During your first academic year, you perform two or three research rotations in the laboratories of Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences faculty members. This allows you to explore different scientific disciplines before selecting your thesis lab.

Coursework

All PhD candidates complete a core curriculum and elective courses to fulfill the degree. The common core curriculum serves the stated goals of the program, to provide rigorous, deep training in discipline, to emphasize foundational quantitative methodology, to promote effective communication of results, and to contextualize expertise within the full spectrum of biomedicine in society. We also meet the needs of our diverse disciplines through a flexible menu of elective courses that build a personalized curriculum. The flexibility in elective courses meets the growing trend of inter- and trans-disciplinary science and encourages merging quantitative and qualitative content to rigorously train in chosen fields. Mentors will work with all first-year students to recommend a curriculum that aligns not only with their interests, but with their previous academic record, experience, and expectations of the discipline. Maintaining flexible course requirements also allows the faculty to adjust course offerings to meet the needs of their changing field. For information about specific course schedules, instructors, and syllabi, see the PhD course catalog.

Tutoring

You can request free tutoring if you find you need academic support in a particular subject. Eligible tutors are students who have performed well in classes.

Using your Kerberos ID, you can log in to our intranet to see the list of available student tutors.

Research Rotation Requirements

First-year students conduct two to three research rotations to gain experience working in labs of their interest. The goal of these rotations is to help students choose a thesis lab at the end of the first year providing time for both the student and the faculty to evaluate the potential working relationship. After completing these rotations and by the end of the first year, the student will select their research lab and thesis advisor, who is the principal investigator of that lab. Prompt placement of the student in a lab is critical to the student’s ability to move on a timely path toward graduation.

Academic Timeline

Orientation and courses begin in August.

Pre-candidacy: Begin Open Program, Complete Rotations, Take Qualifying Exam

All students entering our open program are provided a graduate mentor to guide them through their first year of training and select appropriate coursework and rotations. Students select a thesis advisor and begin working on their thesis project in the lab by July 1 of their first year. After you have completed your required coursework and passed the qualifying exam, you are eligible to for an MPhil. Please notify us of your qualifying exam date by completing the qualifying exam notification found on the student community.

Post-Candidacy: Conduct Full-Time Research and Schedule Frequent Committee Meetings

In consultation with your thesis advisor, you assemble a thesis committee. Graduate mentors can provide guidance to this process. You are expected to hold your first thesis committee meeting within 9 months of passing the qualifying exam, and 6-12 months thereafter. After you have passed your qualifying exam, you participate in full-time research. It is normal for experimental-discovery timelines to vary widely. If your research is further along, you may be determining which results are suitable for journal publication and what additional scientific questions should be pursued for inclusion in your thesis. Regular committee meetings are essential to ensure progress. Students also attend programmatic Works in Progress Series, where you learn about research performed by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in other labs.

Year Five: Refine Publication Goals and Prepare for Thesis Defense

We recommend that you hold a thesis committee meeting at the beginning of your fifth year to plan the timing of final experiments, refine your publication goals, and plan for your thesis defense. At the final committee meeting, you receive written authorization from the members of your thesis committee to start writing your thesis. Your thesis defense should be scheduled at this stage.