Year 1:

Courses:

First semester - MCDB 5230 Gene Expression; MCDB 5776 Scientific Ethics; MCDB 6000, Introduction to Lab Methods

Second semester - MCDB 5210, Cell Structure and Function; MCDB 6000, Introduction to Lab Methods

Teaching: Serve both semesters as a teaching assistant

Rotations: Three ten week rotations in faculty laboratories

Exams: Cumulative Preliminary Exams

Decision: Choose thesis laboratory in May, begin thesis research

Year 2:

Courses:

First semester - MCDB 5220, Molecular Genetics (or electives)

Second semester - MCDB 5250, Topics in Developmental Biology

Other elective courses if desired

Thesis research

First presentation at MMB

Exam: Comprehensive Exam on proposal for thesis project

Years 3 and 4:

Thesis research

Presentation at MMB (annual)

Meet with committee (annual)

Elective courses if needed

Year 5 (or 6 when necessary):

Thesis research

Presentation at MMB (annual)

Meet with committee (annual)

Six month meeting with committee to prepare to write dissertation

Submit & Defend Dissertation

Year 7 (when necessary):

First semester - Student develops detailed plan to complete degree with in one year, and meets with committee for ratification of plan. Ratified plans are sent to COGSA for approval, and the extension petition is forwarded to the Graduate School.