Curriculum

Students prepare for qualifying examinations and dissertation research by judicious selection of required and elective coursework at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and in other divisions of the University. Course selection for individual students is at the discretion of the Training Committee and the Dissertation Research Advisory Committee (DRAC).

Pathway to the PhD

Year 1

Complete coursework as determined by the NMB-TC
Become familiar with training faculty’s research
Participate in three laboratory rotations
Select thesis mentor

Year 2

Select the Qualifying Examination Committee (by mid-spring of the second year at the latest)
Complete the Qualifying Examination (by June 30 of the second year)
Receipt of the MA degree
Conduct dissertation research

Years 3+

Select the Dissertation Research Advisory Committee (DRAC), often but not necessarily the same as the Qualifying Committee
Receipt of the MPhil degree
Participate in required academic activities, such as the Student Seminar series
Conduct dissertation research
Regular--minimum every 6-9 months and preferably twice yearly—meetings with the student’s DRAC
Schedule and meet with DRAC about three to six months before the projected defense date
Select Dissertation Defense Committee (usually includes some members of the DRAC)
Prepare a draft of the thesis and obtain feedback from the mentor and a designated reader
Set defense date
Submit thesis to the Defense Committee four weeks in advance of defense date
Defend thesis
Revise thesis, if needed
Submit final thesis to the Dissertation Office