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GRADUATE PROGRAM IN MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE

Selecting a Thesis Advisor and Laboratory

After a student has finished rotations in 3 different labs (PATH551), he/she can officially choose a Thesis Advisor. Additional lab rotations may sometimes be taken if the first 3 rotations have not lead to a choice of Thesis Advisor. More than three rotations must be approved by the Program Director. Choosing a Thesis Advisor involves mutual agreement between the student and the faculty member. The Program Director must be notified before a final agreement is formalized to ensure that the proposed Thesis Advisor is aware of his/her financial and educational responsibilities.

Choosing a thesis advisor is a process of mutual evaluation that usually proceeds smoothly, but that is difficult to describe. At the end of a laboratory rotation, the faculty member and graduate student should discuss the potential for establishing a successful association between the student and the lab. Several factors are taken into consideration, including current or future space availability, funding options, specific research projects available, and overall group dynamics. Often no explicit offer or refusal is volunteered by the faculty member. It is the responsibility of each graduate student to inquire about working in any lab that he/she is enthusiastic about. Students will be discussing these matters with the Program Director as the first-year advisor. The Program Director can help obtain information, give advice, or act as an intermediary when necessary.

After choosing a Thesis Advisor and before taking the General Exam (GE), a typical course load for each quarter after passing the GE would be:
  • PATH 600 (pre-general research): Take up to 9 credits to bring the total to 9. Students are given credit for their research work through this course.
  • PATH 501 (proseminar): For students who have not already taken 3 graded electives. Students need to accumulate at least 18 graded credits before taking the General Exam. In addition to satisfying the minimum requirements, the student and the Supervisory Committee should be identifying courses which would be useful.

Graduate Student Retreats

There are two sessions each year. At the end of summer, the senior students present their research. At the end of winter, the junior students present.

As soon as a thesis project is formulated, a Supervisory Committee should be established. The Supervisory Committee must be established before the end of the second year.

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