Overview of the Program

In the Doctoral Program in Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, academic requirements are divided into two areas: course work and dissertation research studies.

Students typically complete all necessary course work during Years 1 and 2 to allow them to focus their time on research during the remainder of their graduate studies.

Students should anticipate the completion of their graduate work in about five years of full-time study.

The minimum requirement for a doctoral degree from the University of Cincinnati is three years of full-time graduate study.

Eligibility for graduation requires a minimum of 90 graduate credits, the last 30 of which must be completed at the University of Cincinnati.

Financial Aid and Stipend Support

All doctoral students not already receiving a scholarship from a national or international institute, foundation or organization will receive a stipend (or graduate assistantship) worth $35,000 for the academic year 2024/2025. In addition, there is full remission of tuition, plus payment of additional student fees and single student health insurance. 

These awards are renewed annually for all students who remain in good academic standing, for a total of five years. No service-related functions (e.g., teaching and laboratory assistantships) are required.

All students are expected to devote full time (12 months per year) to their academic and research training.

Opportunities exist for the awarding of special fellowships or scholarships—not only are these prestigious awards but they also carry a modest increase in stipend levels.

An example would be the Albert J. Ryan Foundation Fellowships (awarded jointly to students at the University of Cincinnati, Dartmouth College and Harvard University).

Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for external fellowships to support their research studies—success in such applications will also result in a meritorious increase in the basic stipend level.