| Chemical Biology |
Program of Study and Formal Academic Requirements• The Chemical Biology Program prepares investigators with diverse backgrounds for independent research careers in which the concepts and methods of chemistry are used to solve biological problems. This objective is met through individually designed programs involving formal courses both in the Chemical Biology Program and in related fields, rotations in different labs, a qualifying examination, independent research, and dissertation writing.
Advising• The program Co-Directors meet with each student at least two times during his or her first and second years to monitor progress. • Subsequent to completing the qualifying examination, students are assigned a Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) to annually review and advise on the students’ progress toward completion of dissertation.
Coursework• Students are required to take CB2100: Introduction to Chemical Biology I, CB2200: Introduction to Chemical Biology II, MedSci 300: Conduct of Science and four additional courses chosen in consultation with the program Co-Directors. These courses must be passed with a B- or better.
Laboratory Rotations• Students are expected to complete a minimum of two laboratory rotations, preferably one in a laboratory with a strong biological emphasis and another in a laboratory with a strong chemical emphasis. Additional rotations beyond the minimum two are encouraged. Laboratory rotations will be approved by the Co-Directors. At least one of the rotations should be in the laboratory of a Chemical Biology Program faculty member.
Teaching Requirement• Students are required to serve as a teaching fellow for one course by the end of their second year of graduate study. The course should be relevant to chemical biology.
Preliminary Dissertation Qualifying Examination• The aim of the PQE is to assess the student’s ability to review research in a particular field, to identify a problem or formulate a central hypothesis that is significant for the field, to design line(s) of experimentation to address the problem or test the hypothesis, and to describe how s/he will interpret the data that would result from the proposed experiment. The topic for the proposal may be related to a student’s dissertation research or the topic may be completely independent. • Students may take the exam in the fall term (by the end of October) or in the spring term (by March 15th) of their second year. It is advised that the student completes the teaching requirement in the term without the PQE. • As a rule, students are not permitted to enter the third year of graduate study unless the qualifying examination has been passed.
Selecting a Dissertation Advisor• After the initial courses and laboratory rotations have been successfully completed, each student will discuss joining a research group with the faculty member(s) conducting research of interest to the student. Upon joining a research group, the faculty member who heads the group will then take on the remaining responsibilities of the academic advisor and direct the student’s doctoral research.
Dissertation Advisory Committee• Each student, in consultation with his or her dissertation advisor, will nominate a Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) to oversee the progress of his or her research. A DAC must be appointed by the end of October of the student’s third year and a meeting scheduled by the end of December. Subject to program approval, any three faculty may be on the committee.
Preparing for the Dissertation Defense• It is expected that the preparation of a dissertation will usually require full-time work for no fewer than one-and-a-half years, following the qualifying examination. The dissertation must give evidence of independent original research and be clearly, logically, and carefully written in proper English. The final manuscript must conform to the requirements described in The Form of the PhD Dissertation. • A student who expects to complete a dissertation in time to receive a degree the following May, November, or March must file an application for degree, accompanied by a note of approval from the dissertation advisor, at the Registrar’s office of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, not later than a date specified each year in this handbook. • Copies of the completed typewritten dissertation must be submitted to the Dissertation Examining Committee and the Co-Directors at least two weeks before the final examination is scheduled to take place. To obtain a degree at the end of the academic year, sufficient time must be allowed for the examination, dissertation correction, and binding.
Examiners• The student and the student’s dissertation advisor must select three examining committee members to be submitted to the Co-Directors for approval. • In accordance with GSAS policy, three signatures are required on the dissertation acceptance certificate; two examiners signing the dissertation acceptance certificate must hold an FAS faculty appointment. The Co-Directors may serve in the capacity of an FAS appointed signatory.
Public Seminar and Private Oral Defense• The dissertation examination has two components: public seminar and private oral defense. In the oral defense, the candidates will be questioned on the subject of the dissertation and its relation to the student’s special field and collateral subjects. • On completion of all the requirements, the original bound dissertation, with the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate signed by the reading committee, and one unbound copy, will be deposited at the Office of the Registrar of FAS, for inspection by any member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. • After Commencement, the original bound copy will be deposited in the Harvard Library, open to public inspection. A second bound copy will be kept by the committee chair, and a third bound copy will be kept by the department in which the student worked. |