MCDB提供硕士学位，以满足对MCDB重点的硕士水平毕业生的公认需求，特别是为学生在生物技术行业的研究和/或管理职位做好准备。MCDB提供了两个MA计划：通过论文的硕士（计划1），强调独立研究培训；通过考试的MA（计划2），强调课程工作和更广泛的学术培训。学生将选择要遵循的计划，并期望所有的硕士生都将被全日制注册，并且每个季度至少注册12个单元。通常，计划2轨道上的学生可以在认真计划的情况下在一年内完成学位。
MCDB offers an intensive graduate program awarding Doctoral and Masters degrees. Our emphasis is on individual research. More than 30 faculty members offer expertise in microbiology and immunology, plant biology, biochemistry and biomaterials, neuroscience, genetics and genomics, cell biology, biomedical sciences, developmental and stem cell biology, and systems and quantitative biology. Ph.D. students do three lab rotations before selecting a thesis lab. A rigorous academic curriculum includes classes that provide a broad foundation in biology using current research papers. The following years allow individualized training. You select among journal clubs and advanced courses in MCDB or sister departments to customize your education. You attend research seminars and retreats, with opportunities to teach, present your work, and practice grant writing.