THE FIRST YEAR
Entering graduate students arrive on campus a week before classes begin in the fall to enroll in classes and attend orientation. During the first year at Stony Brook, graduate students take Graduate Biochemistry, Membrane Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Spectroscopy, and Computational Methods in Biochemistry and Structural Biology. One of the most important courses that the graduate students take during this period is the research oriented Experimental Biochemistry and Structural Biology, where students complete rotations in which they participate in ongoing research in the laboratories of three different faculty members. From these rotations, each graduate student will select a laboratory in which to conduct thesis research and fulfill the requirements for the PhD degree.
THE SECOND YEAR AND BEYOND
During the second year the graduate students generally complete their formal course requirements with two elective courses they find to be of most interest.
Advancing to Candidacy
A written qualifying examination is taken in January of the second year between the fall and spring semesters. During the second year, the student’s own research becomes the primary focus, since he or she will have chosen a laboratory and permanent advisor. Under the guidance of the faculty advisor, the student will write a formal research proposal, and choose an advisory committee that includes at least three additional faculty members. Students present their proposals to this advisory committee (and continue to meet with the advisory committee on a yearly basis to discuss their research progress toward the completion of their degree).
Dissertation
The student then works full-time on thesis research that culminates in the submission and defense of a written PhD dissertation. Students typically defend within 5-6 years of starting the program.
DEPARTMENT SEMINARS AND JOURNAL CLUBS
Students attend weekly departmental seminars in biochemistry and structural biology. In addition students attend a BSB journal club/student seminar series each spring.
In the third and subsequent years in the BSB Program graduate students present their research progress to other students and faculty. The Graduate Student Seminars are an opportunity for you to gain communication skills and to learn about ongoing research of other students and research laboratories.
Faculty from outside the institution are invited for weekly seminars and symposia. These are opportunities to meet visiting scientists who are leaders in their fields and to learn of their latest findings.
Graduate Course Offerings can be found in the GRADUATE BULLETIN.
TEACHING
In the second semester of the first year and the first semester of the second year, graduate students develop teaching skills by serving as a Teaching Assistants for one of the undergraduate biology or biochemistry courses on campus. Performance is guided by the faculty instructor for the course.
This experience provides an opportunity to develop crucial presentation skills and refine teaching techniques that students will need in their future careers.