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Program Timeline

This is a typical plan; individual student degree plans may will vary based on the different CMB degree tracks. Please see track specific requirement information below.

Students should be enrolled in 9 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters and 3 credit hours in the Summer semester.


 


Rotations

Choosing a research advisor and a dissertation research project are some of the most significant decisions you will make in graduate school. First-year lab rotations provide students the opportunity to explore different research interests and lab management styles prior to the selection of a Ph.D. supervisor. You may do first-year research rotations with any faculty member on the Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or Microbiology Graduate Studies Committees.

To help make an informed decision about your lab rotations:

  • Attend seminars by faculty members
  • Meet individually with faculty members
  • Consult with other graduate students
  • Consult the CMB Graduate Advisor

2024 Laboratory Rotation Schedule
June 3 - August 9, 2024 // Early Summer Rotation
August 12 – September 20, 2024 // First Rotation
September 23 – November 1, 2024 // Second Rotation
November 4 – December 13, 2024 // Third Rotation

Rotations are arranged through mutual agreement between the student and the faculty member (Principal Investigator or ‘PI’) of the lab in which the rotation is arranged.

Refer to the Graduate Program Handbook for additional information about lab rotations and joining a permanent lab.


Program Handbook & Policies

The current Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program Student Handbook can be found on our resources page.

The handbook is the primary source for detailed information about program requirements, policies, and procedures. Students should read the handbook annually in order to familiarize themselves with important information related to their enrollment in the doctoral program.

Forms for Degree Processes

How-To Guides for Current Students

UT Box EID login required. Includes guides for:

  • Registration (including tuition/insurance waivers)
  • Applying for Admission to Candidacy
  • Annual Committee Meetings
  • Defense & Graduation

Graduate Student Responsibilities & Example Degree Checklist


Resources that Support a Safe and Inclusive Campus

The CMB Graduate Program, the University of Texas, and the College of Natural Sciences want all graduate students to benefit from supportive, inclusive, and safe classroom and research experiences. The following resources are available to support this goal:


Mentoring Organizations for Graduate Students

ILS Graduate Student Association Mentoring Buddies in Science Program:

Mentoring Buddies in Science is a mentoring and community building initiative created by the ILS Graduate Student Assembly (GSA). Through this program, we hope to foster support and collaboration amongst students to help incoming First Years transition to graduate student life.

LS-PAC MODELS Program:

The LS-PAC MODELS Center provides mentorship, professional learning, and networking opportunities for historically underrepresented STEM undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-career faculty.

Científico Latino:

The Científico Latino Project works to increase the pool of minority scientists and professionals by creating a platform where everyone—regardless of ethnicity, gender,  sexual orientation, disability or immigration status—has equal access to fellowship and scholarship opportunities, and the chance to learn from their peers to becoming successful STEM professionals and other related fields.

National Research Mentoring Network:

Provides evidence-based mentorship and professional development programming for researchers in all career stages in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences.