Curriculum
Ph.D. students receive a stipend and a tuition and fee waiver and are expected to enroll as full-time graduate students. Initially students take formal course work and become familiar with our current research topics through seminars, discussion groups, and lectures. Based on this, students select the research laboratories they wish to rotate through to explore dissertation options. Once a match has been made between the student and the faculty advisor they will begin their dissertation research.
The total number of credit hours required for graduation will vary depending upon the qualifications of the student on entering the program, the nature of research being conducted, or in the funding status of the student. Further information can be found in the graduate bulletin OHR Cancer Concentration and OHR Infection and Immunology Concentration
Professional Development
Students are required to submit an NIH fellowship application. They present annually at our Research in Progress lunchtime series and present a poster at our annual research symposium. In addition, all students will attend at least one national or international conference to present their work.
We offer an individually tailored Research Skills and Career Development course. Working with your research mentor you will complete myIDP, an online tool to help you identify future career options. You will then work with the course director to access and develop skills that you need to pursue your career.
We offer two personal development fellowships and one research symposium award that can be used to attend workshops, professional courses, or conferences.
Students can also take advantage of the many professional development opportunities offered by the VCU Graduate School and have the option of enrolling in the Broadening Experiences for Scientific Training Program to explore their career options. Students interested in an academic career can enroll in the Preparing Future Faculty Program.
Further details can be found in the graduate bulletin.