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Urey Cottage: Home
of the Waton School of Biological Sciences
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The first year
of the curriculum assumes an innovative format
in which students progress rapidly from intensive
course instruction to doctoral research. The
year begins with a 15- week fall course term
that extends from the end of August to mid-December.
During the fall term, students are free of
research responsibilities, which allows them
to devote their full attention to intensive
course instruction and seminars.
During the subsequent winter and spring, students participate
in three six-week-long laboratory rotations, a Topics in Biology
course, and teaching at the DNA Learning Center. In May, students
select a research mentor and prepare for the Ph.D. qualifying
exam in June. After the requirements of the qualifying exam have
been satisfied, students focus on their doctoral research
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Click on the photo to read
Colin Malone's perspective on the unique
curriculum at the Watson School of Biological
Sciences. |
Click
here to view the "Curriculum
at a Glance"
Two-Tier Mentoring
The Watson School of Biological
Sciences graduate program is committed to the success of its
students. To promote a high level of student achievement, the
faculty and administration take an active role in mentoring and
supervising the students. A special feature of the curriculum
is an intensive and supportive “two-tier” mentoring
program, which involves an academic and research mentor for each
student.
Soon after matriculation, each student is matched with a faculty
member as an academic mentor. The academic mentor follows the
student’s academic and research progress, and provides
advice for the duration of the student’s tenure in the
graduate program. After the laboratory rotations, each student
chooses a research mentor. The research mentor is the doctoral
thesis research advisor, who supervises the student’s independent
laboratory research. Should the student choose his or her academic
mentor as the research mentor, a new academic mentor is selected.
By providing both academic and research mentors, the Watson School
of Biological Sciences provides each student with advice from
faculty who hold different views. They can then offer a multiplicity
of in-depth evaluations of the student to aid in promoting each
student’s future career.
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Click on the photo to read
David Simpson's perspective on mentoring at the
Watson School of Biological Sciences |
