MCB students are required to complete 18 graded credits at the 500 level before taking their General Exam, in alignment with the UW Graduate School’s requirement (UW Graduate School Policy 1.1).
The MCB Electives Course List contains courses that count towards the 18-graded credits requirement. This list consists of courses taken by former MCB students and courses recommended by the Area of Interest Directors. For courses not included on this list, students must reach out to the MCB Office to confirm whether the course will count towards the 18-graded credits requirement before registering.
Students may take 400-level courses, however they must seek MCB Co-Director approval before registering for the course. Only one 400-level course will count towards the 18-graded credits requirement.
You may end up taking more than 18 graded credits (and you probably will).
Area of Interest Suggested Curriculum
Each Area of Interest has a set of suggested courses. These are meant to guide you in choosing classes. 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.
Course Planning
Important things to remember when designing your MCB curriculum:
- Always check the UW Time Schedule for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding when a course is currently being offered.
- 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 only 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.
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.
Mandatory Courses
The following courses are mandatory for all MCB students.
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
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: Autumn (AUT), every year
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 2.0
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: Winter (WIN), every year
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 0.5
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: Spring (SPR), every year
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 2.0
MCB Teaching Practicum
All MCB students are required to complete 2 Teaching Assistantships (TAships) during Year 2 and 3. Students may 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.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT/WIN/SPR/Summer (SUM)
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 2.0
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 0.0
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).
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: Variable, 1.0-10.0
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).
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT/WIN/SPR/SUM
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: Variable, 1.0-10.0
General Methods/Professional Development (GM/PD) Courses
The following courses are highly recommended for MCB students to take to further develop their professional skills. The recommended GM/PD courses are also available as a document download.
Developing Evidence-Based Instructional Materials and Teaching Strategies
Helps students develop a lesson within their discipline that is suitable for implementation in a job interview that requests a demonstration of teaching. Participants also gain broadly applicable skills in evidence-based teaching and backward course design.
Prerequisite: Completed general exam and approval from thesis advisor.
Instructions: Application submission required.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 2.0
Next offering: AUT 2026
Practicing Evidence-Based Instructional Materials and Teaching Strategies
Practical opportunity for students interested in high-level teaching methods for diverse student populations. Students apply teaching skills in an undergraduate University of Washington department.
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN/SPR
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 2.0
Next offering: WIN 2027/SPR 2027
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN, every year
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 3.0
Next offering: WIN 2027
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN, odd years
Weeks: 1-5
Credits: 1.5
Next offering: WIN 2027
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: SPR
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 3.0
Last offering: SPR 2026
Next offering: Tentatively SPR 2027
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: SUM. Course offering dependent on annual funding availability.
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 2.0
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.
Quarter and frequency offered: SUM, A-Term only, every year
Weeks: Information not available
Credits: 2.0
Last offering: SUM 2026
Next offering: SUM 2027