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Department of Biological Sciences
Degree Programs:
Full-Time: M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chair:
Michael
P.
Sheetz, Ph.D
713 Fairchild
Tel:
212.854.4857
Fax:
212.865.8246
Co-Director of Graduate Studies:
Chloë
Bulinski,
Ph.D.
804A Fairchild
Tel:
212.854.5570
Co-Director of Graduate Studies:
Liang
Tong,
Ph.D.
701 Fairchild
Tel:
212.854.5203
Co-Director of Graduate Studies:
Jian
Yang,
Ph.D.
The Department of Biological
Sciences offers a program of advanced study in the areas of molecular and
cellular biology, neurobiology, physiology, immunology, genetics, structural
and computational biology, developmental biology and molecular biophysics. The
graduate program provides each student with a strong background in contemporary
biology and an in-depth knowledge of one or more of the above areas. During the
first year, all students take an intensive core course that provides a solid
background in structural biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular
biology. Course work is generally completed in the second year. Research in
laboratories of the department’s or affiliated faculty is integral to the
program. Students start research in the first year and, by the second year,
choose a mentor to help them complete their Ph.D. research.
Current research interests of the faculty span many areas of modern biology and
involve species from prokaryotes to humans. Some specific fields of interest
include the regulation of gene expression, mRNA processing, mechanisms of
signal transduction, oncogenes and tumor suppressors, the structure and
function of enzymes and multi-protein complexes, the genetics of invertebrate
development, the genetics and biogenesis of mitochondria, development of the
nervous system, neuronal differentiation and degeneration, ion channel
structure, function and regulation and mechanisms of transduction in the
olfactory system.
The Department of Biological Sciences is located in the modern Sherman Fairchild Center
for the Life Sciences. The building provides 50,000 square feet of laboratory
space for the department’s laboratories, as well as extensive shared instrument
facilities for biochemical analysis, recombinant DNA technology, cell biology,
and neurophysiology. These include instruments for phosphorimaging;
luminescence; high-performance chromatography; x-ray diffraction analysis; confocal,
two-photon, and fluorescence microscopy; microinjection; digital imaging;
fluorescence-activated cell sorting; and cell culture. The department maintains
an animal facility, including a special section for transgenic mice. A library,
designed for ready access to the collections, is housed in the same building.
It includes the latest equipment for database searching, an extensive microfilm
collection and audiovisual facilities.
Laboratories for Ph.D. research
For the past six years the
opportunities for Ph.D. student thesis research have included not only
laboratories in Biological Sciences and Chemistry but also laboratories in
various departments at Columbia’s College of Physicians
and Surgeons (Medical
School). This expansion has
more than doubled the number of faculty sponsors participating in the
department’s Ph.D. program. In the list below, training faculty are grouped
according to one primary field of research, but many could be placed in several
such categories. Associated laboratories at the College of Physicians
and Surgeons are indicated with an asterisk.
Departmental Programs
The Department of Biological Sciences maintains
research and teaching programs in molecular and cellular biology, structural
biology, neurobiology, and developmental biology. The laboratories involved
cooperate and collaborate in various combinations, and substantial overlap
exists among the groups responsible for the different programs. In this way
diversity is combined with coherent overall graduate training and with the
advantages of interaction among clusters of researchers with common interests
and related expertise. Considerable interaction also takes place with the other
basic science departments on Columbia’s
main campus and with those at the Health Sciences campus.
Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, and Molecular Genetics
Current research interests of the faculty
include the structure, function, and control of genes in eukaryotic cells
(yeast, nematodes, insects, and mammalian cells); molecular genetics of mitochondria;
processing of RNA; control of cell shape and movement; dynamics and functions
of microtubules during myogenic differentiation and cell cycle progression;
virus-host cell interactions; cell biology and ultrastructure of neurons;
growth control; the molecular biology of cancer; and signal transduction.
Neurobiology
The neurobiology group shares interests in the
cell biology and development of the nervous system. Its research covers a
variety of vertebrate and invertebrate systems. Current interests of the
faculty include genetics and developmental biology of nervous tissue; chemical
communication, receptors, and ion channels; behavioral neuroendocrinology;
sexual dimorphism; genesis of neuronal specificity and synaptic connections,
and cell biology and physiology of odor receptors.
Developmental Biology
Current research interests of the faculty
include gene expression in embryos, cultured cells and neoplasms; hormonal
regulation of gene expression; cell differentiation in nervous tissue and
muscle; the development of ion-channel properties in synaptogenesis; the
control of neuronal form and connectivity; the establishment and maintenance of
cell polarity; and selective cell death.
Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics
Current research interests of faculty engaged
in structural and computational biology include a variety of signal
transduction proteins, molecular chaperone proteins, several enzymes of
biological and medical importance, proteins involved in transmembrane transport,
and components of the bacterial secretion apparatus. The focus of the research
activities is on understanding the biological functions of these proteins in
terms of their atomic structures, their kinetic and thermodynamic properties,
and changes in conformation and folding as they function in a cellular
environment. Special emphasis is on the determination of protein structures by
X-ray crystallography, and changes in protein structures by atomic force
microscopy and other single molecule approaches. State-of-the-art X-ray
diffraction and high-speed computing facilities are available in the
department, and two major synchrotron X-ray sources are located within easy
driving distance.
Joint Training Program with the Department of Chemistry
The Departments of Chemistry and Biological
Sciences offer a joint training program, the Chemical and Molecular Basis of
Life Processes. The departments cooperate closely in administering programs of
courses and subsequent graduate training in the chemical aspects of molecular
biology, including biochemistry and biophysical chemistry. Dual sponsorship of
graduate research is possible under this program. Students interested in these
areas may apply to either department.
Joint Training in Biophysics
Faculty from three departments have coordinated
their efforts for recruiting students interested in entering or pursuing
studies in biophysics. The Department of Chemistry and the Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics have joined the Department of Biological
Sciences in this coordinated effort.
Other Facilities
Specialized facilities at the American Museum
of Natural History, Barnard
College, and the Columbia
University College of Physicians and Surgeons are available to students and
staff of the department.
Colloquia and Seminars
A departmental colloquium is held each Monday at noon throughout the academic year. All graduate
students are expected to attend regularly. Additional research seminars are
also presented frequently by visiting scholars.
Special Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit
1 official transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a
Statement of Academic Purpose and 3 letters of evaluation from academic sources. All
international students whose native language is not English or whose
undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official
language is not English, must submit scores of the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.
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DEGREE:
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Ph.D.
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Deadline for Fall Admission
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December 15
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Deadline for Spring Admission
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no spring admission
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Resume/CV
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yes
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Writing Sample
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no
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GRE General
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yes
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GRE Subject
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strongly recommended
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Miscellaneous
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see below
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Undergraduate training in one of the natural or physical sciences is required. It is also desirable that students have had at least a year of calculus, as well as courses in organic and physical chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry and cell biology. Limited deficiencies in this background may be made up while in graduate school.
Acceptance to the program is determined by a student’s academic background as well as consideration of prior research experience and GRE scores. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required, however, the GRE Subject Test in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or physics is strongly recommended. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is also required for international applicants whose native language is not English. However, international applicants who receive their Bachelor’s degree at an American university are exempt from taking the TOEFL.
Tuition, fees and a generous stipend are paid for all graduate students accepted to the program.
These fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of the training of graduate students. Thus, graduate fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.
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