Curriculum

During the first semester, students enrolled in the Division participate in the Core Curriculum, which offers an integrated approach to the study of biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, biological regulation, cell biology, and organismal biology appropriate for students with interests in any area of study. Coursework is supplemented by a rich schedule of seminars offered on wide-ranging topics. A substantial benefit of this approach is to prepare students for the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of biomedical science.

The standard first-year curriculum also includes completion of at least two laboratory rotations, each lasting approximately seven weeks. A student may select any member of the Division’s faculty as a preceptor for each research rotation. The topics of research rotations can be as similar or wide-ranging as the student wishes. The rotations provide students opportunities to experience different research questions, approaches, and experimental techniques. Overall, the design of the curriculum also fosters exposure to many of our basic-science faculty who participate in one or more of the components of the first-year curriculum. Advice is available to students who desire guidance in choosing faculty mentors with whom to conduct their research.

In order to foster flexibility and allow an informed choice of the most appropriate program for advanced study, a specific program and a dissertation research adviser are not selected until the end of rotations.

During the second half of the first semester and subsequent years of study, students immerse themselves in advanced didactic training organized by the faculty of individual programs and focus on developing a research project. A coordinated design of advanced, specialized coursework is another characteristic of the Division’s integrative approach to graduate education. Advanced courses include those with pan-program appeal, as well as a variety of more specialized courses. Curriculum Committees from all of the programs work together to ensure the existence of an appropriate range of advanced courses, which are scheduled in a manner to facilitate accessibility. Although the programs of the Division share a common administrative organization, each is distinct in terms of advanced coursework and other degree requirements. Specific information is located in the individual program descriptions.