The First Year Course work. Courses are selected primarily from MCB department offerings. In addition, students are free to enroll in courses offered by the Department of Chemistry or Harvard Medical School. During the first year, students spend about half of their time carrying out experimental research in the laboratories of faculty members. Pending the approval of the graduate committee, students usually rotate in the laboratories of their choice.
Some students carry out an additional rotation during the summer preceding their first year.
During the laboratory rotations, students are able to interact with individual faculty members and to explore possible subjects for future thesis research. There is no foreign language requirement for the PhD degree. After the First Year Thesis research. Acceptance for Candidacy. MCB students are evaluated in the spring of their second year by a faculty committee that meets with the student to discuss his or her thesis proposal.