UCONN MD/PhD Program Guideline Book 2012-2013

UCONN MD/PhD Program Guideline Book 2012-2013

GUIDELINES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MD/PhD PROGRAM I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW The MD/PhD program is designed for highly motivated students who want to become physicianscientists. The program allows students to acquire competences in both the basic biomedical sciences and the clinical aspects of their chosen field of medicine. The program integrates the curricula of both the medical and graduate schools in a way that meets the specific degree requirements of each, yet allows the completion of both degrees in a timely manner. The MD/PhD program is strongly committed to providing its students with an intellectually stimulating and flexible program. Although most students are admitted directly into the first year of study, students may also enter the program after completion of the first or second year of medical school. Students spend the first two years completing Phase 1 of the Medical School curriculum, selected Graduate School coursework and two laboratory rotations. During the next three to four years, students complete their Graduate School coursework and pursue PhD thesis research in one of 7 areas of concentration (AoC) of the Biomedical Science field of study. Students then return to Medical School to complete Phases 2 and 3 of Medical School training (clinical training). Typically, both degree requirements are completed in seven or eight years. II. THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS The School of Medicine participates in the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), which administers a centralized application process. Upon receipt of the AMCAS application, the School of Medicine requests that applicants complete a short supplemental application. The MD/PhD Director, in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and other ad hoc members of the MD/PhD Steering Committee, selects promising applicants to interview with the program. The interview day is one evening and a full day consisting of 3 faculty interviews, a student interview, dinner with students, lunch with students and faculty, a tour of facilities and attendance at an MD/PhD Research Club meeting. Interviews occur primarily between October and February. Interviewees are selected for admission by the Steering Committee, which includes the Dean for Admissions to the Medical School and the Associate Dean for the Graduate School. Evaluation criteria include extent and rigor of previous research experience, commitment to becoming a physician-scientist, undergraduate academic performance, MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, and interview reports. Applicants must also meet all criteria for admission to Medical School, including community volunteerism and physician shadowing. Applicants are reviewed by the Steering Committee as they are interviewed and offers of admission are made on a rolling basis. Accepted students are encouraged to re-visit the University of Connecticut Health Center during Second Look Weekend. The UConn MD/PhD program strictly adheres to the timelines for admissions established by the AAMC. III. Advising The Advisory Committee for new students will consist of the Director and several members of the MD/PhD Steering Committee. They will work with students during the first two years on matters related to laboratory rotations, coursework and selection of a thesis advisor. They are also available to assist any student who may encounter academic and/or personal problems. In the graduate phase, each student selects a thesis advisor and advisory committee who mentor 2

the student through the thesis research. Through informal interactions with faculty during the program, each student is encouraged to seek out other mentors and role models. IV. Funding The UConn MD/PhD program is fully funded, meaning that support is provided to all students who are meeting the benchmarks of the MD and PhD programs and attaining an overall B average in coursework. All incoming students are provided with a fellowship and a waiver of medical and graduate school tuitions and most fees. Students are encouraged to submit individual fellowship awards (such as the F30/31 NIH awards) for their thesis research years. Federal and private fellowship awards are supplement by the institution to the level of a UCHC graduate assistantship. V. CURRICULUM A. Summer Prior to Entering the MD/PhD Program For each student entering the program, the Registrar s Office files a graduate school application on the student s behalf. Entering students do not declare an AoC at this time. Although not required, entering students are encouraged to do a laboratory rotation from mid- June to mid-august. If a rotation is taken prior to starting Med-1, the fellowship begins in mid- June. The selection of the laboratory rotation preceptor is done in close consultation with the MD/PhD Program Director and the Preclinical Advisory Committee. At the end of the rotation, the rotation advisor will submit a letter grade and a written evaluation of the student s rotation and discusses the evaluation with the student. The report becomes part of the student s file. B. Medical School, Phase 1 (First Year) B1. Human Systems (HS) HS consists of approximately 650 contact hours over 38 weeks. It is divided into four sections: Human Biology (13 weeks; 8 credits); Organ Systems 1 (9 weeks; 5 credits); Organ Systems 2 (9 weeks; 6 credits); Organ Systems 3 (7 weeks; 4 credits). The course covers the basic elements of human anatomy, histology, biochemistry, physiology and genetics. Also included is an introduction to biostatistics and the principles of epidemiology. The instructional format includes lecture (50%), laboratory (30%) and small group sessions (20%). The content represented in each of the sections of the course is summarized below. Human Biology (HB) - Basic structure, anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and immunology of cells and tissues Organ Systems 1 (OS1) - Structure and function of the CNS; gross anatomy of the head and neck Organ Systems 2 (OS2) - The gross anatomy of the thorax with a focus on the structure and function of the heart, blood vessels, lungs and kidney; introduction to the study of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Organ Systems 3 (OS3) - Gross anatomy of the abdomen and pelvis, with a focus on the macroscopic and histological structure of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, the endocrine organs and the reproductive organs; principles of embryonic development 3

B2. Correlated Medical Problem Solving (CMPS) CMPS is taken throughout Phase 1 (medical years 1 and 2) in parallel with other coursework. It is designed to assist students in their development as independent learners and to promote the acquisition of skills related to problem solving, access to information, and group interaction and communication. The instructional format is problem-based learning, with students divided into groups of eight with two faculty facilitators (one clinical and one basic science). The course meets for three hours each week. Case content is chosen to correlate with topics being presented in concurrently running basic science courses. Each case is developed and discussed over a 3-week period, providing students with two weeks of independent study. B3. Clinical Medicine Course (CMC) CMC extends throughout Phase 1 and is designed to develop in students the skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to practice clinical medicine. The course focuses on the patient, on the developing physician and on the special and complex relationship between them. CMC consists of two components: Principles of Clinical Medicine (PCM) and Student Continuity Practice (SCP). Each section meets one afternoon per week for four hours. PCM takes place at the medical school and is an experiential course that formally teaches students clinical skills. Student-patient interaction is emphasized, and standardized patients are used extensively for instruction and evaluation. In the SCP, students participate in a continuity clinical experience through the clinical years as an elective. The SCP meets one afternoon each week of the academic year. During this time students participate in the delivery of care at an ambulatory clinical site. Expectations for student performance at the SCP site are tightly matched with those of PCM. The overall objectives of the SCP experience include the observation of the natural history of disease and the provision of continuity of care; the development and refinement of clinical skills; the establishment of a mentoring relationship with their precepting physician. B4. Graduate Studies During the first two years of the program, students will take graduate courses designed to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate experimental design and interpret scientific data. The course topics are varied and might include neuroscience, immunology, the molecular basis of disease and the evaluation of scientific data. Courses meet once per week for 1 to 2 hours during the academic year. In some cases, an appropriate medical school elective can be taken as the graduate course. The student registers for this elective in the graduate school as independent study credits. B5. MD/PhD Research Club All students participate in MD/PhD Research Club. This is an informal forum for research-inprogress and laboratory rotation talks. At some of the sessions, a faculty member is invited to present the research interests of his/her laboratory. Selected sessions throughout the year are devoted to special seminars on topics of particular relevance to student training and career development. A light dinner is served. C. Summer between the First and Second Year A final conference with the MD/PhD Director occurs prior to selection of a graduate faculty preceptor for the summer rotation. The student then spends approximately 10 weeks full-time laboratory work supervised by the preceptor. As mentioned above, the student submits a written report of the rotation and the preceptor provides a written evaluation of the student. 4

D. Medical School, Phase 1 (Second Year) D1. Human Development and Health (HDH) HDH, a 5-credit course spread over eight weeks, consists of five major content areas: Human Development; Health and the Health Care System; Bio-Psycho-Social Framework of Health and Illness; Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care; Clinical Epidemiology. The course represents a multidisciplinary survey of 1) the biological, psychological and social development of the human from conception to death; 2) an investigation of the behavioral and social influences on health and fitness; 3) an introduction to principles of medical law and ethics applied to the doctor-patient relationship and health care problems; 4) an overview of the organization, delivery and effectiveness of health care services across the life span; and 5) evidenced-based medicine through Clinical Epidemiology. D2. Mechanisms of Disease (MOD) MOD is a 30-week course covering the pathology and pathophysiology of the organ systems. In addition, basic principles of therapeutics (pharmacology) are presented. The instruction format includes lecture (50%), laboratory (15%), small group conference (30%) and clinicalpathological correlations (5%). The course contains four sections: MOD A (6 credits) - General pathology; principles of pharmacology and infectious diseases MOD B (5 credits) - Diseases of homeostasis MOD C (5 credits) - Oncology and diseases of metabolism MOD D (6 credits) - Diseases of the nervous system; diseases of the reproductive system; immune and non-immune mediated diseases D3. CMPS (see above) D4. CMC (see above) D5. Graduate Studies In addition to the seminar courses mentioned previously, students will continue to be exposed to research opportunities through the MD/PhD Research Club. By June 15 of the second year, students will provide written notification to the Medical School Office of Records/Registration that they will be entering the Graduate School component of the MD/PHD. A copy of the letter must also be sent to the Director of the MD/PHD. Following a review period in June, MD/PHD students take Step I of USMLE. First Year Human Systems (HS) 38 weeks Correlated Medical Problem Solving (CMPS) Clinical Medicine Course (CMC) (PCM, SCP) Graduate Courses 3-4 credits MD/PhD Research Club SUMMARY OF PHASE 1 Second Year Research Human Dev & Mechanisms of Rotation Health (HDH) Disease (MOD) (Summer) 8 weeks 30 weeks 10 weeks Correlated Medical Problem Solving (CMPS) Clinical Medicine Course (CMC) (PCM, SCP) Graduate Courses 3-4 credits MD/PhD Research Club Research Rotation (Summer) 10 weeks 5

E. The Graduate School Years E1. Selection of a Thesis Advisor, AoC and Advisory Committee All students will have completed a minimum of two laboratory rotations with different faculty prior to selection of a thesis advisor. The process of selection of an AoC and a thesis advisor should be completed by the end of the second year of study. The AoC of Biomedical Science are: Cell Biology; Genetics and Developmental Biology; Immunology; Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Neuroscience; and Skeletal, Craniofacial and Oral Biology In consultation with the thesis advisor, the student will select an advisory committee consisting of the thesis advisor and at least two associate advisors who must be members of the Graduate Faculty. The major advisor and at least one associate advisor should be members of the AoC. The precise format of the advisory committee will be determined by the guidelines of the AoC. For example, in some AoC, it is recommended that the chair of the advisory committee be a member other than the major advisor. The student will inform the MD/PHD Steering Committee of the advisory committee selection in writing. Additional graduate school coursework will be selected based on discussions with the advisory committee and the requirements of the particular AoC but must include a minimum of 12 credits apart from thesis research. This will typically include advanced coursework in the AoC and journal club. The advisory committee will meet with the student at least twice a year to evaluate progress. E2. Plan of Study Each student must submit a Plan of Study during the first year of graduate study. The Plan of Study includes a listing of the completed and proposed coursework and is signed by each member of the advisory committee. E3. General Examination The precise format of the General Examination (also known as the Preliminary Exam) is determined by the guidelines of the AoC. Typically, the General Examination will consist of an NIH-style grant application. The topic of the proposal may or may not be related to the thesis research as determined by the AoC. A synopsis of the selected topic is presented to the Advisory Committee for approval. Following a one-month period of preparation, the student submits the written proposal to the advisory committee and a member of the Steering Committee (this constitutes the examination committee). The student will then defend the proposal orally. The examination committee as well as other faculty members of the AoC can participate in the oral examination. The examination committee determines the outcome of the General Examination. Successful completion of the General Examination must occur by March 31 of the second year of full-time graduate studies. E4. Dissertation Prospectus The student must file a prospectus of the proposed thesis research by the end of the second year of full-time graduate study. The dissertation prospectus must be submitted to and approved by both the advisory committee and the Chair of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs Committee. A thesis prospectus form and guidelines can be obtained from the Office of Records/Registration. E5. Thesis Research Upon passing the General Examination, making satisfactory progress in the Plan of Study, and completing the Dissertation Prospectus, the student becomes a candidate for the degree of 6

Doctor of Philosophy and devotes a full-time effort toward completion of the thesis research. During this time, the student should meet periodically with the Advisory Committee to discuss research progress and problems. Throughout the years in the Graduate Program, students are required to participate in the MD/PHD Research Club series and to present their research work at appropriate intervals. The student s advisory committee authorizes final preparation of the thesis. The precise composition of the thesis examination committee will depend on the student s AoC but usually is comprised of the advisory committee and often an outsider reader. The thesis presentation is an open seminar in which the student describes the work to the program and the scientific community and interested members of the Health Center community. The examination committee will make the final decision as to whether a student has passed or failed the thesis defense. The thesis advisor shall communicate the results of the examination to the student and formally to the Registrar of the Admissions Office of the Student Center, which should be consulted for other requirements concerning the preparation of the thesis and the conduct of the final examination. Milestones for the Graduate School Years First Year Second Year Remaining Years Plan of Study Graduate Courses Thesis Research General Exam Dissertation Proposal Thesis Research Thesis Research Thesis Defense E6. Transition Back to Medical School Students anticipating entering the clinical years (third year medical school) by September will notify the Director of the CMC course and the MD/PHD Director by March of the prior academic year. The CMC Director notifies the Director of the Clinical Skills Assessment Program to schedule a complete history and physical examination with a patient instructor. Remediation would be provided for students as needed. Such a procedure allows the student to review and re-awaken the previously acquired clinical skills. All returning students would then attend three or four sessions that would focus on history and physical examination, clinical reasoning, oral presentation skills and behavioral counseling. Patient instructors provide students with practice in these areas after the clinical faculty have worked with the students in a small seminar setting, which would occur between April and June. The student is allowed to resume clinical training (Phase 2, third year of Medical School) when the following criteria are met: All laboratory work pertaining to the thesis must be completed. The student s advisory committee must approve a draft of the thesis. Successful defense of the thesis or, the thesis defense must be scheduled and both the MD/PhD Steering Committee and the Graduate School must be informed. The results of the thesis defense will not be filed with the Graduate School until the month of completion of the medical degree. When all criteria have been completed, the student makes arrangements to begin his/her clinical training through the Office of the Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs and the Office of Clinical Education. At this time, the student re-enters the Medical School yet maintains a continuing registration in the Graduate School until the PhD degree is formally awarded. It is important to note that the student may enter the third year of medical school as late as October 1 and still graduate on schedule. 7

F. Medical School, Phase 2 (Third Year) Upon completion of the PhD requirements for the Graduate School and satisfactory completion of the Clinical Skills Assessment Program, the students enter the clinical programs. All students must register each semester for MEDS 411-40-Clinical Practicum; this is accomplished in the Registrar s Office. The third year of medical school focuses on two major courses: Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Experience (MAX) and Inpatient Experience. The MAX Course covers thirty-two weeks, while the Inpatient Experience is sixteen weeks in length. In addition, throughout the third year there is one-half day per week in the Student Continuity Practice. F1. Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Experience (MAX) MAX divided into two sixteen-week components: MAX-1 includes six weeks of Internal Medicine, six weeks of Pediatrics, one week each of Orthopedics and ENT and a two-week evaluation period called Home Week in which the students clinical skills are tested and written examinations are administered. Throughout MAX-1 students have a one-half day per week for 16 weeks of Psychiatric Continuity Clinic in a mental health center or a private practice. The MAX-2 experiential consists of six weeks of Ob/Gyn, six weeks of Family Medicine, three weeks of General Surgery and a one-week evaluation period called Home Week. F2. Inpatient Experience This sixteen-week course consists of three four-week blocks that include Internal Medicine, Surgery and Psychiatry, utilizing the services at affiliated hospitals, and a two-week Pediatrics rotation and a two-week experience called Beginning-to-End. During the latter, students follow patients from admission into the Emergency Department through discharge regardless of the service to which the patient is admitted. The focus of this experience is on the entire spectrum of activity involved from the decision to admit a patient to the challenge of discharge planning. G. Medical School, Phase 3 (Fourth Year) The last year of medical school consists of three sections: a required three-month Advanced Clinical Experience, a two-month Selective Experience and five months of electives. Once again students must register each semester for MEDS 412-40-Advanced Clinical Practicum with the Registrar. G1. Advanced Clinical Experience This course is divided into three one-month sections: Advanced Inpatient Experience, Emergency/Urgent Care Experience and Critical Care Experience. In the Advanced Inpatient Experience students can choose Surgery, Ob/Gyn, Medicine, Psychiatry, Family Medicine or Pediatrics. Students assume the responsibility for the simultaneous care of multiple complex inpatients, acquire advanced knowledge and skills and improve their efficiency and their ability to interpret clinical laboratory and radiological data. In the Emergency/Urgent Care Experience, students participate in patient care as it is delivered in an emergency setting. In the third onemonth experience, students choose Medical Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit or Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. G2. Selective Experience MD/PhD students are exempt from the MD program Selective Experience. 8

G3. Electives Students have five months of elective time with each elective being one month in duration. Students must complete at least three elective months in order to graduate. Such electives include Cardiology, Radiology, Nephrology, and Infectious Disease etc. PHASE 2 PHASE 3 Multidisciplinary Ambulatory Experience (MAX) 32 weeks Inpatient Experience 16 weeks Advanced Clinical Experience 12 weeks Selectives 8 weeks (not required) Electives 20 weeks Student Continuity Practice (SCP) Student Continuity Practice (SCP) (optional) VI. EVALUATION OF MD/PHD STUDENTS A. Coursework MD/PhD students must meet criteria for promotion/advancement in both Medical and Graduate Schools. Each student will have both a Medical School transcript and a Graduate School transcript. Grades on the Medical School transcript are given as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Grades for Medical School courses on the Graduate School transcript are also given as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Grades for Graduate School courses are given as letter grades. If the graduate school GPA is not maintained at a 3.0 level, required by the Graduate School for continuation in Graduate School, the student will be evaluated by the Steering Committee to determine a course of action. The student s performance is monitored throughout the year by the Steering Committee, which has the authority to promote or dismiss students within the MD/PhD program. Dismissal from either Medical or Graduate School will also be dismissal from the MD/PhD program. Note that unless specifically requested by a student, the graduate school transcript is not submitted as part of the application for the residency match program. B. Clinical Work The progress of the MD/PhD students during their clinical years is monitored by the Steering Committee, clinical faculty and the Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs 9

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MD/PHD PROGRAM MILESTONES Summer before Med-1 Fall Semester, Med-1 Spring Semester, Med-1 Summer, Med-1 Fall Semester, Med-2 Spring Semester, Med-2 Optional Laboratory Rotation Medical School BMS Curriculum Molecular Basis of Disease (MEDS 5309, 2 credits) Medical School BMS Curriculum Optional graduate course or independent study (1-2 credits) Laboratory Rotation Medical School BMS Curriculum Optional graduate course or independent study (1-2 credits) Medical School BMS Curriculum Nature of Evidence in Scientific Research (MEDS 5308, 2 credits) Summer, Med-2 USMLE, Step 1 Laboratory Rotation Grad-1 Complete Leave or Change of Enrollment Status form (July) Attend Graduate School Orientation (August) Select Thesis Advisor and Area of Concentration in Biomedical Science (Submit Change of Major Advisor form) Select Thesis Advisory Committee Submit Plan of Study Responsible Conduct in Research (MEDS 5310, 1 credit) - Required (Spring) Grad-2 Grad-3/final Grad year Complete General Examination Submit Thesis Prospectus Clinical skills course for Phase 2 of the Medical Curriculum (May/June) Complete written thesis and thesis defense (Note: Submission of Final Examination form and thesis does not occur until completion of Medical School requirements) Complete Leave or Change of Enrollment Status form (July to October) Submit written notification to Director of SCP indicating who will be your 3 rd year SCP preceptor Med-3 to Med-4 Complete clinical rotations and clinical elective (You are exempt from 4 th year Selective projects) USMLE Step 2 in Med-3 Submit thesis prior to graduation 10

Graduate School Course Credits in the Medical School Years Fall Semester Spring Semester Med-1 Meds 6400 Human Biology 8 Meds 6402 Organ Systems II 6 Meds 6401 Organ Systems I 5 Meds 6403 Organ Systems III 4 Meds 6404 Correlated Med Prob Solv A 2 Meds 6405 Correlated Med Prob Solv B 2 Meds 5309 Molecular Basis of Disease 2 Optional Graduate Course 1-2 Med-2 Meds 6406 Human Devel & Health 5 Meds 6408 Mechanisms of Disease C 5 Meds 6407 Mechanisms of Disease A 6 Meds 6403 Mechanisms of Disease D 6 Meds 6408 Mechanisms of Disease B 5 Meds 6417 Adv Corr Med Prob Solv B 2 Meds 6414 Adv Corr Med Prob Solv A 2 Meds 5308 Nature of Evidence in Sci Res 2 Optional Graduate Course 1-2 Med-3 Meds 6411 Clinical Practicum 12 Meds 6411 Clinical Practicum 12 Grad 6499 Continuous Registration Grad 6499 Continuous Registration Med-4 Meds 6412 Advanced Clinical Practicum 11 Meds 6412 Advanced Clinical Practicum 11 Other Graduate School Course Requirements You need about 12 additional graduate credits in the Grad years (excluding lab rotations). These can include Independent Study. Meds 5310 Responsible Conduct in Research (Required) 1 credit Meds 6496 Laboratory Rotation 1 credit per rotation (2 rotations are required) Meds 6497 Graduate Seminar (Journal Club) 1 credit per semester (per area of concentration) Doctoral Research (Grad 6950) During the Grad years, students with an assistantship need to have a total of 6 credits per semester to be considered as full time enrollment. Grad 6950 can be used to fulfill these credits. You will need a total of 15 credits of Grad 6950. Forms and Checklist Medical School Academic Policies: http://medicine.uchc.edu/current/policies/academicpolicies.pdf Graduate school milestones: http://grad.uchc.edu/current/milestones/index.html Graduate school forms: http://studentservices.uchc.edu/registrar/gradschool/index.html MD/PhD Checklist Leave or Change of Enrollment Status form (leave of absence from Medical School) Plan of Study Change of Major Advisor Form Report on the General Exam for the Doctoral Degree Thesis Prospectus Report on the Final Examination for the Doctoral Degree Letter of intent to enter third year of Medical School Schedule third year of SCP Revised, September 2012 11

UCONN MD/PhD Program Selecting a Laboratory Rotation MD/PhD students are required to complete two laboratory rotations. These will usually be taken in the summers following the first and second years of medical school and each will carry 1 credit each. An MD/PhD student may also take one of the required laboratory rotations during the summer prior to matriculation. Laboratory rotations are part of the educational experience in the PhD program. They introduce students to different faculty and research opportunities; they allow students to learn a variety of laboratory techniques; and they expand the student s breath of knowledge in different scientific areas. The MD/PhD BMS Advisory Committee will hold a mid-year group meeting with first year students to discuss the process of selecting laboratory rotations. It is important to consider not only the area of research but also the type of mentor that is a good fit for you. For example, do you want frequent input from your advisor, or do you like to work more independently? Some faculty will have well formulated projects while others will have you define your own project. Remember, your goal in the program is to get excellent scientific training. This is the start of your scientific career. Therefore, choosing a good mentor at this formative stage is more important than choosing a specific project. Before making a short list for your laboratory rotation, check the graduate school website to make sure the faculty member is taking rotation students 1. Before talking with a faculty member, you can use various resources to determine the level of laboratory activity and what types of research are being done. In addition: 1. Use PubMed or other databases to find peer-reviewed papers. How recent are they? 2. Do the students write their own papers? 3. What is the time to completion for his/her trainees? 4. Search the RePorter database (this has recently replace CRISP) for NIH funded grants 2. Remember, the RePorter will not list pending or submitted grants, and a faculty will not be listed if he/she is funded by other agencies such as NSF and DOD (department of defense) or by private foundations such as Donaghue, American Heart Association, etc. Also, if the faculty has a subcontract or is a coinvestigator on a grant, this is not listed in the database. Thus, RePorter does not give a complete picture of the lab s funding. 5. Does he/she write invited reviews, commentaries and chapters 6. What is the training record of other students and postdocs and what are the current positions of recent graduates? Talking points for your discussion might include: 1. What types of projects could be done for the laboratory rotation? Will the project include collaborations with other laboratories? 2. What is the size of the laboratory? 3. Who will do the day-to-day training? 4. Will I attend and participate in lab meetings and journal clubs? 5. Is funding available to do a thesis project in the laboratory? Revised: September 2012 1 http://grad.uchc.edu/prospective/programs/phd_biosci/index.html 2 http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm 12