB Curriculum

Florida State University come from many different scientific backgrounds and our curriculum is designed with the flexibility to meet individual goals. You will take a minimal number of required courses and choose from a large and growing range of elective courses so that your training can be tailored specifically to your research interests. Our program is designed so that you spend the maximum amount of time in research training rather than in the classroom.

Students enter the program on the Molecular Biophysics track (major code 17710) or the Computational Structural Biology track (major code 117712). MOB faculty members can be mentors to students in either track.

All students take a total of at least 18 credit hours of graduate level courses.

Required courses for all MOB students:

• BCH 5505 Structure and Function of Enzymes
• BCH 5745 Chemical and Physical Characterization of Biopolymers
• PCB 5137 Advanced Cell Biology
• Responsible Conduct of Research

Students will select at least 3 additional electives in consultation with their supervisory committee. Some suggested electives are listed below depending on the major code. However, students have the flexibility to take any appropriate graduate level science course to provide additional foundation in their area of research interest.

• Molecular Biophysics (117710)
  • BCH 5405 Molecular Biology for Biochemists
  • PCB 5595 Advanced Molecular Biology
  • BCH 5887 Programming for Chemists and Biochemists
• Computational Structural Biology (117712)
  • MAP 5485 Mathematical Biophysics
  • MAP 5486 Computational Methods in Biology
  • CHM 5480 Statistical Thermodynamics
• Additional suggested electives for both tracks
  • PHZ 5715 Biophysics I
  • PCB 5845 Cell and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Special Topics Courses in Techniques:
    • 3D Electron Microscopy
    • X-ray Crystallography
    • Spectroscopy
    • Other special topics courses as offered
• At least three rotations working in labs of MOB faculty, extending over Fall and Spring of the first year, and lasting approximately 8 weeks each
• One semester of teaching in your second or third year
• Weekly participation in the Biophysics seminar series

Additional MOB Requirements

• Successful completion of a qualifying examination consisting of a written and oral component
• Successful presentation and defense of your research proposal, after which you will be admitted to doctoral candidacy
• The University requires that the degree be completed within 5 calendar years from the time the student gains admittance to candidacy
• Successful defense of an innovative and noteworthy doctoral dissertation

Important Links

• Admission Requirements
• Curriculum
• Financial Support
• Faculty Research

Want more information?

MOB Graduate Program Associate
Lyn Kittle | lkittle@fsu.edu
850-644-1012 | mob@sb.fsu.edu

MOB Graduate Program Director
Dr. Hong Li

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