The first year of study involves course work and research rotations. The goal is to provide a foundation of knowledge for thesis research and to prepare students for choosing a research mentor and degree program. The course work provides a broad background in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. Research is the most important element of graduate study, and the identification of a thesis project and mentor is a crucial process.
Students complete a rotation for one quarter in three different laboratories.
The ability to select research rotations with any of the participating faculty offers students the opportunity to sample different systems and approaches. The diversity of available laboratory experiences greatly enhances the ability of students to find an area which fits their interests. Chemical and physical properties of macromolecules and how these properties dictate function. Introduction to the molecular genetics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The molecular basis of growth and differentiation in eukaryotic cells and in particular mammalian cells are covered.