Interdisciplinary Programs

The Division of Biochemistry within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has a strong research group whose research interests. Graduate students in MCD Biology and Biochemistry are encouraged to participate in activities of both departments (courses, lab rotations, seminars, and occasionally a thesis lab) in order to broaden their research training and take advantage of multifaceted approaches to studying modern biology.

MCD Biology also has a formal training program with the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Division of Biochemistry, called Integrated Training for Biotechnology Leadership. This program combines interdisciplinary lecture and laboratory coursework, laboratory rotations and industry internships, cross-disciplinary thesis research, and opportunities for building leadership perspective in an effort to educate students to the benefits of interdisciplinary and industry/university cooperation and to shape them as leaders for the next generation of biotechnology researchers.

MCD Biology students may also pursue their thesis research at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics as part of receiving a graduate certificate in Behavioral Genetics. Information about this program is available from the Training Program Director, Institute for Behavioral Genetics, Campus Box 447, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0447.

The Neuroscience Certificate program involves the Departments of Psychology, Kinesiology, EBIO and MCDB, as well as the Institute for Behavioral Genetics. Students in this certificate program are expected to carry out their thesis work in the appropriate MCDB laboratories. Students are expected to complete coursework that can include Neuroscience Methods Laboratory, Neuroanatomy, Neurochemistry, Neurophysiology, Behavioral Neurosciences, or Molecular Neurosciences. Exact course requirements are determined by the student in consultation with the program’s steering committee. Students are also expected to be involved in a Neuroscience journal club and attend the regular Neuro-science Colloquia.

The Graduate Certificate Program in Astobiology is a cooperative effort between Geological Sciences