Individual programs are designed to meet each student's needs and interests while providing a strong background. This information will be evaluated by faculty from the respective subject areas who are designated by the Director. They will recommend whether the student should take a graduate level course at Brown, or be deemed proficient in the area without additional course work. During the first semester, all new students attend Bio 201, where Program faculty acquaint the student with important developments in their fields and research being carried out in their laboratories. The primary purpose of the Faculty Presentation is to enable students to make informed choices about an advisor and a research area.
Students enroll in the Faculty Presentation for one unit of credit.
Students without prior research experience are expected to carry out projects in two different laboratories on a rotation basis, beginning in Semester II, to become familiar with different topics and techniques. Once the student has selected a laboratory and research advisor, the student prepares for the preliminary examination for admission to candidacy for a doctorate. The thesis advisory committee will consist of the research advisor and three other members of the faculty who are asked to serve after being selected by the student and the advisor. The thesis committee continues to guide the student's research and, with the addition of an external examiner, will serve as the student's thesis examination committee. After completion of the preliminary examination, the student meets with this committee at least once each year to review progress.