The curriculum is designed for students to complete the Ph.D. degree in five to six years and is geared to train students
for successful careers in biomedical research. The number of courses required is fairly limited, thus providing ample time
and flexibility for pursuit and development of individualized research interests. There are no teaching assistant
requirements. Stipends for students are provided for laboratory research.
First year. The first year is devoted largely to course work, plus students rotate through three different
laboratories each year to learn about research areas and methods from different selected Molecular Biology Faculty. The
laboratory rotations also serve to familiarize students with laboratories and mentors that they may choose for their thesis
research. Each laboratory rotation is followed by a 15-minute research seminar presentation by the student to the entire
Program in the regular Program seminar series. At the end of the first year, the Program administers a general written
examination on all of the first-year course work. Students in the first year and all subsequent years also participate in
Program sponsored journal clubs, research seminars, mini-courses and the annual retreat (see Program Activities). After
successful completion of the first-year curriculum, students select a thesis mentor and begin their thesis research project.
Didactic courses:
- Biomedical Sciences Core Course (10 hours, Fall semester). This is a core course required for 1st year Ph.D. students
from all UCD programs, which covers the fundamentals of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and
physiology.
- Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology (4 hours, Spring semester).
- Electives (2-4 hours in Spring semester)
Second year. Although most of the didactic courses are completed in the first year, some additional course work is taken
in the second year to round out the curriculum.
Didactic courses:
- Ethics in Research (1 hour, Fall semester)
- Scientific Writing (2 hours, Spring semester)
- Electives (student/mentor choices)
The majority of time in the second year is spent in the laboratory developing a research thesis project. After completion
of the 2nd year, students take the qualifying examination to advance to the Ph.D. candidacy. This examination consists or a
written thesis proposal in the form of a research grant application and an oral defense.
Third-Fifth Years. The remaining time in the Program is devoted to completion of the thesis research project. The
thesis research should be completed within the next 2-3 years. Throughout the remainder of their studies, students are given
many opportunities to develop analytic and communication skills and to interact with colleagues and peers in the scientific
community at large. Students give frequent formal and informal presentations of their research at laboratory group meetings,
at the weekly Program seminar series, and at national/international scientific conferences. Students are expected, during
the course of their research, to write and publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
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