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Courses
Because students will enter the program
with widely varying backgrounds and interests, students are given the opportunity
to choose among a variety of courses. Students are expected to take a minimum of
three courses in Microbiology. Students must also take at least three of the elective
courses listed below, chosen with the goal of filling gaps in the student previous
education or satisfying a strong interest in a particular topic. In addition, all
students must do at least three 9-week laboratory rotations and take a course on
scientific ethics. As required by the Graduate School, students must obtain a grade
of "Honors" in two semester courses in order to advance to candidacy.
Laboratory
Rotations
Students will be required to do one year of Laboratory Rotations involving three
separate laboratories. Each rotation typically lasts approximately 9 to 10 weeks,
during which time the student is expected to actively participate in a research project
under the direction of a faculty member. Rotations are graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory;
the faculty sponsor provides a brief written evaluation of each student's performance.
A primary purpose of the research rotations is to identify a laboratory in which
dissertation research will be carried out. Rotations also serve to introduce students
to a number of techniques and requirement will not be waived merely because a student
has already made a final decision concerning a dissertation laboratory. Students
should decide and organize their rotations in advance by direct discussion with specific
faculty members and the DGS. The first rotation should be in late September/early
October, after faculty research presentations. The second rotation will start in
January, and the third rotation in or about the third week of March. Written reports
(in the format of a brief 3 to 5 page research paper) are required at the end of
each rotation. If necessary or of interest to the student, Laboratory Rotations may
continue through the summer. It is anticipated that all students will determine their
thesis laboratory by the beginning of their second year.
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