General Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

It is a requirement of the Division that students satisfactorily complete a minimum of 21 credit hours of didactic coursework. The Core Curriculum and Ethics modules are to be supplemented by advanced didactic coursework compatible with the student’s Graduate Program of choice. The advanced courses are usually completed by the end of the second year of study and must be completed by the end of the third year. In addition, satisfactory completion of two laboratory-rotations projects is a Division requirement. Graduate Programs specify participation in Journal Clubs and seminars.

Each student must pass a qualifying examination conducted by the relevant Graduate Program. Satisfactory completion of the required coursework, the research rotations and a qualifying examination advances the student to candidacy for the degree. Completion of the dissertation research, its successful defense at an oral examination, and submission to UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences of an approved electronic dissertation complete the requirements for the degree.