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About Our Program║Admission
Requirements║Curriculum║How to Apply║Frequently Asked Questions
After You
Are Accepted to the Program║Tuition & Fees║Student Comments
One-year Masters Program
| We are pleased to announce the success of our students:
As of April 24, 2008, there have been 16 students admitted to
Medical School, 4 admitted to Dental School, and 2 admitted to PhD
Programs all for the fall of 2008. Please join us in congratulating
the continued success of these students of this one of a kind
program! |
About Our Program
Our One-Year Masters program in Cell and Molecular Biology targets graduates who
plan to attend postgraduate professional schools (primarily Medical School,
Dental School, Veterinary School, and Optometry School, but also Business
School, Law School, and students who plan to apply to Ph.D. programs). The
program will also benefit students who want to enhance their educational
experience in preparation for a career path in the Biotechnology Industry. This
Master of Science degree is a 1-year non-thesis degree in which students take 30
credit hours during 2 semesters. The curriculum provides students with a
specialized academic and experiential background essential for professional
school admission.
Our distinctive program emphasizes student development in four areas
(coursework, experiential learning, presentation skills, and personal growth)
and allows students to build an academic foundation that is conducive to gaining
entrance into professional schools. Our coursework emphasizes a solid foundation
in cell and molecular biology while introducing students to more clinically
relevant topics such as human anatomy, histology, embryology, biochemistry,
physiology, and disease. The program provides opportunities for experiential
learning in programs we have established with local hospitals. For those
students not interested in medicine as their career goal, we have individualized
experiential learning programs to meet each student’s area of interest. Students
develop presentation skills by way of developing seminars on topics selected by
each student and also by observing and critiquing invited seminar speakers.
Our co-directors work with each student's unique strengths and weaknesses in
order to assist them in meeting their career goals.
Key components of our program’s success are our Co-Directors, Dr. Garic Grisbaum
and Dr. Carol Burdsal. Dr. Garic Grisbaum, M.D., works closely with students in
preparing them for their on-site rotations at Ochsner Hospital and in developing
their disease-oriented lecture series for the Seminar class. He brings a unique
combination of knowledge, insight, and perspective to those applying to medical
schools and works tirelessly to help each student realize his or her career
path. Dr. Grisbaum teaches CELL 649- Anatomy, as well as CELL 786/787- Seminars,
and CELL 799/800- Service Learning/Research. Dr. Carol Burdsal, Ph. D., a
respected teacher and researcher, trained at top national research institutions,
including Duke University and the University of California at San Francisco,
before joining the CMB faculty in 1995. Dr. Burdsal joined the Developmental
Biology section of the department and established research programs that focused
on cell-cell communication in embryonic development and in cancer biology. As
co-director of the Masters program she oversees students who have chosen a
research track and ensures that each student gains the most from their
experience as a laboratory investigator in preparation for a future career in
the biomedical sciences. Dr. Burdsal also teaches two courses offered to Masters
students, CELL 701- Cell Biology and CELL 671- The Molecular Biology of Cancer.
Tuition for the One-Year Masters program in the Department of Cell and Molecular
Biology is offered at the discounted rate of $9,750 per semester for the
2008-2009 academic year (regular Tulane tuition is $17,550 per semester for the
2007-2008 academic year). Additional required fees charged each semester are not discounted, and
for the 2007-2008 academic year include the
academic support services fee ($300), student health service fee ($245), Reily
recreation center fee ($120) and student activity fee ($120).
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| Correspondence and Information:
Marnie Mercado
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
2000 Percival Stern Hall
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 865-5618
FAX (504) 865-6785 |
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Admission Requirements
For admission to our program, it is preferred that candidates have completed the requirements
for a baccalaureate degree in any discipline that includes course work in
Chemistry, Biology, and/or Cell Biology. It is also preferred that students will
have met the minimum academic requirements for their chosen professional school.
If not, additional course work may be required to make up those deficiencies
outside of this program. Students from a broad range of academic backgrounds
have been admitted to the program in the past, and are encouraged to apply. MCAT,
GMAT, LSAT, DAT, ORT, or GRE scores are required.
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Curriculum
Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, with a cumulative GPA of a
3.0 on a 4.0 scale, in order to receive his or her MS degree. Prior to
registration, each student will meet with the Directors of the program to review
their transcripts. Any deficiencies in the core sciences will be identified at
that time and a course schedule will be designed to address each student’s
individual needs.
All students are required to take the following courses, which total 12 credit
hours:
| FALL |
SPRING |
| CELL 786 Seminars in CMB (3 credits)a |
CELL 787 Seminars in CMB (3 credits)a |
| CELL 799 Research in CMB (3 credits)a |
CELL 800 Research in CMB (3 credits)a |
The remaining 18 credits will consist of lecture courses such as the electives
listed below.
600 - Biomedical Ethics (3)
601 - Cellular Biochemistry (3)
608 - Advanced Developmental and Cell Biology II (3)
611 - Cells and Tissues (4)
613 - Embryology (4)
616 - Developmental Biology (3)
621 - CellularPhysiology (3)
622 - Microbiology (3)
631 - Cellular Neuroscience (3)
632 - Systems Neuroscience (3)
634 - Neurobiology of Disease (3)
635 - Developmental Neurobiology (3)
636 - Topics in Neurophysiology (3)
637 - Molecular Neurobiology (3)
644 - Advanced Molecular Biology (3)
649 - Gross Anatomy (4)
655 - Synaptic Organization of the Brain (3)
663 - Cellular Neurophysiology (3)
666 - Special Topics in Cell & Molecular Biology (1-3)
671 - Molecular Biology of Cancer (3)
678 - Developmental Genetics (3)
701 - Cell Biology (3)
702 - Cell Biology Laboratory (1)
711 - Molecular Biology (3)
712 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (1)
723 - Microbiology Laboratory (1)
734 - Neuroanatomy Laboratory (1) |
Students may be permitted to take electives from other departments with the
approval of the program's Co-Directors.
aResearch: This component of the curriculum involves on site work experiences
coupled with formal classroom presentations summarizing the work. The
Experiential component will be tailored to the student's career path and can
range
from traditional laboratory research to
Service Learning programs in medical or professional settings. The major goals of this course are to 1) provide a
learning component that will solidify the student's resolve in pursuing a
particular career path, 2) provide a forum for information exchange among fellow
students about different career paths, and 3) gain experience in speaking
formally about work in this career path.
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How To Apply
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications using Tulane's
web-based application site at
https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=tulane-se. Paper
applications can be obtained from the Graduate School website at
http://www.sse.tulane.edu/pdfs/sse_graduate_application.pdf. Paper
applications should be submitted directly to the Cell and Molecular Biology
Department, c/o Marnie Mercado, at the address below. All supporting
documents should be submitted directly to the Cell and Molecular Biology
Department, for both paper and online applications. (Note: You can
self-report your MCAT scores in the Statement of Purpose section of the online
application. Use 0's for GRE scores if you have not taken the GRE.)
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as January 1st, the year seeking
admission, with the application deadline for our program being June 15th.
Students are accepted to the program on a rolling basis beginning June 1st. Due to
possible conflicts with wait listed students for professional schools,
applications received after the June 15th deadline will be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis.
A complete application to our One-Year Masters program must include the
following:
1. Completed application, including statement of purpose.
2. 3 Letters of recommendation (2 science and 1 non-science acceptable, or
students may use their committee letters for professional schools or individual
letters for professional schools).
3. A photocopy of your official scores in one of the following: GRE (verbal and
quantitative), DAT, MCAT, LSAT, or OAT.
4. Transcripts from all previous academic institutions.
The above information must be sent to the following address:
Marnie Mercado
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
One-Year Masters Program
6400 Freret Street, Room 2000
Tulane University
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
Once we have received all the information above, your application will be complete
and will be viewed by our admissions committee.
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Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the tuition for the program?
A: Tuition for the One-Year Masters program is offered at the discounted rate of
$9,750 per semester for the 2008-2009 academic year. Please see Tulane’s regular
tuition and fees at
http://www.sse.tulane.edu/pages/grad_curr_newstudent.php.
Q: Where can I get financial aid information?
A: Tulane does not provide financial aid in the form of teaching or research
assistantships or tuition waivers for the One-Year Masters program, although
students may be able to obtain loans or grants (see the Financial Aid
website, at http://www.tulane.edu/~finaid/.)
Q: Do I have to register for classes during preregistration periods?
A: No. At the beginning of each semester, you will meet individually with
the Directors of the program to go over their transcripts and come up with a
personalized course plan. Seats are reserved for Masters students so there is no
need to register prior to your arrival. You will be contacted in August by the Cell and
Molecular Biology Department with information regarding this meeting and other
aspects of orientation.
Q: What are the average scores for the program?
A:
Our Fall 2007
entering class average undergraduate GPA(s) & test score(s) were:
Medical
Track: Average MCAT 29 with an average GPA of 3.4
Research
Track: Average GRE 1246 (verbal + quantitative) with an average GPA of 3.1
Dental
Track: Average DAT 20 with an average GPA of 3.2
Q: Are there any scholarships or teaching positions with this program?
A: There are no scholarships or teaching assistantships available for this program.
Q: Do you have an orientation for the new masters students?
A: Yes, an orientation is held in August each year for our new students.
After orientation, there is a meet-and-greet with departmental faculty and Ph.D.
students. You will be contacted by the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
about the orientation.
Q: Do I have to be a Biology major to apply to the program?
A: No, all students are encouraged to apply to our program. See
Admission Requirements.
Q: If I have not completed my prerequisites for my chosen professional school,
can I still apply to the program?
A: Yes, however, such students will be required to complete the necessary
prerequisites on their own time, outside of our program.
Q: Where do I report my MCAT scores in the online application?
A: You can self-report your MCAT scores in the Statement of
Purpose section of the online application. As instructed, use 0's for GRE
scores if you have not taken the GRE.
Q: Is there a deadline for accepting my spot in the program?
A: Yes. When you receive our offer of admission, you will be required to respond by
the deadline given. If we do not receive your response by
the specified date, you will forfeit your spot in the program. This is
necessary due
to the high number of qualified applications we receive and the limited number
of spots available in the program.
Q: How many students do you admit to the program?
A: Between 25 and 35 students.
Q: How do I apply to the program?
A: See How to Apply.
Q: What is the deadline for applications?
A: The deadline for the applications is June 15th. However, due to the number of
wait lists, in regard to professional schools, students may apply after the
deadline. Each late application will be viewed by our admissions committee on a
case-by-case basis.
Q: What do I need to include in my application?
A: See How to Apply.
Q: Should I apply to professional school while enrolled in the program?
A: Yes, it is strongly encouraged that you do apply while in the program.
Q: If I have reviewed the website and still have more questions,
who do I contact?
A: Please contact Marnie
Mercado, Executive Secretary. You can reach Marnie at (504) 865-5618, or
e-mail her at mmercado@tulane.edu.
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After you are accepted to the program
When the admissions committee has filled the entire class, the Department of
Cell and Molecular Biology will contact you with the following information in
early August via e-mail:
1. Date and time for orientations
2. Date and time each student will meet with the Directors of the program for
scheduling of classes
3. Start date for classes
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Special Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the One-Year Masters program in the Department of Cell and Molecular
Biology is offered at the discounted rate of $9,750 per semester for the
2008-2009 academic year (regular Tulane tuition is $17,550 per semester for the
2007-2008 academic year). Additional required fees charged each semester are not discounted, and
for the 2007-2008 academic year include the
academic support services fee ($300), student health service fee ($245), Reily
recreation center fee ($120) and student activity fee ($120).
Please see Tulane’s regular tuition and fees at
http://www.sse.tulane.edu/pages/grad_curr_newstudent.php.
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Student comments about the program
"My experience with the program is evidence for its effectiveness: I
got placed high enough on a waiting list that I am certain to attend medical
school in the fall. . . . The program was exactly what my medical school
application file needed. Having had poor grades at the beginning of my
college career and then a sharp increase in GPA during my last year, I needed to
prove that my newly found achievement was not fleeting. Taking graduate
science classes and performing well proved that, and therefore granted me
admission to my top choice school. . . . The program offers both
research opportunities and hospital experience opportunities that put students
in an advantageous position for admissions. The Master's program was
exactly what I needed and I know there are a lot of students in similar
situations as me. I'm sure that it will serve them as well as it's served
me." Gene, 2005 graduate, currently enrolled at the University of
Washington Medical School
"You don't know how much I talked about our seminar/Ochsner program in my
medical school interviews. Students need to be reminded that just because
it is a requirement for school, doesn't mean that we can't brag about the
awesome skills we are learning in the hospital to medical school interviewers.
They ate it up. They loved that we talked about ethics in medicine and
that we focused on patient psycho-social skills in the hospital. That was
always the homerun in interviews. It really gives us all great experience.
As Dr. Scott at USA told us, they know we are all going to be good medical
students; they are looking for those who will make good doctors."
Elizabeth, 2005 graduate, currently enrolled at Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center School of Medicine at New Orleans
"I feel this masters program made a significant difference on my grad school
applications. For me, the CMB one year masters program served as a good
supplement to my undergraduate engineering education and provided me with the
opportunity to get into the grad schools of my choice." Philip,
2005 graduate, enrolled in doctoral program at Cal Tech
"Going into a one-year program, I was concerned about how everything would
come together in such a short amount of time. The support of the faculty
and staff were the component that allowed a smooth transition into the program
and navigation through. . . . I do feel that each person is dealt with on their
own merit by faculty and staff. Some of the students need more support
than others and those that do, receive it. It is nice to be a part of an
environment where you know that there are several places you can go to get help
for any particular issue, be it academic, personal, or otherwise and be listened
to." Kimberly, 2005 graduate, currently enrolled in the Forensic
Science Program at George Washington University
"Another pro was the sense of community in the graduate program. . . . I
think it was really cool that students and teacher talk after the end of each
class, rather than hurrying off like most people. This sense of community
was something I have not previously experienced during my education, and was
something that I do not think was present in the other masters programs."
Derek, 2005 graduate, currently enrolled at Tulane Medical School
"I also personally appreciated the advice and insight you [Dr. Grisbaum] gave us
about med school and the medical field in general. . . . Talking about the
process of getting into medical school, residency, and medicine as a career had
a real calming effect for me. During those classes, instead of feeling out
of the loop, I felt like I was a part of something, a process that will
eventually lead me to medicine." Jamie, Spring 2005 graduate, currently
enrolled at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
at Shreveport
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