Are you interested in the study of the building blocks of matter? A doctorate in Molecular Biology might be an option for you. However, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology degree programs are rarely offered in a 100% online format due to several laboratory activities that require on-campus presence.
A blend of classroom and online coursework is typical for this type of degree program. Luckily, there are very few schools that offer hybrid learning in attaining a doctorate in molecular biology.
Do not be discouraged by the rarity of the completely online programs of this degree since some schools or universities can offer you a flexible and convenient way of earning your degree through a self-paced and untraditional format of learning.
Ph.D. Mol Biol graduate programs are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need for possible employment opportunities in agriculture, biotechnology, and healthcare.
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Best Doctor of Molecular Biology
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
PH.D. IN MOLECULES, CELLS, AND ORGANISMS
School Highlights: Undoubtedly, Harvard University is one of the top institutions of higher education in the entire world. Its educational standards are at the zenith of quality and order, and the programs give students access to academia’s most prestigious and well-respected resources.
The Ph.D. in molecular biology is offered as a distinctive Molecules, Cells, and Organisms program. This interdisciplinary and interdepartmental degree gives students an unmatched range of research opportunities in areas such as computational biology, neurobiology, and genetics.
Its mission is to enhance the research capabilities of the biological sciences beyond current limitations. It is instructed by the globe’s most superlative scientists and researchers.
Coursework Sample:
- Genetics, Genomics, and Evolutionary Biology
- Cellular Biology, Neurobiology, and Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry, Chemical, and Structural Biology
Campus Location: Cambridge, MA
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
Acceptance Rate: 3% Retention Rate: 96% Graduation Rate: 97%
LEARN MORE ABOUT HARVARD UNIVERSITY’S DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
PH.D. IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
School Highlights: Another of the country’s most exceedingly well-respected schools, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the world’s premier institution for the study and research of STEM disciplines. Its Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biology can be allied with three fascinating research areas in molecular biology, all of which can be found listed below.
However, MIT gives doctoral students the flexibility and freedom to design their own approach to their curriculum and research, and their decisions are supported by an incredibly diverse team of faculty members. Graduates from this outstanding school go on to create massive change within the field of molecular biology.
Research Opportunities:
- Molecular Ecology
- Molecular Medicine and Human Diseases
- Planet Molecular Biology
Campus Location: Cambridge, MA
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
Acceptance Rate: 4% Retention Rate: 94% Graduation Rate: 95%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY’S PH.D. IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
PHD IN MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
School Highlights: Stanford University is yet another of the world’s most highly respected schools where students gain an immeasurable amount of notability for their education, knowledge, and skill. The Doctor of Philosophy program in Molecular and Cellular Physiology allows students to focus their coursework in an area of the discipline that best fits their career and research goals.
The overall goal of the degree is focused on an understanding of cell signaling, but some popular themes taken on by doctoral students include:
- biophysics,
- structural biology,
- and molecular biology.
Like the two preceding educational institutions on this list, Stanford University’s excellence is clearly visible in its near-perfect graduation and retention rates.
Coursework Sample:
- Imaging: Biological Light Microscopy
- Directing Reading in Molecular and Cellular Physiology
- how Cells Work: Energetics, Compartments, and Coupling in Cell Biology
Campus Location: Stanford, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Acceptance Rate: 4% Retention Rate: 98% Graduation Rate: 94%
LEARN MORE ABOUT STANFORD UNIVERSITY’S PHD PROGRAM IN MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY—PHD
School Highlights: At Michigan Technological University, doctoral students in Molecular Biology focus their degree on one of a vast number of different areas, including but not limited to:
- tree genetics,
- algal polymers,
- microRNAs,
- gene silencing,
- nanotechnology and nanomedicine,
- and aggregation diseases.
Due to the degree’s biochemistry specialization, this program concentrates on health and medical research disciplines as such applies to the field of molecular biology. The array of coursework addresses the global need for more scientists who can solve issues in disease treatment, human health, and the environment.
Online students at MTU work with academically distinguished professors of chemistry, integrative physiology, and more!
Research Opportunities:
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Biotechnology
- Conservation Genetics
Campus Location: Houghton, MI
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate: 86% Retention Rate: 86% Graduation Rate: 70%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN TECH’S ONLINE PHD IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
DOCTOR OF BIOLOGY (PHD)
School Highlights: Atlantic International University provides excellent distance education degree programs to students worldwide and is located in the beautiful island city of Honolulu, HI, in the United States. At this university, Ph.D. students in Biology can specialize their degree in any number of areas, such as molecular:
- biology,
- microbiology,
- and marine biology.
The curriculum also allows ambitious students to take their degrees even further through research opportunities in numerous areas of computer science. Each student’s approach to the program is personally stylized and unique. It gives them all of the education and resources necessary to complete in-depth research projects in pursuit of their degree.
Coursework Sample:
- Molecular Evolution
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
Campus Location: Honolulu, HI
Accreditation:
- Accrediting Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities
ASIC House
Acceptance Rate: 100% Retention Rate: 80% Graduation Rate: 19%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S DOCTOR OF BIOLOGY (PHD)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Molecular Biology?
Molecular Biology is the study of the nature and structure of the molecular building blocks of matter and life. This study emphasizes the interactions between the different cells in the body, including the natures of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.
This study of biosciences is an interaction of cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. The discovery of genetic structures has proven to be one of the most notable developments in molecular biology.
Molecular Biology has numerous subdisciplines namely:
- molecular genetics,
- comparative genetics,
- proteomics,
- structural genomics,
- gene therapy,
- pharmacogenomics,
- and functional genomics, to name a few.
All these subdisciplines deal with the study of genetics and other factors related to the building blocks of life.
What sort of accreditation should I look for in a school?
If you already have a chosen university or school, it is wise to make sure an accrediting agency has certified it. Accreditation provides a strengthened reputation for a specific educational institution.
After all, you must make sure that you do not want to waste your time and money only to get a degree that is not taken seriously by future potential employers.
Moreover, accredited schools and universities allow you to apply for financial assistance to support your studies. Each school has a financial assistance program to finance your studies.
While there are regional accrediting agencies that schools and universities receive recognition of, there are also program-specific accreditations to be considered upon enrolling in the doctorate program of molecular biology. However, it is not mandatory since the majority of these educational institutions have already received regional accreditations.
If you wish to strengthen your education with a full-packed accreditation from both regional and program-specific sectors, you must consider a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from an American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) accreditation.
What type of degree do I need to pursue research or educate others in Molecular Biology?
Individuals who are interested in pursuing graduate studies to become professors or scientific researchers can opt for a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology.
This degree program is designed to build a strong foundation in biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology through a set of coursework and extensive seminars and develop the student’s skills and capabilities in cutting-edge research achievements.
Its goal is to equip students to become successful professionals in research institutions, academia, biotechnology industries, the federal government, and pharmaceutical industries.
A Ph.D. program in Molecular Biology accepts individuals with degrees related to biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, and other relevant fields. Graduate-level online molecular biology degree programs usually require 12-24 months to complete, depending on the student’s commitment to their studies. Students interested in molecular biology have the opportunity to choose a specialization or elective course that is related to molecular biology.
Coursework under this doctorate molecular biology program includes:
- Biotechnology,
- Genomics,
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
- Conservation Genetics,
- Introduction to Biostatistics,
- Advanced Cell Biology,
- and Progress in Cell & Molecular Biology among the variety of coursework offered under this program.
What kind of career and salary can I expect with my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology?
Graduates with a doctorate in molecular biology program are qualified for a variety of professional career pathways in education, healthcare, and scientific institutions. They may also find employment opportunities in biomedical research and biotechnology research projects.
Molecular Biologists use scientific equipment to characterize, analyze, and study specimens or products. They maintain proper storage for samples, performing general laboratory processes to meet standards and qualifications. Also, they conduct research, and identify and test methods to improve content and technologies to create discoveries.
With your Ph.D. Mol Biol, there is certainly an advantage since most employers prefer candidates that have a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, bioengineering, genetics, and other related fields to the molecular biology study.
One of the duties and responsibilities of a molecular biologist is to be able to operate different laboratory equipment or machines such as spectrometers, electron and conventional microscopes, and X-ray equipment. They must be able to troubleshoot minor breakdowns in the laboratory since most of their work is usually performed inside clinical laboratories.
Molecular Biologists are required to keep themselves up-to-date with new findings and various techniques to be able to deliver effectively and coherently. As part of their duties, some professionals are expected to attend conferences or seminars as well as visit collaborative or networking opportunities.
The majority of these employers prefer molecular biologists who are interested in lifelong studies and learning. Moreover, they provide coaching, training, and mentoring programs to new or junior molecular biologists.
The median annual wage for a molecular biologist is $81,990. The lowest yearly salary is worth $46,270, while the highest annual salary is $136,630.
What schools offer a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology?
There are very few online doctoral degrees in molecular biology. It is incredibly rare to find this type of program available at a distance.
However, there is a multitude of on-campus programs, and, undisputedly, the three best degrees that students can attend physically are Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both of which are located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Stanford University in Stanford, California.
The extremely limited number of online learning formats in this area of study is offered by Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and Atlantic International University in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Are you amazed by the wonders of God’s creation? How did he ever come up with the millions of cells that make up every living organism on this planet? There are several reasons why a Ph.D. Mol Biol is worth it in the end, just as there are several reasons why everyone is unique despite the billions of DNA imprints in our bodies. Discover the beauty of every living cell in our body. Enroll in a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology degree program.
