Master's in Integrative Cell Biology

Graduates of Loyola's MS in Integrative Cell Biology will gain the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to pursue a PhD, apply to medical school, or pursue research in academia, industry, and/or biotech.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Develop a fundamental understanding of cellular functions in various disciplines such as cancer, neuroscience, and immunology

SKILLS: 

• Gain critical-thinking skills to help you solve biological problems
• Understand molecular and cellular technologies through your lab work

PROFESSIONAL VALUES:

• Incorporate and apply Ignatian values into your work
• Strengthen your presentation skills
• Professionally interact with peers

Students complete one year of coursework, followed by a second year focusing on research and developing their thesis. In addition to their first-year coursework, students will register for journal club and a seminar series, and select up to three laboratories to complete their rotations.  Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits during this two year MS program.

First-year coursework: 

SEMESTER 1 

• Bioethics in Biomedical Science
• Cell Biology
• Methods in Biomedical Science
• Mollecular and Cellular Biochemistry
• Rotations in up to three labs

SEMESTER 2 

• Biostatistics
• Histology
• An elective course, such as Immunology, Neuroscience, Signal Transduction, or Molecular Oncology, depending on your thesis focus

Through the three rotations in the first and second semesters, students will meet with the GPD and a potential mentor to select a laboratory where they will conduct research. Students will receive their degree upon successful defense of their thesis.

Course Catalog

• Integrative Cell Biology MS Course Catalog

Ready to apply? This is a good place to start.

DEADLINES 

We accept applications for the MS in Integrative Cell Biology on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged; we begin evaluating applications in early December. The deadline for all application materials is June 15.  Please note the only documents that cannot be uploaded with an application are transcripts and offical test scores.  Please email those documents directly to: gradapp@luc.edu 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

1. COMPLETED APPLICATION

• Apply online (preferred option) or mail application to:
  
  Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management
  Loyola University Chicago
  820 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200
  Chicago, IL 60611
  
  

2. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor's degree to apply. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work are required for admission.
  
  

3. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.
  
  

4. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• Your statement of purpose should be a brief, one page statement that explains your interest in this program.
  
  

5. INTERVIEW

• An virtual interview is required for admission. International applicants can interview by phone or video conference.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's degree and are required to submit the above documents as well as:

• TOEFL or IELTS scores
• A Declaration and Certification of Finances Form
• Evaluations of international transcripts sent by any member organization of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) 

Please visit our International Student Requirements page for more details!

Questions? Contact Student Program Recruiter Patrick Hulseman.

Request more information about our graduate programs

The Biomedical Graduate Programs and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.

• Cost
• Financial Aid
• Payment

Faculty mentor students and guide them through their research.

Jordan R. Beach, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell and Molecular Physiology
Case Western Reserve University
PhD, Cell Physiology, 2011
University of Mount Union
BS, Biology, 2004

John Callaci, PhD
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Loyola University of Chicago, PhD
Loyola University of Chicago, MS

Edward M. Campbell, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
BS - Life Sciences/Bioengineering, 1998
University of Illinois at Chicago
PhD - Microbiology and Immunology, 2004

Mashkoor Choudry, PhD
Professor, Surgery, Microbiology and Immunology
Aligarh Muslim University
PhD, Microbiology, 1988
Aligarh Muslim University
MSc, Zoology, 1983

Mitchell Denning, PhD
Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Stritch School of Medicine
Professor, Cancer Biology, Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
University of Arizona
BS, Biochemistry, 1986
University of Wisconsin/Madison
PhD, Human Cancer Biology, 1991

Irida Kastrati, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology
University of Illinois Chicago
BA, Chemistry, 2003
University of Illinois Chicago
PhD, Cancer, Womens Health, Toxicology, Estrogen Carcinogenesis, Breast Cancer, Drug Design

Peter Kekenes-Huskey, PhD
Associate Professor, Cell and Molecular Physiology
California Institute of Technology
PhD, Chemistry, 2009
University of North Carolina Asheville
BS Chemistry, 2001

Ivana Kuo, PhD
Associate Professor, Cell and Molecular Physiology
Australian National University
PhD, Neuroscience, 2010
University of Western Australia
BSc, Molecular Medicine, 2004

Phong T. Le, PhD
Graduate Program Director, Integrative Cell Biology
Professor, Deparment of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Illinois
BS, Microbiology, 1980
The Ohio State University
MS, Immunology, 1982
PhD, Immunology, 1985

Michael Nishimura, PhD
Professor, Surgery
University of Maryland Baltimore County 
PhD, Biological Sciences, 1989
University of Maryland Baltimore County
MS, Biological Sciences, 1984

Patrick Oakes, PhD
Associate Professor, Cell and Molecular Physiology
Brown University
MS, Physics, 2005
Brown University
PhD, Physics 2009

Clodia Osipo, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology
Loyola University Chicago
PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 2002

Toni R. Pak, PhD
James R. DePauw Professor and Chair, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology
University of Colorado at Boulder
BA, Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, 1995
MA, Education (Science), 1997
PhD, Neuroscience, 2002

Karie Scrogin, PhD
Professor, Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience
Oregon Health Sciences University
PhD, Behavioral Neuroscience, 1991
Oregon Health Sciences University
MS, Behavioral Neuroscience

Susan Uprichard, PhD
Professor Medicine and Microbiology/Immunology
Harvard University
PhD, Virology, 1996

Ali Vaziri-Gohar, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
MS, Biochemistry, 2006
New Mexico State University 
PhD, Molecular Biology, 2015

Derek Wainright, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology
Loyola University Chicago
PhD Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, 2009
Loyola University Chicago
MS, Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, 2004

Qun Sophia Zang, PhD
Associate Professor, Surgery
University of Science and Technology of China
BS, Molecular Biology, 1990
The City University of New York
PhD, Biology/Biological Sciences, 1996

The program prepares students for a career in research laboratories in the Biomedical industry, Pharmaceutical industry or as primary or secondary educators. Students graduating with an MS are competent and competitive if they pursue a PhD or MD.