Papers are graded separately from the course grade, on a pass, rewrite, or no-pass basis. A constructive critique is provided by the instructor to give students the opportunity to improve their skills in critical analysis and experimental design. All three papers must be passed before presenting the oral qualifying exam and advancing to candidacy. The examination will include preparation of a written research proposition and its oral defense, and should offer the Doctoral Committee the opportunity to judge the student's ability to think creatively and formulate significant ideas for research. The oral examination will cover the student's proposition as well as general scientific background.
Students are advanced to candidacy upon completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.
The student may present the history and significance of the area and discuss the merits and pitfalls of the particular experimental approach being taken. Two quarters of TA'ing are required by the end of the fourth year in graduate school. A research dissertation and Final Oral Examination are required for all students seeking a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. It should be an original body of work and provide the main evidence for independent scholarship by the student. The formal defense of the completed dissertation is presented in the form of a Final Oral Examination, attended by the student's Doctoral Committee, and open to the public.