University of Colorado Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

During their first nine months of study students engage in a schedule of laboratory rotations with faculty whose programs are of particular relevance to each student's interests. At least three rotations of three months each are undertaken to assure exposure to a diversity of problems and approaches. Moreover, the rotations aid students in making a decision as to which faculty mentor to approach for supervision of research for the doctoral dissertation.

Candidacy for the Ph.D. requires successful completion of a qualifying examination in which a student presents and defends a research proposal written in the format of a grant application. On admission to candidacy a period of two to three years is required for the conduct of the dissertation research and the writing of the dissertation itself.