All students in the biophysics program must register to take this course when it is offered either in their first or second year. All incoming biophysics graduate students are required to take the Harvard University Radiation Safety Course before entering into any type of lab work at Harvard. Students who have already completed the Harvard course will not be required to repeat it. All students entering a thesis lab not located at HMS must report to the Radiation Safety Office at that institution for additional information on training. Teaching requirement Students do not assist in teaching during their first year of study.
Students assist with the teaching of one course during their second year of study.
Advising The program chair meets with each student at least two times during his or her first year to monitor progress. The purpose of the qualifying examination is to ensure that the student is adequately prepared to embark on thesis research. The exam is normally given at the end of the fourth term of residence before the chair and two examiners knowledgeable in the field of the research proposal. Reexamination will be permitted. As a rule, students will not be permitted to enter the third year of graduate study unless the qualifying examination has been passed.