In the second year, students must pass a qualifying examination. The exam will test your knowledge of the background of your field (reading topics), your ability to pose a research question and hypothesis and propose a plan to conduct your research. The process consists of two components: the pre-prospectus and the prospectus. 

After successful passage of the qualifying examination and required coursework, students submit a dissertation prospectus and are admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Thesis Advisor

The thesis advisor is the primary faculty member students interact with regarding dissertation research. Students join the lab in their second year and conduct their research with guidance from their advisor. The Director of Graduate Students must approve the selection of the lab.

The Thesis Advisory Committee

In consultation with their advisor, students must select 3 additional faculty to comprise the Thesis Advisory Committee. This committee will provide guidance to the student throughout the course of dissertation research. At least two of these committee members must hold a primary or secondary appointment in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology.

The Pre-prospectus meeting 

The objective of this meeting is for the student to assemble their committee for the first time, introduce the committee to the proposed thesis research, and solicit the committee’s feedback. The key outcome of this meeting is to align with the committee on the overarching research objectives and aims, and approve the scheduling of the prospectus meeting. 

The Prospectus 

The Prospectus meeting is a 2.5-3 hour meeting where the student presents their proposed dissertation topic. 

The Committee evaluates the student’s knowledge and performance to decide the outcome of the exam.