Academics

The Ph.D. program of The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research stresses critical thinking and the rapid development of experimental prowess. The program also focuses on in-depth training in the latest methodologies and approaches. Students are expected to develop and execute a research project that addresses a significant biological question in order to complete the degree. The program strives for completing a research-based degree in an average time of five years from matriculation. Upon completion of  training, each student is expected to be able to identify interesting biological problems, devise interdisciplinary approaches to those problems, and execute those investigations using the best tools possible.

Curriculum

The program of The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research stresses critical thinking and the rapid development of experimental prowess, instead of traditional didactic coursework.

The first term of study (in the fall) is structured around a fourteen-week course that is devoted to the development of the necessary proficiency in critical thinking, reading, and writing. In addition, a number of modular courses are required and include significant lab work, as well as lectures, critical reading and discussion of relevant papers.

The second term (in the spring) is comprised of three consecutive two-month rotations in labs of the student's choice.

Students enter their dissertation labs in June of their first year and take a qualifying exam in December of their second year.

Most critically, students are expected to develop and execute a research project that addresses a significant biological question in order to complete the degree.

The program strives for completing a research-based degree in an average time of five years from matriculation. Passing all courses, earning 108 credit units, and defending a written thesis on original research at The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research are the minimum requirements for completion of the Ph.D. program. No credit is given for hours earned at another institution. No course may be taken for credit more than once.

First-term Courses
The first term is structured around a fourteen-week course that provides vigorous training on critical reading, thinking, and proposal writing, and introduces fundamental concepts and knowledge on the topic of each of several segments. In addition, modular courses on topics such as Cell and Developmental Biology, Cell Division and Chromosome Biology, Genomics, Imaging, Neuroscience, Proteomics, and Transcription are required. The modules include significant lab work, as well as lectures, critical reading and discussion of relevant papers.

Laboratory Rotations
The second term is comprised of three consecutive two-month rotations in labs of the student's choice. Each rotation immerses the student in the research program of a single laboratory where the student will address a specific research question under the direction of the advisor and senior laboratory staff. Expectations for rotations - in terms of experimental effort and success - are extremely high. Students are expected to fully commit to the rotation lab and accomplish a reasonable amount of work, as they have few other responsibilities. While students' primary focus during this term is on lab work, the requirements also include in-lab meetings, seminars, and journal clubs.

Dissertation Laboratory
Students enter their dissertation laboratories in June of their first year. Students are expected to develop and execute a research project that addresses a significant biological question in order to complete the Ph.D. degree. Following successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, students devote the remainder of their time in the program fully to laboratory research. Students are expected to participate in lab meetings, seminars, and journal clubs.

Qualifying Exam
Students take a Qualifying Exam in December of their second year. The Qualifying Exam is an oral defense of a written thesis proposal that may be conceived with the assistance of a research advisor but should represent the student's own plan. The written proposal must be completed solely by the student in the fall term of their second year.

For the Qualifying Exam, a student produces and orally defends a detailed written plan for the thesis research. The written proposal needs to contain the specific aims of the research, detailed background, preliminary data, and planned experimental approaches. For the oral exam component, the Thesis Committee (and one or more additional principal investigators, when warranted) discusses the proposal and project with the student in detail, offers criticism and redirection where warranted, and suggests ideas for additional approaches. During this process, the Thesis Committee assesses the student's background knowledge of the biological sciences as it relates to his/her thesis work.

The Qualifying Exam may be taken twice. Failure on the second attempt is grounds for dismissal from the program.

Research Integrity Course
Students are expected to complete a research integrity course in their second or third year, depending on when the course is offered. The course uses selected case studies to encourage students to think about the principles of research integrity; to appreciate the devastating effect of scientific misconduct on public trust, institutional reputation, and individual careers; and to understand why the Stowers Institute has zero tolerance for material deviation from commonly accepted standards for proposing, conducting, and reporting research.

Completion of Ph.D. Program
The completion of a body of work that addresses a significant biological problem and is likely to justify at least one publication in a high-impact journal is required to allow a student to progress to writing the thesis. The publications form the main body of the thesis. A detailed literature review precedes the thesis and a discussion of the possible next steps in the research follows the thesis. Presentation of an open seminar also is required to complete the Ph.D. program.
 

Mentoring

The faculty of The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research provides each student with guidance and encouragement to support the student's success in the Ph.D. program and assists with the next step in a student's education or career.

At the time of matriculation, each student is matched with a faculty member as a mentor. This mentor follows the student’s academic and research progress and provides advice throughout the student’s time in the program, at scheduled monthly meetings as well as at informal opportunities.

When a student enters the dissertation laboratory, the faculty member who leads that laboratory becomes the student’s advisor. The advisor supervises the student’s independent research and provides guidance to the project. If the mentor is chosen as the advisor, a new mentor is selected.

Having two faculty members focused on each student provides a student with varying and insightful perspectives and also reinforces ideas and plans.