Admissions

Admissions to the Molecular Biology program offers advanced study leading to the PhD degree and is provided by the Allied Programs in Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Cell Biology and Genetics, and Molecular Biology. The program is intended to prepare students for a career in basic research and teaching in cell or developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology or related disciplines. Students with a strong background in these areas are urged to apply.

The Graduate Record Examination is required. Although the programs do not require the advanced test in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or cell and molecular biology, it is strongly encouraged and will be considered positively when applications are reviewed. Applicants from abroad are required to take the TOEFL examination.

Joint Curriculum

The Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Cell Biology and Genetics, and the Molecular Biology Graduate programs offer a joint curriculum in biochemistry, structural, cellular, molecular, and developmental biology. Students entering any of the three programs will be required to take the core curriculum listed below, participate in three laboratory rotations during the course of the first year, and complete the Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Examination (ACE) in their second year. These requirements are outlined below. Program affiliation will be determined by the choice of thesis laboratory, usually by the end of the first year.

Course of Study

In the first year students are expected to complete a required core curriculum consisting of the following courses:

1. Molecular Genetics
2. Biochemistry and Structural Biology
3. Cell Biology
4. Gene Structure and Function
5. Logic and Critical Analysis
6. Graduate Research Seminar

Protein-protein interactions between the t subunit of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme and the replication fork helicase, DnaB, defines the leading-strand polymerase. (Marians Laboratory)

Before graduation, students must complete two quarters of elective courses: Nucleic Acids, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Special Topics in Advanced Genetics, Methods in Biophysics, or Developmental Biology. (Electives can be selected from the other programs as well).

Students are required to complete the core curriculum during the first year, and are advised to spread out the elective course requirements during the second and third years.

Students in their 2nd through 4th year are also required to take semester-long, in depth Focus Groups. Focus Groups currently include Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics, Nucleic Acid Transactions & Genomic Integrity, Cell Structure and Function, Molecular and Cell Biology of Viruses and Micro-organisms, Tissue Biology and Development, and Cancer Biology. These groups will have a deep appreciation for the history of each field and will be in the format of a student-driven journal club. A detailed syllabus will be provided for each focus group prior to each semester. Students in their second through forth year will be required to choose a first and second choice from a menu of six focus groups, and will be placed in groups of 10-15. Each group will meet every other week and discuss two papers per session for approximately 10 sessions per semester. For students beyond their forth year, this course will be optional.

Under some special circumstances, the Curriculum Committee may exempt a student from elective courses if the Committee determines that an equivalent course has been taken at other undergraduate or graduate institutions. If a student wants to obtain a course exemption, one of the first year advisors must be notified and a written petition must be submitted to the Curriculum Committee

The official transcript reports four grade levels; i.e., Honors (A), High Pass (B), Low Pass (C), and Fail (F). Students are expected to perform at a level corresponding High Pass or B average in all core curriculum.

First-Year Review

At the end of the first year, a review of the student's progress will be assessed to identify areas of strength and weakness, and to determine if the student is in good standing.

Laboratory Rotations

Students rotate through three laboratories during the first year. Such rotations familiarize students with ongoing research in the program and provide a mechanism for selection of the thesis sponsor. Following each rotation, a written report is submitted by the student for approval by the first year advisors.

Admission to Doctoral Candidacy

The Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Examination (ACE) is administered in two sections: a written examination and an oral examination. For the written exam the student prepares a written research proposal on a topic selected by the student and approved by the ACE committee. The written proposal is reviewed by the committee and returned to the student with a written critique. The oral exam tests the student's ability to respond to the comments in the critique, as well as the student's general knowledge. Students must also submit a three- to four-page description of their thesis project, including aims and methods, which will be reviewed by the Special Committee approximately three months later. All students are expected to take the Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Examination in the spring of their second year.

Special Committee

The special committee consists of the thesis faculty sponsor (also known as the major sponsor) and two minor faculty sponsors. This committee is responsible for guiding the student's thesis research and for evaluating the student's progress. Completion of the PhD degree requires defense of an original research thesis.

Joint Program Retreat

Students have numerous opportunities to meet with the faculty, including faculty talks by Research Focus Group leaders at the beginning of the first year and a joint retreat held at a resort outside the New York City area, during which faculty and students present and discuss their work.

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