MCB students must take a total of 18 graded credits throughout their years of study. They must be 500-level courses. You may end up taking more than 18 graded credits (and you probably will).
Important things to remember when designing your MCB curriculum:
- Some courses may still be under development or not currently offered because there is an instructor vacancy to fill.
- Some courses are offered every other year, or during even/odd years.
- Some courses have limited enrollment so register early to avoid getting shut out.
- Remember to pace yourself! Spread your graded courses throughout Year 1 & 2. Aim for 9-12 credits by the end of Spring quarter in Year 1.
- Make the most of your time – look for classes at the institution where you are rotating. Avoid having a class in the morning and in the afternoon on the same day.
- When enrolling for elective classes, do so before the start of the quarter. Low enrollment numbers can cause instructors to cancel classes for lack of interest. If you wait until the last minute to enroll, there might not be any class to take.
- Always check the UW Time Schedule for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding when a course is currently being offered.
You must get at least a 2.7 for a class to count for your graduate credit. You must stay above a 3.0 average in good standing with MCB & the Graduate School.
The following courses are mandatory for all MCB students.
MCB 514 – MCB Tutorial
This course aims to help first year graduate students in the MCB graduate program jump start their graduate career. First year graduate students will identify and practice skills associated with a productive, engaging and timely PhD. Major topics include: a) learning how to navigate graduate school and become successful as a graduate student; b) increasing effectiveness in reading the literature and presenting papers to a broad scientific audience; and c) learning how to assemble and effectively deploy a mentorship team to productively advance the career of choice. First year MCB students must engage in discussions about graduate school challenges, scientific discovery and discourse, and career development.
Offered AUT, 2 credits, weeks 1-10
MCB 515 – MCB Literature Review
This course aims to help first year graduate students in the MCB graduate program develop skills to present research and engage an audience. First year graduate students will present recent research findings from the literature and elicit discussion from their first year colleagues. The topic leaders will interact with faculty experts to fill gaps in knowledge and stimulate discussion. All students are expected to read the presented literature and participate in topical discussions.
Offered WIN, 0.5 credits, weeks 1-10
MCB 516 – MCB Grant Development
This course aims to help first year graduate students in the MCB graduate program develop skills to write and review grants. First year graduate students will write an NIH NRSA style proposal on their research and work with their first year colleagues to edit and hone the proposal. The course will culminate in an NIH-style study section process to review and critique the proposals.
Offered SPR, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10
MCB 580 – MCB Teaching Practicum
All MCB students are required to complete 2 TAships during the Second and Third Year. Students complete either 2 academic TAships or 1 academic TAship and 1 community outreach TAship. The MCB Office will register students for MCB 580 in the quarter they complete an academic TAship or in the quarter after they complete a community outreach TAship.
Offered AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10
MCB 599 – MCB Research in Molecular & Cellular Biology
Laboratory rotations with MCB Faculty. Students carry out individual research projects and participate in journal club and lab meetings. Students present oral and written reports of their research project at the end of each quarter.
Offered AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM, 0.0 credits, weeks 1-10
MCB 600 – MCB Independent Study/Research
Before passing the General Exam register for 1.0-10.0 variable credits. Register with Faculty Code (available from the MCB Office).
Offered AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM, variable credits, weeks 1-10
MCB 800 – MCB Doctoral Dissertation
After passing the General Exam, register for 1.0-10.0 variable credits. Register with Faculty Code (available from the MCB Office).
Offered AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM, variable credits, weeks 1-10
The following courses are highly recommended for MCB students to take to further develop their professional skills.
GM/PD Courses Document Download (PDF)
BIOL 508 – Developing Evidence-Based Instructional Materials and Teaching Strategies
Trainees form teams of three to develop their own course materials. They also work with an experienced teacher-educator to learn teaching strategies and practice teaching skills.
Prerequisite: BIOL 508, completed general exam, and approval from thesis advisor.
Offered AUT, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered. Expected to be offered in 2026-27.
BIOL 509 – Practicing Evidence-Based Instructional Materials and Teaching Strategies
Each team of three trainees (from BIOL 508) delivers a 10-week, special topics seminar course in Biology in either winter or spring quarter. A mentor observes class meetings, and after class meets with the trainees to discuss the strengths of their teaching and to brainstorm on strategies to addressing areas that need improvement.
Offered WIN/SPR, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Not currently offered. Expected to be offered in 2026-27.
CENV 500 – Communicating Science to the Public Effectively
Teaches emerging scientists how to effectively communicate their research to the public. Uses lessons and tools such as group discussion, feedback, and practice.
Note: Space is limited in this course and it often fills quickly, with an extensive waitlist. An application process and expectation agreement must be completed by the student to be considered for the course. Please reach out to the instructor for more information about the application process.
Offered WIN, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10, every year. Will be offered in Winter 2026.
MCB 512 – Scientific Speaking Seminar
A crucial part of a scientific career is the ability to effectively deliver a research seminar. This course will focus on all aspects of giving a seminar and teach students how to introduce the research topic, how to make clear and effective slides, and how to explain methods and data in a clear manner. Students will prepare their own research seminar throughout the course. Each week they will practice a part of it and receive feedback from other students and the instructors. By the end of the course, students will have an entire seminar about their thesis project prepared. The course will also give examples of good and bad seminars and help students learn how to communicate with non-scientists about their research. Offered jointly with CONJ 512.
Offered WIN, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-5, odd years. Will be offered in WIN 2027.
MCB 543 – Logic Constructs and Methodologies of Biological Research
Explores the logic and methods of general scientific practice, form historical, logical, and practical points of view. Covers philosophical and methodological matters upon which there is consensus, and cutting issues of ongoing controversy. Includes both theoretical and practical application of scientific method.
3.0 credits. Not currently offered.
MCB 560 – MCB Biotechnology Externship
This externship program provides MCB students with the opportunity to gain firsthand research experience in biotechnology companies in the Puget Sound area. Applications are available in the early spring and reviewed by the Externship Program Director. Applications are submitted to participating companies to find a suitable match. This externship is only available during the summer between Year 1 and Year 2 to students who have completed 3 rotations and identified a dissertation laboratory. Students are supported by MCB for the summer quarter.
Offered SUM, 2.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Course offering dependent on annual funding availability.
P BIO 519 – Membrane and Muscle Biophysics Seminar
This course will allow graduate students to learn presentation tools to improve their skills. Students will attend scientific seminars given by Postdoctoral Fellows from the Departments of Physiology and Biophysics and Pharmacology, presenting their current research on cell membrane function, cell physiology, and muscle contraction. A discussion session will follow each seminar with emphasis on two aspects; the first will be a scientific discussion to identify the scientific question, experimental approaches, and conclusions of the research; the second will focus on the presentation techniques.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Offered SPR, 1.0 credit. Not currently offered.
UCONJ 510 – Introductory Laboratory Based Biostatistics
Introduces methods of data description and statistical inference for experiments. Covers principles of design and analysis of experiments; descriptive statistics; comparison of group means and proportions; linear regression; and correlation. Emphasizes examples from laboratory-based biomedical sciences, and provides demonstrations using standard statistical programs.
Offered SUM – A-Term only, 2.0 credits. Not currently offered.
Working with Datasets
As a graduate student, you will likely encounter and work with a large dataset. Classes that include computational work, such MCB 536 (Tools for Computational Biology) for example, may be of interest to students. We encourage you to review the foundational and elective courses under the Computational Biology Area of Interest Suggested Curriculum for more computational course suggestions.
Area of Interest Suggested Curriculum
Each Area of Interest has a set of suggested courses. These are meant to guide you in choosing classes, they are not requirements. We highly encourage you to take the Foundational courses in your Area(s) of Interest. Electives are more specialized and often cross between Areas of Interest. View the various Area of Interest pages for more information.