Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD)

Year 1 Classes and Comprehensive Exam:

The goal of the course work in the first year is to expose the student to the biomedical sciences to enable them to design and approach a research problem from molecular, biochemical, cellular and organ system perspectives. This broad based approach to disease is the core of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences program. The Topics in Biomedical Integration course (GCC 531) is offered in the spring semester of the first year. In this course, a specific disease will be studied from the molecular perspective to organ system failure under Faculty direction. The students will then be assigned a group project in which they use the approaches they have learned to study another disease. This project will strengthen student skills in preparation for the comprehensive exam. In the summer, GCC 532 Topics in Biomedical Integration II is the comprehensive exam in which students will be given an individualized disease topic related to their planned research. They will be required to write a literature review approaching the topic from each biomedical prospective.

Year 1 Research Experience:

During the first year, every student will have three laboratory rotations: GCC 530, Laboratory Rotation 1 (variable), GCC 533, Laboratory Rotation 2 (variable), and GCC 534, Laboratory Rotation 3 (variable). Each rotation must be in a different laboratory. A student registering for the 3 required Laboratory Rotations should consecutively use GCC 530, 533 or 534. These laboratory rotations will expose the students to a range of research environments.  Students are expected have a small project with a hypothesis and aims, to learn techniques and attend all lab meetings. Based on these rotations and other discussions with potential advisors, at the end of these rotations the student will submit the names of three potential Research Advisors with a priority ranking to the IBS Education Committee. The IBS Education Committee in consultation with the potential advisors will decide which student will be matched with which advisor (see Track Selection below). Students committed to a particular laboratory (funded by the Research Advisor’s grants) are also required to do 3 laboratory rotations. Exposure to other laboratories and research will give the student a greater breadth of knowledge. Students are expected to select a Research Advisor and a Research Track by the end of their first summer term. IBS MS to PhD students will follow their track of courses and may either do a rotation (GCC 534) or if they did not change laboratories, they may immediately begin Pre Dissertation research with their research advisor. All advisors must meet the criterion established by the program (see below).

Year 2 Track Selection, Research experience, Qualifying Exam

The selection of Research Advisor will significantly influence the student’s selection of a research track. Subsequent classes will be dictated by the track cognates and electives and by relevant electives offered in other tracks. The selection of electives should complement research activity and the interests of the students and should help prepare him/her for the career path identified through the use of the Individual Development Plan (IDP) website (http://myidp.sciencecarreers.org) and additional resources provided by the Graduate College. The goals of the second year are to learn the relevant laboratory techniques and to develop a research proposal in conjunction with their Research Advisor. The research project will advance knowledge in a specific discipline and yield “first author” scientific publications for the student. The student’s research proposal should include Specific Aims and be written up as an F31 grant (See “Dissertation Proposal and Presentation” on the next page). The student must select a Dissertation Committee and present the proposal to the committee by the end of the second year.  The proposal presentation to the Committee is considered the Qualifying Exam.  Acceptance of the proposal by the Dissertation Committee means the student is a candidate for the PhD.

The student’s assessment at this time relates to the following Student Learning Outcomes:

The graduate will be able to acquire research skills, collect and analyze data, and interpret results in order to address an original research question.

In addition, this step begins the continuing assessment of the following outcomes: A graduating student will be capable of independent critical thinking and writing as well as proposing, performing and effectively presenting his/her research.

The graduate will be able to work collaboratively with other scientists, physicians and health care professionals to give and obtain feedback concerning the approach to research problems, data analysis and implications of research.

The work environment in basic and clinical science is evolving. Students need to be aware of the many different types of opportunities available in the workplace and need to prepare themselves for the opportunities and challenges that they will encounter when they graduate. In addition to the research and the coursework that the student will be involved in the student will create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to define their areas of interest including teaching, administration, research in industry, or academic research.  At the end of the first year the Program and Track Directors will review each student’s IDP plan and progress in the program. Upon graduation, the graduate will have used the IDP, mentorship and training opportunities to refine their career path.

Student progress is assessed at the end of years two through five.  For year two the assessment of student progress to meet expected outcomes will be evaluated by the student’s Research Advisor and Track Director. See section on Dissertation Proposal and Presentation.

Year 3-5 Research Progress/Publications/Dissertation

For evaluations in years three through five, the student will submit a written report documenting their progress. The research advisor and Track Director will also submit their assessment of student progress for each year.  A meeting with the student, Research Advisor, and Track Director will take place at the end of each year to discuss the student’s progress.

The Research Advisor monitors the day-to-day progress of the student. The Dissertation committee will meet at least once per year to monitor progress and to approve any changes to the proposed research project. They may meet more frequently, especially after the approval of the student’s research proposal. The student is expected to attend national meetings, make presentations, posters etc. and become a part of the scientific community. Likewise, the student should be submitting research articles. The Integrated Biomedical Science PhD program requires that the research project yield at least one first authored research article accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The publication requirement is necessary for graduation but not sufficient. The Dissertation Committee will continue to assess student progress on the aims and determines when the student has completed his/her dissertation. (See Dissertation Proposal and Presentation, below).

The student’s assessment continues on the outcomes listed above with emphasis on the growth of research and communication skills. Likewise, it is expected that the communication outcomes will also become more centered on written communication in the form of abstracts, peer-reviewed journal articles and the dissertation as the student begins to complete the following outcome:

• The graduate is able to contribute to the scientific literature in an area of expertise via published abstracts, a dissertation and by the publication of a first-authored research article in a refereed journal.

Thesis Document, Presentation and Approval

The student is expected to write a thesis document (approved by the director of the Library of Rush University Medical Center) and present the work in a public lecture attended by the thesis committee, and University faculty and students. The thesis committee will then meet with the student in a closed session to address any additional questions and to deliberate on approval of the thesis. Typically the meeting immediately follows the public lecture. The student may be asked to make revisions before final thesis approval by the committee.  The registrar’s office must be notified of impending completion of the degree by submission of an Intent to Graduate Form at the beginning of the final semester. As the thesis is reaching final form, the student should consult with the University librarian to assure that the document is formatted correctly. Once the thesis is approved, the student will complete the final checklist to assure that all necessary approvals have been obtained. Each student will be required to have an exit interview and provide feedback concerning his or her experience at Rush University.

Academic Advisor/Principal Advisor

The Program Director functions as the academic advisor to the student during the first year. During this time, the Program Director determines the course schedule with the student and monitors the student’s progress.  In the second year the Track Director works with the Research Advisor and assists the student in selecting the proper cognates and electives.

Research Advisor Selection:

During the first year, the student, in consultation with the program director and track directors in areas related to the student’s interests, will select three laboratories for research rotations. Based on these rotations, the student will identify the track he or she is interested in and submit the names of three potential advisors with a priority ranking to the IBS education committee. The IBS education committee, in consultation with the potential advisors, will match students with advisors. Students who are already committed to a particular laboratory (funded by the research advisor’s grants) are still required to take three laboratory rotations. The student’s research project should advance knowledge in a specific discipline and yield first-author scientific publications for the student.

Integrated Biomedical Sciences (PhD): Track/ Research Opportunities

The research tracks for the Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD Program are translational cancer research; cardiovascular and respiratory biology; immunity, inflammation and infection; functions and disorders of the musculoskeletal system; and functions and disorders of the nervous system. The tracks include qualified faculty from Rush University Medical Center who have an interest in research in these tracks. They come from academic departments as well as clinical departments, which enables students to select a variety of individuals with basic and clinical expertise to serve on their advisory committees and guide them through their projects.

Qualifying Exam

The goals of the second year are to learn the relevant laboratory techniques and to develop a research proposal in conjunction with the student’s Research Advisor. The research project will advance knowledge in a specific discipline and yield “first author” scientific publications for the student. For the Qualifying Exam, the student’s research proposal should include a hypothesis and specific aims and be written up as an F31 grant. The student must select a Dissertation Committee and present the proposal to the committee by the end of the second year.  All members of the Advisory Committee or appropriate substitutes must be present at the Qualifying Exam and the Dissertation Defense either in person, on the phone or using electronic media.

If the student does not complete the Qualifying exam by the end of the Summer of their second year they will be on probation during the Fall of their third year. If they have not taken the exam by the end of that semester on probation the student will be dismissed. Since the advisor also has a responsibility to make sure that their students complete milestones in the program on schedule, advisors of students who do not take the Qualifying exam by the end of Fall semester their third year will not be allowed to take a new student into their laboratory for the next two years. If possible, students will submit their proposal as an Individual National Research Service Award (F31) [see: grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm#fellowships for more information]. Once a student has passed the Qualifying exam they are a candidate for the PhD and will register for GCC 699, Dissertation Research. Once the Qualifying Exam has been passed, the student will present an annual update to their committee in an identical format as the original proposal meeting with exception of the anticipated year for graduation. They will also present their work in an open seminar in GCC 693 during their third and fourth years (unless the student is graduating in their fourth year). The annual Advisory Committee update will consist of an oral presentation research progress by the doctoral student to their committee. This oral presentation will be followed by a discussion of progress in the last year; their career development will also be reviewed. A detailed written account of each of these areas will be distributed to the committee prior to this meeting. It is recommended that the myIDP website (http://myIDP.sciencecareers.org) be used whenever possible to track and report all professional development activities.

First Year

Second Year

Note:

Please Note:

2 credit hours of GCC 699 is defined as full-time

^{In years three through five, the emphasis is on research. A student works with their dissertation advisor, research advisory committee and track director, to determine the most appropriate mix of cognates, electives and research hours each semester.  For graduation, students will need 16 credit hours of cognates and 9 credit hours of electives. Electives and cognates may be taken at any time throughout a student’s tenure as a PhD student.}

^{• GCC 694-698 Advanced Topics Seminar courses count as cognates and are taken for one semester hour of credit each fall and spring term starting in the Spring of the first year for a maximum of eight credits.  This course is not required during the semester when a student intends to graduate. The Advanced Topics Seminar course should align with the student’s research track.}

^{• GCC 598 Pre - Dissertation Research: Pre-Dissertation Research and Laboratory Rotations are part of the core curriculum.}

^{• GCC 699 Dissertation Research: Students are expected to register for a low number of research credits each semester since only 18 credits of dissertation research are required for graduation. Two credit hours are considered to be a full time commitment to research.}

• ^{Other Cognates and Electives}

^{While registrations appear similar in years three through five, the nature and character of the research changes, and the student passes through a number of steps towards completion of the PhD.}