The remaining three rotations can be in any field. In addition to these core courses, students must complete four advanced courses of which at least two must be seminars. The minimum residence requirement is three years. In addition to laboratory skills, the Biochemistry Program places a strong emphasis on training students to speak and write effectively. Teaching is an important part of this training in scientific communication.
Graduate students serve as teaching assistants for two semesters as a part of the training program.
At the end of the first year, students are asked to defend or refute two research propositions in an oral examination. One proposition will be assigned in an area of research outside the student's thesis work, and one will be an original proposition put forth by the student. The original proposition should relate to a specific research problem rather than to a concept. Students are given four weeks to research the topics and then present an oral argument to their committee. At the end of the second year, students must pass a comprehensive examination.