The Graduate Curriculum

The First Year:

We make every effort to adapt programs to the interests of individual students. Throughout the first year new students are engaged in course work. To prepare for higher level graduate courses, the first year sequence may include courses in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Eukaryote, Microbial Genetics, Cell Membranes and Organelles and Ethics. Students are welcome to take other graduate courses given on the campus of Health Sciences or Morningside Heights Campus. Courses are rigorous and students are expected to maintain a B average.

In addition to course work, students attend a series of seminars sponsored by the department. The departmental seminar series featuring outside speakers occurs every week. There is no better way to learn about the most exciting experimental results in neurobiology, cell or developmental biology. Beside the departmental seminar series, the entire graduate student body meets once a week under the direction of a faculty member to examine a particular topic in depth. In the last few years the topics have included: the cell cycle, mechanisms of protein targeting, second messenger systems, historically significant papers in biology and scientific writing. We try to develop each student's ability to speak and write clearly.

The final component of the first year is a series of three rotations through different laboratories to familiarize the student with the research of particular groups. The laboratories for rotations are chosen by the student, based on student interests and the availability of space in the desired lab. These 10-week rotations are designed to give the student an in-depth experience in the techniques and intellectual approaches utilized by different faculty members. These rotations provide an outstanding opportunity to sample a variety of laboratory environments without commitment on the part of the student or faculty member regarding research beyond the period of the laboratory rotation.

Requirements for the Masters of Science Degree:

Only candidates for the Ph.D. are admitted. The department does not have a terminal Master's degree program. The MA degree requires successful completion of two residence units (one years) and thirty credits. Laboratory rotations and the qualifying examination must be completed.

Requirements for the Masters of Philosophy Degree: Students obtain an M. Phil degree following the completion of the MA degree plus four additional residence units and continued participation in departmental seminars and research. By this time a student should also have chosen a research problem and should have some preliminary results that will form the basis of a thesis proposal.

The qualifying examination serves as a focus for an oral examination whose purpose is to determine whether or not the student is qualified to pursue research. Successful completion of this step entitles the student to the M. Phil. degree. This examination consists of two parts: 1) a written proposal of intended thesis research, and 2) a scholarly essay reviewing a research topic unrelated to the proposed thesis research. During the examination, students present one 15 - 20 minute lecture and field questions on each topic. This qualifying examination must be completed on or before the end of the fifth semester of a student's tenure in the graduate program.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree:

After successful completion of the qualifying examination, the student's research efforts will focus on completion of thesis research. A thesis committee, selected by the student and advisor, will meet yearly with the student to evaluate progress and guide the research. After completion of thesis research, the student must prepare and defend a dissertation. Students should count on 4 - 6 years to complete all of the requirements.