Course Requirements

For students entering the Cell and Developmental Biology department from the MSTP program, the Graduate School permits a transfer of up to 48 credit hours for the first two years of medical school, toward a total of the 72 total required hours for a Ph.D. degree. The CDB Department recognizes Molecular Foundations of Medicine (CBIO 381) for one didactic credit, and Structure, Function and Development (CBIO 382) for ten didactic credits. Thus, incoming MSTP students begin their G1 year with the equivalent of 11 didactic credits toward the requirement of 24 didactic hours. MSTP seminars are recognized as providing 2 hours of didactic credit during the student’s G1 year. 

Starting the next fall semester, CDB graduate students take CBIO 310 (Cell Biology) (see chart below). Attendance and participation in two departmental seminar series, Research Colloquium (CBIO 330) and Research Seminar (CBIO 339) are also required in the fall and spring semesters.  In addition to these courses, students entering CDB from the IGP must earn an additional 3 didactic credits in their second year of study from elective courses offered by any department.  Additional course requirements for MSTP students in the CDB Graduate Program are provided in the MSTP Handbook. A minimum GPA of 3.0, or a B average, must be maintained by all CDB students in all formal course work.

After earning 24 didactic credits, students are eligible to take their qualifying examination.

Detailed information about earning a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology can be found in the CDB Graduate Program guidelines and procedures.

Additional information about graduate study at Vanderbilt can be obtained from the Vanderbilt Graduate School and Biomedical Research Education and Training office BRET.