• Definition of Year 1:
  • Ph.D. students: year 1 begins the year the student enters GSBS
  • M.D./Ph.D. students: year 1 begins when the student enters the Ph.D. portion of their program, after completing USMLE Step 1.
• Declare concentration and select a mentor
• Students and mentors establish an advisory committee.
  ontent 1 Here

• Received approved degree plan from GSBS.
• Consensus is reached by the advisory committee that the student is ready to prepare their written portion of the qualifying examination.
• The student prepares and submits a one-page abstract and/or specific aims of the proposed topic to the advisory committee for approval
• The student notifies the Graduate Advisor and Student Affairs Advocate of the composition of the qualifying examination committee no later than 3 months before the examination.

The qualifying examination written component is submitted to the committee.

• The examination committee submits to the committee chair, within 2 weeks, a pass or fail/revision memo.
• If the student doesn’t receive more than one negative vote, this will constitute passing of the written component. The student will move forward with scheduling the oral component of the qualifying examination.
• If the student receives more than one negative vote, this will constitute a failure of the written component. The student may submit one revised written component, which is then voted as pass/fail. More than one negative vote will constitute failure of the written component and a failure of the qualifying examination.

Qualifying examination oral component is scheduled.

• The oral component is presented in a public seminar setting, followed by an oral exam with the committee.
• The oral exam must take place within 4 weeks of receiving a passing grade on the written exam.
• The oral exam must take place within an active term (between the start and end dates of a term) and during regular business hours.
• Only one committee member may be absent from the oral component. If the committee chair is absent, a new chair will be chosen.

• Procedure for Successful Qualifying Examination
  • If the qualifying examination is considered successful, the committee chair of the qualifying examination committee will send a completed Admission to Candidacy form to the GSBS office for consideration by the Graduate Council. The recommendation should be forwarded as soon as possible after all the above requirements have been met.
• Procedure for Unsuccessful Qualifying Examination
  • If the qualifying examination is not considered successful, the committee chair will notify the GSBS office in writing. Failure to complete/pass the qualifying examination within the specified time (by the end of the third year) will result in dismissal from the program, irrespective of the performance in other aspects of doctoral study.

All biomedical science fields recognize the need for high levels of integration of scientific knowledge to accelerate opportunities for basic and translational research. Toward that end, full-time research is preceded by a curriculum that introduces scientific facts and provides opportunities for the development of critical thinking, synthesis of information, development of factual knowledge, and the ability to read and comprehend original literature. These skills serve as a foundation for all concentrations/programs in GSBS.

Core Curriculum Courses

• GSBS 5471 - Core 1: Molecules
  • This course offers a broad coverage of biochemistry with an emphasis on the structure and function of macromolecules, biosynthesis of small molecule precursors of macromolecules, and the pathways of intermediary metabolism.
• GSBS 5372 - Core II: Cells
  • The structure/function relationships that underlie basic cellular processes, including translation, protein trafficking, cytoskeletal organization and motility, cell adhesion, and cell division.
• GSBS 5373 - Core III: Genes
  • Teaches essential scientific concepts underlying the field of molecular biology and molecular genetics.
• GSBS 5174 - Core IV: Biomedical Seminar Series
  • Students will attend and participate in seminars.
• GBSB 5275 - Core V: Introduction to Biomedical Research
  • Introduces the first-year graduate student to the fundamental principles and techniques in basic biomedical research.

Students who have a master’s degree in a biomedical or biological sciences discipline may request to opt out of the individual core courses: Core I, Core II, or Core III. Core IV and Core V may not be waived. A waiver request to the GSBS Dean must come from the GSBS Senior Associate Dean. When applicable, the request should include a course syllabus and grade received for each course that is considered equivalent to the course (s) for which a waiver is requested. The waiver request must be made prior to the first day of class. The request will be reviewed by the course director of the course requesting to be waived, and the recommendation will be evaluated by the Core Curriculum Coordination (CCC) Committee. The GSBS office will notify the student and graduate advisor prior to the census date of the term. While the waiver is pending, the student must audit the core course with the pending waiver request.

All students are required to maintain a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. If a student fails to maintain the required minimum GPA, they will be placed on academic probation. For more information, please refer to the GSBS catalog.

• Students may be placed on probation for not completing the core courses within the first term.
• Students may not drop a core course for academic reasons (reasonable exceptions will be made for illness, etc., at the discretion of the GSBS Dean).
• Students receiving a grade of C or below in Core I, Core II, or Core III will be required to repeat the course.
• Students receiving grades of C or below in two or more core courses will be at risk of dismissal.

• Students are required to complete two lab rotations. However, at least three rotations are recommended before selecting a mentor and concentration.
• The earliest students may select a mentor and concentration is the last day of the first Fall term. Additional lab rotations will occur during the following terms until a mentor and concentration are declared.
• Students must select a mentor and concentration by the end of the first summer term.
• Students must meet with their selected concentration’s Graduate Advisor before concentration and mentor declaration will be approved.
• While the program will assist students, it is not the final responsibility of the program to place a student with a mentor.

• GBCM 6320: Advanced Cell Biology
• GBCM 6333: Advanced Protein Biochemistry
• GBCM 5130: Research Presentation Skills
  • Enrollment is required every Spring term.
  • Minimum of 4 credit hours
  • Students must present a research presentation as a part of BCMB/CBB student seminars in the spring term.
  • Students must present a research poster during Student Research Week.
• GBCM 7101: Seminar
  • Enrollment is required every Fall and Spring term
  • Minimum of 7 credit hours
  • Students must attend at least 15 qualified seminars each term.
• GBCM 7000: Research
  • Enrollment is required every term until the student transitions to dissertation coursework.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• GBCM 8000: Dissertation
  • Enrollment is required from the starting term of dissertation coursework until graduation.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• Electives
  • 7-12 credit hours
  • To be determined by the mentor and advisory committee.

• The committee shall be composed of at least four graduate faculty members (although at least five is preferable)
  • At least three graduate faculty members from the BCMB concentration.
  • At least one graduate faculty member from outside the concentration, qualified faculty from other institutions, or qualified professionals who have or received formal GSBS membership.
• Student committee meetings are mandatory and will be required twice a year, without excuse. Scheduling is the responsibility of the student and mentor. The GSBS office and the graduate advisor will monitor the committee meetings. The student is required to provide a handout to the mentor and committee at least one week before the meeting that summarizes the goals of the project and details of progress made since the last meeting.
• Students must meet with the BCMB Graduate Advisor before declaring

  the BCMB concentration.

• Two of the three Fundamental Micro and Immunology courses.
  • GBTC 5212: Fundamentals of Bacteriology
  • GBTC 5213: Fundamentals of Virology/Parasitology
  • GBTC 5214: Fundamentals of Immunology
• Two upper-level Micro/Immunology courses
  • GIID 6324: The Molecular Biology of Pathogenic Bacteria
  • GIID 6325: Advances in Virology
  • GIID 6340: Mucosal Immunology
• GIID 7101: Seminar
  • Enrollment is required every Fall and Spring term
  • Minimum of 7 credit hours
  • Students must attend at least 15 qualified seminars each term.
• GIID 7000: Research
  • Enrollment is required every term until the student transitions to dissertation coursework.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• GIID 8000: Dissertation
  • Enrollment is required from the starting term of dissertation coursework until graduation.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• Electives
  • 7-12 credit hours
  • To be determined by the mentor and advisory committee.

• The committee shall be composed of at least four graduate faculty members (although at least five is preferable)
  • At least three graduate faculty members from the IID concentration.
  • At least one graduate faculty member from outside the concentration, qualified faculty from other institutions, or qualified professionals who have or received formal GSBS membership.
• Student committee meetings are mandatory and will be required twice a year, without excuse. Scheduling is the responsibility of the student and mentor. The GSBS office and the graduate advisor will monitor the committee meetings. The student is required to provide a handout to the mentor and committee at least one week before the meeting that summarizes the goals of the project and details of progress made since the last meeting.
• Committee meeting minutes will be detailed. Minutes will specifically note any problems and demands made by the committee and/or mentor, along with a timeline for addressing these issues. Minutes must be filed with both the GSBS office and the IID department. Problems with students or their progress are expected to be documented in detail in the committee meeting minutes. Problems that cannot be resolved by the student, mentor, and committee will be resolved by a special meeting between the student, mentor, committee, graduate advisor, and department chair.
• Students must meet with the IID Graduate Advisor before declaring the IID concentration.

• GMBP 5221: Experimental Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes
• GMBP 5321: Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes
• GMBP 7101: Seminar
  • Enrollment is required every Fall and Spring term
  • Minimum of 7 credit hours
• GMBP 7102: Readings
  • Enrollment is required every Fall and Spring term
  • Minimum of 7 credit hours
• GMBP 7000: Research
  • Enrollment is required every term until the student transitions to dissertation coursework.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• GMBP 8000: Dissertation
  • Enrollment is required from the starting term of dissertation coursework until graduation.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• Electives
  • 7-12 credit hours
  • To be determined by the mentor and advisory committee.

• The committee shall be composed of at least four graduate faculty members (although at least five is preferable)
  • At least three graduate faculty members from the MBP concentration.
  • At least one graduate faculty member from outside the concentration, qualified faculty from other institutions, or qualified professionals who have or received formal GSBS membership.
• Student committee meetings are mandatory and will be required twice a year, without excuse. Scheduling is the responsibility of the student and mentor. The GSBS office and the graduate advisor will monitor the committee meetings. The student is required to provide a handout to the mentor and committee at least one week before the meeting that summarizes the goals of the project and details of progress made since the last meeting.
• Committee meeting minutes will be detailed. Minutes will specifically note any problems and demands made by the committee and/or mentor along with a timeline for addressing these issues. Minutes must be filed with both the GSBS office and the MBP department. Problems with students or their progress are expected to be documented in detail in the committee meeting minutes. Problems that cannot be resolved by the student, mentor, and committee will be resolved by a special meeting between the student, mentor, committee, graduate advisor, and department chair.
• Students must meet with the GMBP Graduate Advisor before declaring the GMBP concentration.

• GTNP 5303: Principles of Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology
• GTNP 7101: Seminar
  • Enrollment is required every Fall and Spring semester except Year 2 Fall Semester and the semester in which they complete their defense.
  • Minimum of 7 credit hours
• GTNP 7102: Readings
  • Enrollment is required every Fall and Spring semester except Year 2 Fall Semester and the semester in which they complete their defense.
  • Minimum of 7 credit hours
• GTNP 7000: Research
  • Enrollment is required every term until the student transitions to dissertation coursework.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• GTNP 8000: Dissertation
  • Enrollment is required from the starting term of dissertation coursework until graduation.
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours
• Electives
  • 7-12 credit hours
  • To be determined by the mentor and advisory committee.

• The committee shall be composed of at least five graduate faculty members (although at least five is preferable. However, it is important to keep in mind that more members on your committee could cause logistical issues in terms of scheduling meetings.
  • At least three graduate faculty members from the TNP concentration.
  • At least two graduate faculty members with primary appointments outside the TNP concentration with one of them (or phrasing one of the two) need to be a graduate faculty member (primary appointment) from one of the other three concentrations (CBB, MBP, IID) is required. Graduate faculty members are defined as qualified faculty from other institutions, or qualified professionals who have or received formal GSBS membership. GSBS membership is required for any external graduate faculty members from outside the concentration before participating in student thesis committee. It is highly recommended to meet with graduate advisor before officially choosing your thesis committee members and sending the list of graduate faculty members to the GSBS office staff.
• Student committee meetings are mandatory and will be required twice a year, without excuse. Scheduling is the responsibility of the student and mentor. The GSBS office and the graduate advisor will monitor the committee meetings. The student is required to provide a handout to the mentor and committee at least one week before the meeting that summarizes the goals of the project and details of progress made since the last meeting.
• Committee meeting minutes will be detailed. Minutes will specifically note any problems and demands made by the committee and/or mentor, along with a timeline for addressing these issues. Minutes must be filed with both the GSBS office and the TNP department. Problems with students or their progress are expected to be documented in detail in the committee meeting minutes. Problems that cannot be resolved by the student, mentor, and committee will be resolved by a special meeting between the student, mentor, committee, graduate advisor, and department chair.
• Students must meet with the TNP Graduate Advisor before declaring the TNP concentration.