Biomedical Sciences Cluster Curriculum

The thematic curricular focus of the Biomedical Sciences Cluster is the basic scientific study of human biology and related disease processes.  Five distinct, degree-granting graduate programs with specialized research foci make up the Cluster: Cancer Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition and Pathology/Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine. Though the programs are distinct, there is much overlap, collaboration, and interdisciplinary interaction within the Cluster.

Students are admitted to the Cluster into one of the five programs but have the option of changing programs during the first year.   Students combine study in core basic science areas with specialized study in programmatic core areas within their area of particular research interest.  The Divisional requirement of nine course credits is maintained by each program, and this requirement is generally comprised of three basic science core courses (one course in three of the following four areas: cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology), three  to four programmatic core courses, and electives complete the nine required courses.  There is also a Divsional requirement to enroll in the Scientific Integrity and the Ethical Conduct of Research course offered each spring and required for all first year graduate students.  In the second and third years of study, students are required to complete two Teaching Assistanships for credit.  Courses taught may be within the undergraduate biological sciences level, graduate level, or Pritzker School of Medicine courses.

To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a B average in all graded courses, and receive a B or better in required program courses.  After each quarter, the curriculum committee will review the transcripts of the students.  Any C must be balanced by an A at the end of the student's second year. 

All students in the Biomedical Sciences Cluster must attend the All Stars seminar series which takes place during their first year throughout the Autumn and Winter quarters.  This seminar series provides an opportunity for new students to get exposure to the research taking place in Cluster faculty laboratories.  At noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, two different faculty members will each speak to students about research projects available to students within their labs.  This is an opportunity not only to think about future rotations, but to meet a variety of faculty in a casual setting.  Lunch is provided.

There is a great deal of flexibility in how the student's individual curriculum is structured. For example, a student initially interested in Immunology may wish to take two basic science core courses and Host Pathogen Interactions in the first quarter of residence.  Later, if the student decides to take his or her degree in Pathology/MPMM, the course in Host Pathogen Interactions would count as an elective, and the student would subsequently complete the Pathology/MPMM core courses.  Electives can also be used to deepen a student's exposure to a particular topic or discipline, including those outside of the Cluster (e.g., Neurobiology).  All students are required to complete a preliminary examination and thesis proposal before admission to degree candidacy.

The goals of the Cluster curriculum are to ensure that students are adequately grounded in the basic sciences, exposed to the latest research and methodologies in their particular area of research interest, and allowed maximum flexibility in pursuit of their particular research interests. The graduate programs also stress the importance of attending scientific seminars and assist the student in learning how to get the most from each seminar. This is accomplished through courses structured around seminar series and individual journal clubs within different programs, all of which are open to Cluster students independent of program affiliation.  In addition, students will have opportunities to attend off-campus program retreats, scientific meetings, and workshops.