Graduate Program Curriculum

YEAR 1 — Rotations and core coursework

  • Rotations. Complete three rotations. Dates are set by OBGE; log each one in T3. You and your mentor must each submit the Rotation Evaluation Form in T3 within 2 weeks of finishing.
  • Courses. UPGEN 778 / CMB 710 modules (6–9 this year), MGM 701, MGM 790S, MGM 793S.
  •  RCR. BIOTRAIN 750 at orientation (fall); BIOTRAIN 751 (spring).
  • Registration. Meet the DGS and program coordinator before fall registration, and again before spring. Verify CTN appears on your schedule every semester — including summer, which you must register for manually.
  • Recruitment. Host and support recruits during February recruitment weekends.
  • Advisor. Choose a thesis advisor after your rotations. You must be affiliated with a lab by the end of July. 

YEAR 2 — Finish coursework, take the prelim

  • Courses. UPGEN 778 / CMB 710 (3–6 modules), BIOTRAIN 720 grant writing (fall), MGM 790S, MGM 793S, electives (minimum 5 credit hours). You need 24 graded credits by the end of this year, with a B– or better in required courses.
  • RCR. One 60-minute DOSI-ASIST online module.
  • Committee. Select it by December. Four examiners plus your advisor, who attends as an observer; at least three examiners hold primary or secondary MGM appointments. The DGS appoints the chair — primary MGM faculty, not your advisor. 
  • Paperwork. Email your committee composition to the program coordinator 2 months out. The Committee Approval Form must be approved at least 30 days before the exam — no exceptions. 
  • Prelim runway. Meet your chair 6 weeks before the exam; chair approves your summary and Aims 5 weeks before; the NIH NRSA-style written proposal goes to the committee and T3 2 weeks before.  
  • Prelim. Taken between spring of Year 2 and the end of fall of Year 3. 

YEAR 3 — Candidacy and committee meeting

  • Deadline. The preliminary exam must be complete by the end of the fifth semester. A granted retake must happen 3–5 months later and no later than the end of the sixth semester.
  • Courses. MGM 790S continues; register for CTN every semester. One DOSI-ASIST module.
  • Finances. You move from “non-comp” to faculty/staff payroll — confirm with your departmental business manager.
  • First committee meeting. Within twelve months of the prelim, then at least annually. One week ahead, upload a 1–3 page progress report and an updated CV to T3; present for ~30 minutes. 

YEAR 4 — Public seminar and forward planning

  • MGM 790S. Final required year — not required after Year 4, though you are encouraged to keep attending. In the spring you give a public seminar on a completed or nearly completed study that is ready for, or already under, review. 
  • RCR. BIOTRAIN 754 (spring).
  • Committee. Annual meeting. This is the right room in which to discuss what comes next.
  • Career. Begin contacting potential postdoctoral mentors or searching for other positions. Aim to have the next position lined up 6–9 months before you defend. 
  • Publication. Submit your first-author manuscript no later than the start of Year 5. 

YEAR 5 — Defending or extending to year 6

  • RCR. Two 2-hour RCR Forums (Years 5+).
  • Gate. One first-author, peer-reviewed paper must be accepted or in press before the committee can let you schedule the defense. Review articles and preprints don't count.
  • Waiver. In extraordinary circumstances, apply to the DGS for a publication waiver one month before your committee meeting. An ad hoc faculty panel reviews it; DGS approval does not guarantee committee approval.
  • Approvals. Final committee meeting by the start of Year 5. Final exam committee approved by the Graduate School 2 months out. Pre-defense checklist, signed, to the program coordinator the semester before.
  • Degree forms. “Intention to Receive Degree” in February (May), June (September), or October (December) — then email the program coordinator to confirm you filed it.
  • Scheduling. Notify the program office 1 month ahead (2 months if your PI is in another department). Draft to the committee via T3 3 weeks ahead. 2 weeks ahead: advisor initiates the T3 milestone, confirm your title, upload to T3 and ProQuest.
  • Defense. Public seminar of about 40–50 minutes, then a closed oral exam of two to three hours. Revisions are due within 30 days or the semester deadline, whichever is sooner.
  • Credits. 30 total, at least 24 graded. 

EVERY YEAR

  • Register for CTN every semester, summer included.
  • Vacation must be requested and confirmed with your advisor in advance.
  • Travel awards one per fiscal year (July 1–June 30); you must be in good standing and not on academic probation.
  • Check in informally with the DGS and program coordinator at least once a year.