The overall aim of the graduate program is to guide the student through the process of acquiring the research skills and the intellectual approach needed to become an independent scientist. With this in mind, students enter the laboratory as soon as they start the program, while also fulfilling the course requirements. They rotate through four laboratories of their own choosing carrying out short projects to acquaint them with research techniques and to assist them in their later choice of a thesis advisor. Each rotation is equivalent to a minimum of four weeks full-time effort in the laboratory.
Students attend seminars given by members of the department and visiting speakers.
They choose a mentor and research project and begin to carry out their thesis research. They choose a thesis supervisory committee and will normally at this time present their thesis proposal for approval by the committee. Students are encouraged to write research papers and to attend and present papers at national or regional scientific meetings. They continue to attend and present papers at departmental seminars and to participate in intellectual activities within the department. The above chronology is that of most students, but the department will adapt the program if special circumstances warrant.