In addition to learning about us, you can apply to graduate school, view our courses , or meet our faculty . In 1968, the Committee on Development was formed to fill the need for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding developmental processes by bringing together faculty with common interests from a wide range of Departments. Thirty out of more than 100 faculty in the basic sciences of the Division of Biological Sciences belong to the Committee on Developmental Biology and their research includes nearly every level of biological organization, from bacteria, plants, worms and flies to mice. In addition, students can choose to work with faculty in allied fields, such as yeast genetics or cell physiology , after they have completed their initial program of courses and their qualifying examination. This provides students with a wide range of opportunities to explore unique approaches to developmental problems.
Many opportunities exist for broad interaction within the biomedical community on campus.
During the first year, each student selects an appropriate set of graduate courses, completes a series of laboratory research rotations, and attends presentations of faculty describing their research programs. In addition to courses in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, immunology and neurobiology, the Committee offers a specific sequence of courses in developmental genetics of model systems, of vertebrates and of evolutionary mechanisms that provides the unique character to the developmental biology program at the University. Before beginning their second year, students complete Part I of their qualifying examination. This examination covers the material of the core courses taken during the first year. During the second year students usually complete their course work and choose a research advisor and laboratory for Ph.D. research.