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PSC Graduate Program

Program Laboratory Rotations

Students will participate in a rotational research experience in the Department in their first year of the program. This is intended to provide a valuable opportunity to gain exposure to active research in the Department and to enable the student to make an informed decision in choosing a thesis advisor. Students should take the next several weeks to learn the research directions of various laboratories in which they have an interest, including current projects and planned projects, the projects which graduate students have worked in the recent past and on which students are currently working, and basic methodologies used in the laboratory. Students should also understand what a rotation would involve in the faculty member’s laboratory if they were to choose to do an expanded research rotation and/or a research thesis project in that setting. A good match between the student and advisor greatly enhances the chance for a successful, meaningful and memorable graduate education.

Two laboratory rotations are required; additional rotations may be possible with approval of the Graduate Program Director. Rarely, exceptions have been granted to allow a single rotation if both requested and strongly supported by the faculty member and student. Students will register for 1 credit of PHAR 608 Introduction to Laboratory Research and are required to complete a minimum of 160 hours* in each rotational research experience. The specific details of the assignment (hours, project, etc.) should be mutually agreed upon by the student and rotation advisor prior to the beginning of the rotation. A written report which should summarize the project(s) and techniques participated in (including background, specific aims, methods, results, and discussion) is due to the rotation advisor at the completion of each experience. For each rotation, this report together with discussions during the rotation will form the basis for student evaluation. A failing grade will be given only if a student does not participate in or complete the rotational research experience as described above.

Students will submit their choices for rotations to the Graduate Program Office by October 1. The Graduate Program Director will place the student with a rotation advisor after consulting with the faculty involved. Rotations should begin by October 6 and be completed by May 27, unless other arrangements have been made with the Graduate Program Director. Under unusual circumstances, students may choose to discontinue a rotation within two weeks after the assignment has begun. In such cases, the student must immediately notify the Graduate Program Office and request reassignment.

At the end of the rotational experience, students will be asked by the Graduate Program Director to select a research advisor. The Graduate Program Director will check to determine if the advisor can support the student and will either approve the selection or seek a second choice from the student. This process should be completed by June 1.

* This is approximately 10 hours per week in the Fall and Spring semesters or four full weeks over the semester break in December/January.