MCDB Graduate Student Handbook

IF YOU WERE ADMITTED TO ACCESS FALL 2004 OR THEREAFTER:


You will follow the ACCESS (www.uclaaccess.ucla.edu) program requirements for your first year of graduate study, which are:


FALL:

M253, Macromolecular Structure
M248, Molecular Genetics

WINTER:

M267A, Cell Structure, Signaling, and Development
M267B, Seminar in Cell Structure, Signaling, and Development

SPRING:

200 Level, Elective Course
200 Level, Elective Course
M234, Ethics and Accountability in Biomedical Research


You must pass these courses with a grade of B or better. You may elect, in consultation with your Guidance Committee or your thesis advisor, to take additional graduate courses or seminars in a particular area of specialization. Your Guidance Committee may also advise you to take certain undergraduate courses for remedial purposes.


At the time of the Doctoral Oral Examination (by January of your third year), you will be expected to demonstrate a graduate-level knowledge of Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, and Genetics. This level of sophistication is obtained through coursework and participation in seminars, but may also be obtained by reading appropriate scientific literature; we require all three.


IF YOU WERE ADMITTED TO ACCESS OR IF YOU WERE A DIRECT ADMIT BEFORE FALL 2004:


All Ph.D. students are required to take (and to pass with a grade of B or better) a minimum of four graduate level courses selected from the pool of courses listed below. You are urged to complete this course requirement as soon as possible, preferably in the first year, so that you can begin your thesis research unimpeded by coursework during the second year. You may elect, in consultation with your Guidance Committee or your thesis advisor, to take additional graduate courses or seminars in a particular area of specialization. Your Guidance Committee may also advise you to take certain undergraduate courses for remedial purposes.


At the time of the Doctoral Oral Examination, you will be expected to demonstrate a graduate-level knowledge of Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, and Genetics. This level of sophistication is obtained through various courses listed here and participation in seminars, but may also be obtained by reading the appropriate scientific literature; we require all three.


Cell Biology:

MCD Biology CM220, C222A-F, CM223, 228, M229
Biological Chemistry CM267;
Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics C211, 250.


Molecular Biology and Genetics:

MCD Biology M230B/D, CM248, C250, CM252, CM256, CM258
Biological Chemistry M253 (required of all students), CM248;


Chemistry & Biochemistry M230B, M257, CM259A&B; CM260, M263, C270

Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics C259, M261.


Developmental Biology:

MCD Biology M234, C239


Ethics:

Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics CM234
(required of all students during their first year)