Year one in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD Program provides didactic classes to assure that you have the scientific background in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and organ systems biology. These classes are supplemented with reading classes that introduce you to scientific literature and stress applying the literature to scientific problems and disease. A series of three laboratory rotations familiarize you with the labs on campus and help to guide your choices for labs and future collaborations.
Year two marks the beginning of the experimental phase of the Program’s curriculum. After selecting a research track and advisor, you will generate preliminary data and write a proposal focused on planned research. This will be in the format of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) predoctoral grant to give you experience in planning research and writing a grant. Following revision, you will submit your grant to the NIH for review. At the end of year two, a candidacy exam requires you to use your expertise to write a review of the literature using a multidisciplinary approach to a disease process.
Years three through five focus on completing your dissertation research.