REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Courses: Ideally, incoming students will have completed courses in general biology, cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and calculus. Deficiencies in any of these areas would normally be made up in the first year. A core curriculum of graduate courses in the following areas is given on a 2 year cycle: nucleic acid structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, transcriptional/transnational/post-transnational regulation of gene expression, structural mechanisms and energetics of protein-nucleic acid interactions, protein structure and folding, protein trafficking in cells, molecular genetics, the cycle, and molecular, biochemical, and cellular basis of cancer and other human diseases.  Additional graduate course electives are also available. Within this general framework, individual programs of study tailored to fit the student's background and interests will be designed in consultation with the graduate committee and the student's adviser.

Qualifying examinations: The criteria for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. will be performance in courses, aptitude for research, a written qualifying examination at the end of the third semester, and preparation and oral defense of an original research proposal by the middle of the fourth semester.

Teaching: Normally, four semesters of teaching are required.