The Interdisciplinary Curriculum
First Year
The Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program curriculum emphasizes research
experience and practical skills from the first day. The approach is flexible,
and accommodates students whose research interests are still evolving by
introducing them to a variety of fields through interdisciplinary courses and
laboratory experiences. For those students who have a clearly defined research
interest, the program offers the opportunity to move quickly into a
dissertation project and accelerate their study.
The first year includes three research rotations selected by students to meet
their research interests. These research rotations provide an opportunity to
experience individual laboratory environments, including the techniques being
used in the laboratory and the research questions being addressed. These
experiences also help students make an informed choice of a dissertation
mentor. A first year faculty mentor aids the selection of research rotations. A
web site also lists rotation projects available to students
here.
Foundations of Biomedical Science is the first course taken by students entering
the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Science Graduate Program. The course is
designed to convey knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling cell and
tissue function and to develop an understanding of the experimental evidence
supporting these concepts. The conceptual breadth of modern biomedical science
is covered through a longitudinally integrated presentation of material
principally drawn from disciplines such as biochemistry, cell biology,
molecular genetics and the emerging area of signal transduction. The
development of critical thinking skills is emphasized through an evaluation of
experimental evidence and reading of the primary literature. Contemporary
approaches to problem-solving in biology as well as principles underlying
modern methods of biomedical research are integrated through the analysis of
mechanisms underlying biological phenomena. Foundations of Biomedical Science
is followed by courses in statistics and scientific ethics and then
increasingly specialized coursework in the program the student has chosen.
For more information about courses, laboratory rotations and program milestones,
see Student Affairs + Campus.
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Transfer and Completion
At the end of the first year, the program administers a preliminary evaluation
of student performance. Following a successful preliminary evaluation, students
select a dissertation advisor and transfer into one of the seven
degree-granting programs. Students then complete the core courses of the
selected degree-granting program and prepare for the comprehensive examination.
Upon successful completion of the comprehensive exam, the student forms a
dissertation advisory committee, presents a dissertation proposal and completes
the dissertation. On average, students complete the PhD program in five and
half years.
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