Forming a Committee and the Qualifying Exam
Updated 9/1/2025
Updated 9/1/2025
Updated 8/1/2025
Overview
PhD students (mentees) are engaged in an intense period of personal and professional growth. During this period students develop into independent scientists with significant expertise in forming and addressing scientific questions. This requires focus, determination, time on task, significant technical, analytical, and personal support, and the ability to work with mentors and other team members to advance research goals.
Updated 8/1/2025
Early in the first semester, students will make arrangements with MCB faculty trainers to begin rotations in laboratory research. All students are required to pass three academic year rotations in three different laboratories of Program faculty, regardless of previous research experience or degree program.
The three academic year rotation periods are:
Rotation 1: 9/22 - 11/21 (Rotation report on 11/21)
Rotation 2: 12/1 - 12/19 {suggested break} 1/5 - 2/13 (Rotation report on 2/13)
Updated 8/1/2025
The teaching requirement in the MCB Graduate Program is fulfilled by participating as a teaching assistant for one semester during the second year.
Updated 8/1/2025
Students are required to attend and participate in the MCB Graduate Program weekly invitational seminar series and monthly MCB Data Club.
Weekly MCB Graduate Program seminars are presented by visiting scientists invited by MCB faculty trainers and/or MCBGP students on Wednesdays noon-1 pm during the academic year. Students are expected to attend the seminar every week as a part of their training outside of the area of their thesis research. Students can also meet with invited speakers over lunch after the seminar.
Updated 8/1/2025
For entering graduate students, the general course of study emphasizes the following:
Establishing competence in disciplines central to molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, systems biology, genetics, genomics, proteomics and biochemistry
Gaining understanding in the quantitative approaches necessary to address complex problems in modern biology
Encouraging diversification of training
Maintaining flexibility within the framework of formal study
Updated 8/1/2025
The Directors of Graduate Study will serve in the role of Faculty Advisors for students’ first year. This group will advise the student on academic matters and review the student's progress at the beginning of each of the first four semesters in the program. Topics covered in advising sessions include selection of coursework, research rotations, the Teaching Assistantship, participation in other activities in the program, and preparation for the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination.
Updated 8/1/2025