Program Overview

Introduction to the Masters in Quantitative and Systems Biology (QSB) Program

The Masters in Quantitative and Systems Biology (QSB) program is designed to train students in quantitative and systems biology approaches and techniques. This one-year program aims to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in top Ph.D. and M.D. programs or directly enter research careers in industry or academia.

Program Overview

The QSB program is ideal for students who want to improve their skills and credentials for Ph.D. applications or enter biomedical research at an advanced level. The program provides intensive research and course-based training, enabling students to enter industry or graduate programs at a higher level.

Program Details

• The QSB program can help students get into a Ph.D. program, with 73% of QSB graduates who applied to Ph.D. programs being admitted to institutions such as Northwestern University, U of Washington, UC Irvine, Washington University St. Louis, McGill University - Canada, and Humboldt University - Germany.
• 63% of QSB students who applied for transfer to Northwestern’s IBiS Ph.D. program have been admitted.
• The program is designed to address the tremendous demand for quantitative and computational skills to tackle “Big Data” and employ systems approaches in biomedical research and personalized medicine.
• QSB graduates are eligible for 36 months of US employment authorization.
• An optional 12-month no-tuition internship program is available.

Research Areas

The Brickner laboratory, featured in the program, studies how cells control the position of genes within the nucleus and how gene positioning affects gene expression. They have identified DNA "zip codes" in the promoters of genes that control changes in nuclear positioning, transcription, and chromatin structure.

Program Mission

The mission of the QSB program is to train students in quantitative and systems biology approaches and techniques that will enable them to succeed in top Ph.D. and M.D. programs or directly enter research careers in industry or academia. The program aims to equip students with the skills necessary to tackle the challenges of “Big Data” and systems approaches in biomedical research and personalized medicine.