The Graduate Program in Cell and Developmental Biology provides scientific training for students whose career objectives are research/teaching positions in cell biology, developmental biology or anatomy. The program is designed to be flexible, providing training for students seeking scientific careers in academia, government or private research institutes. With these objectives in mind, the program of study is individually tailored for each student, permitting wide latitude in career objectives both before and after graduation. The coursework and apprenticeship under departmental faculty members in state-of-the-art facilities prepares the students, both intellectually and technically, for the further pursuit of their career in the biomedical sciences.
In the first two years of study the students will complete most, if not all of their coursework, which may focus upon the areas of cell biology, neurobiology, developmental biology or anatomical sciences. The student is free to select from a wide variety of course offerings in Cell and Developmental Biology, as well as other departments. There are a minimum number of credit hours of departmental courses required for graduation, but specific course requirements are varied to meet the needs and career objectives of the individual student. Students may select courses that prepare them for the Doctoral Written Exam at the end of the first year, familiarize them with one or more areas of research interests represented in the Department and provide them with the intellectual basis for the development and completion of their dissertation project.
During the first year, the students will conduct very short research projects as they do three rotations in three different laboratories. These experiences will aid the student in selecting a research topic for his/her dissertation project. At the end of the first year, students will select a faculty member to serve as their thesis advisor and begin work in the laboratory to develop a thesis project. Early in their third year, students will assemble a dissertation committee of faculty members, who serve as scientific advisors and are responsible for administering the Doctoral Oral Exam (early in the third year). The main emphasis in the latter years of study is on the completion and publication of original research. Upon completing their dissertation research the students take the Final Oral Exam (administered by the dissertation committee) and publicly present their research findings in a departmental seminar.
The Ph.D. usually requires 4 to 5 years to complete. An M.S. degree is not normally awarded by the Department, but may be made in special cases as a terminal degree.
Click for the Cell & Developmental Biology Student Guide
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