This is an interdisciplinary graduate program providing training leading to either the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D)  or Master of Science (MS) degrees in Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

The program draws its faculty from basic science departments in the SIU School of Medicine (Carbondale and Springfield campus) and the College of Science (Carbondale campus).

Faculty include members of the :
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Carbondale).
Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology (Springfiled).
Department of Microbiology (Carbondale).

The program is designed to offer advanced training in biochemistry, biophysics, bacteriology, genetics, immunology, microbial physiology, virology, mycology, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, and structural biology.

The participating departments have modern, well-equipped research laboratories and supporting facilities for P3 physical containment, electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and flow cytometry. The University library at Carbondale is ranked among the top 100 research libraries in the United States. It contains more than 2 million volumes and maintains an extensive collection of research journals in all areas of biological and molecular science. There is also an extensive biological science and medical library at Springfield.

Students with graduate degrees in molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry are in demand in several occupational areas. Many graduates are employed by pharmaceutical or biotechnology firms. Ph.D. graduates can expect to be employed by pharmaceutical, chemical, biochemical, or biotechnology firms or continue for advanced academic training as postdoctoral fellows. Many Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Ph.D. graduates are successful faculty members at colleges and universities throughout the United States.