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Introduction
The Ph.D. Program in Biological Sciences can be described in terms of 4 components: course work, qualifying examinations, teaching, and research. For further treatment of this topic consult the Graduate Student Handbook
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Course Work
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The Core Course in cell and molecular biology (G6001 - G6002 - G6002). Two semesters of this intensive course (in six to seven half-semester modules) cover genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, structural biochemistry, neurobiology, immunology, and computational biology.
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Pre-research Seminars (G9301): Faculty describe and discuss their current research.
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Ethics: discussions on the conduct of science. Starting in 2010-2011, Research Ethics is offered in the Fall semester: BIOETHICS K4450 Research Ethics
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Physical Chemistry is not required. Students must take Statistics (three semesters of college-level math) if it was not taken previously. Students entering in year 2007 and prior who have not had Physical Chemistry (one semester either Chemistry BC3252 or Chemistry C3079) and 3 semesters of college-level math, are required to make up those undergraduate courses.
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Attendance at the weekly Departmental colloquium (outside speakers) is required. Seminars are usually held Mondays and Wednesdays at noon in Room 700 Fairchild.
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Two approved graduate seminar courses. No more than one of the two elective courses may have a grade of "B-" and the average must be "B" or higher. For students entering in 2009 or prior, three graduate courses are required, two are required for those entering with Masters degrees. For a list of elective courses go to pre-approved elective courses.
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Qualifying Exams
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Qualifying Exam Part I: Successful completion of the Core Course sequence.(G6001, G6002, G6003).
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Qualifying Exam Part II: a written research proposal describing an intended thesis project (~10 double-spaced pages) followed by an oral defense before a 2-person faculty committee. This exam may take place during the Spring semester of the second year. It must be completed by the end of the Fall semester of the third year. Qualifying Exam Part II Form
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Teaching
Experience in teaching is deemed an important and essential part of Ph.D. training. Two semesters are required for most students. Assignments include leading a recitation section and supervising a laboratory section. Extra credit is given for more demanding assignments. Students are given a short workshop in teaching technique at the start of this training. More information on teaching can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook
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Research
Research constitutes the single most important component of the training program. Laboratory rotations begin in the first semester of the first year. Two or three rotations are strongly encouraged, but not required. A rotation period constitutes either an entire semester (i.e., Fall or Spring Semester) or the Summer term of the first academic year (i.e., mid-May to September). Thus, by the start of the second year, students will have settled into laboratories for their thesis research.
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Student Advisory Committees
Starting in the second year (spring semester) or the fall semester of the third year, each student meets with an advisory committee consisting of their research sponsor plus two other faculty. This committee stays with the student until the completion of the program, the defense of the thesis.
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Time to Degree
First Year
Fall
- Core I class - Biol G6001 - G6002
- Pre-research seminar - Biol G9301
- Rotation 1
- Ethics - Biethics K445
- 1st Residence Unit
Spring
- Core II class - Biol G6003 (with G6001 & G6002 completes Qualifying Exam 1)
- Rotation 2
- Elective (1 of 2)
- 2nd Residence Unit
Summer
- Statistics or Calculus if needed
- Rotation 3 (if needed) or Research in permanent lab
Second Year
Fall
- Elective (2 of 2)
- Teaching (1 of 2)
- Research
- Ethics must be completed in the second year - Biethics K4450
- 3rd Residence Unit
Spring
- Elective (if needed)
- Teaching (2 of 2, must be completed by the end of the third year)
- Research
- 4th Residence Unit
- Qualifying Exam 2 - link to form
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Apply for MA degree - link
to application
Students
must complete the Masters Degree requirements by the end of the
Second Year.
Summer
Third Year
Fall
- Complete Electives (if needed)
- Research
- 5th Residence Unit
Spring
- Complete Electives (if needed)
- Research
- 6th and last Residence Unit
Summer
Fourth Year
Fall, Spring
- Research
- Student Seminars (Fridays 5 pm, Room 700 Fairchild)
- Extended Residence Unit
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Annual Committee Meeting - link to form
Summer
Fifth Year & beyond
Fall, Spring
- Research
- Extended Residence Unit
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Committee Meeting every 6 months - link to form
Summer
Planning for Dissertation Defense
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Apply for Dissertation Defense - link
to application
- Distribute Dissertation to Committee Members
- Thesis Defense
- Deposit Thesis
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Departmental Retreat
Every other year, the entire department spends a weekend in the mountains discussing research projects. The past two Mini-Symposium Retreats have taken place at Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center .
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