Required courses and a sample of elective courses of interest to biophysics students follow. The Qualifying Examination is taken before the midpoint of the student's third year, before the candidate's dissertation is begun or very soon thereafter, and may not be delayed without express permission of the student's graduate advisor. Its purpose is to determine whether or not the candidate is properly prepared to carry out independent research leading to the completion of a doctoral dissertation. It is not to be regarded merely as a test of the student's knowledge of a particular field of interest, though such knowledge must be demonstrated. Seminar Program Speakers in the biophysics seminar program have focused on molecular and cellular structure, and interactions between molecules.
Students actively participate in the selection of speakers.
In the course of the year each student presents at least one journal article outside of his or her immediate study and a discussion of current work. These seminars are open to faculty and other interested colleagues. This activity serves two purposes, both broadening the interests of students and giving them the opportunity for oral presentations. Twice monthly students invite a member of the faculty to speak informally, followed by dinner. In this way, students can be assured of meeting every faculty member associated with the group and learn about his or her research in a substantive way.