The major part of Ph.D. training is the thesis research that begins once the student has chosen a laboratory in which to work. A committee of faculty members, chosen by the student in consultation with the mentor and approved by the Program coordinator, provides advice on the research. Committee members provide objective, critical analysis of the research, monitor the student's progress toward the thesis, and guide the student through the research. They provide expert advice on avoiding the pitfalls that can foil newcomers to biomedical research, and, when the thesis is ready for presentation, they serve as the defense committee. Typically more than 15 seminars in the biological sciences are held on campus each week.
Speakers come from the United States and around the world.
In addition to seminars sponsored by individual departments, student-organized seminars involve students in the selection and hosting of speakers. This provides excellent opportunities for students to meet outstanding scientists from outside the Washington University scientific community. Several symposia each year also bring internationally recognized speakers to campus to address topics of broad and current interest to scientists. The Program hosts an internal seminar series at noon on Tuesdays in Cori Auditorium or 775 McDonnell Sciences Building, allowing senior students and postdoctoral fellows an opportunity to present their research. Students in the Program also run their own meetings to discuss research, literature and technical advances.