Depending upon funding, graduate students take 4 course units (CUs) per semester during their first year in the program. Students funded by Educational Fellowships, Research Fellowships and/or Training Grants will take four courses in both the fall and spring semesters. If funded by Teaching Assistantships, students take three courses in both semesters.
A typical student program is as follows:
First Year (Educational Fellowship)
FALL
- Meet with Advising/Assessment Committee to discuss Fall course registration and lab rotation selection. Meeting will occur during New Student Orientation (August 29 and August 30, 2012).
- Take Bioethics Training during New Student Orientation.
- Fulfill four course requirements plus one lab rotation for a total of 4 CUs. Lab rotation will run for 8 weeks, from October 15, 2012 through December 7, 2012. Meet with Advising/Assessment Committee in December to review academic progress and to discuss Spring 2013 course selection and lab rotation selections.
SPRING
- Fulfill last three required courses plus one or two lab rotations for a total of 4 CUs as determined by the Advising/Assessment Committee. The second lab rotation will run from January 7, 2013 through March 8, 2013. The final lab rotation will run from March 18 to May 10, 2013. Student may postpone the final lab rotation until third year of study with approval by the Advising/Assessment Committee.
- Meet with Advising/Assessment Committee in May for review of academic performance to date.
SUMMER
- Start research work in chosen lab.
Second Year (Teaching Assistantship)
FALL
- Attend Teaching Assistantship Training. Students are required to attend TA training sessions that will be held during the third week of August. Students must plan to be on campus no later than August 20, 2013.
Take Bioethics seminar during TA Training Sessions. - Enroll in Independent Study or any additional courses as recommended by the Advising/Assessment Committee for a total of 3 CUs.
- Fulfill one semester of teaching requirement.
- Complete third lab rotation if not done in first year.
- Meet with Advising/Assessment Committee in December for student assessment, including grades, lab rotation evaluations, and teaching performance.
- After a satisfactory assessment, the student will then select members for their candidacy exam/thesis committee.
SPRING
- Enroll in Independent Study or any additional courses as recommended by the Advising/Assessment Committee for a total of 3 CUs.
- Meet with Advising/Assessment Committee in preparation for candidacy exam. Student will also meet members of the Candidacy Exam Committee as needed for detailed discussions on thesis topic and research proposal.
- Fulfill second semester of teaching requirement.
- Third lab rotation must be completed by the end of this semester if not done in first year or fall semester of second year.
SUMMER
- Take candidacy exam during first week of June. Exam consists of a written document and oral presentation outlining thesis proposal.
- If student passes exam, s/he is on dissertation status with completion of all requirements, including courses, lab rotations, teaching, bioethics training, and approval of thesis proposal.
- If the exam is not passed, the student can request a re-examination with decision being determined by thesis committee.
- If request is granted, student must re-take the exam prior to the start of the upcoming Academic Year (by the end of August).
Third Year and Beyond (Research Fellowship/Teaching Assistantships)
- Student is now on Dissertation status after meeting all program requirements, 7 required courses, teaching, lab rotations, bioethics training, and candidacy examination
- Meeting(s) with thesis committee at least once a year.
- Students can take one course each semester while on dissertation if agreed by thesis advisor.
- Final degree requirements include oral public defense of thesis and written dissertation. Student must receive approval by thesis committee in order to schedule the defense and prepare for graduation.