All first year graduate students enter into the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. The first year is spent within one of the eight scientific homes, or Tracks.  

• At least 3 lab rotations
• First year coursework in accordance with graduate track requirements (typically 5 graded courses)

In the spring, students will select their dissertation advisor and the program of choice. 

In year 2, students officially enter the MCDB Ph.D. program. In addition to completing the course requirements, students prepare for and take a qualifying exam and begin dissertation research. 

Coursework

• MCDB 9400: grants writing course (required and graded and fulfills the five course minimum requirement for MCDB) 
• Research-in-Progress (RIP) course

• Begin teaching fellow requirement (2 semesters) 
• Conduct thesis research 
• Enroll in MCDB’s research-in-progress (RIP) course 
• Schedule and complete annual committee meeting no later than Feb.1 
  • Can be held at the end of the fall semester 
• Potentially submit primary research article 

• Conduct thesis research 
• Enroll in MCDB’s research-in-progress (RIP) course 
• Publish primary and review articles 
• Schedule and complete annual committee meeting 
  • no later than April 1 for 4th and 5th years 
  • no later than March 1 for 6th years and beyond 
• Defend thesis, pending approval of thesis committee 
• RCR Course requirement (4th year students only)