In addition to the WPI requirements, a dissertation (minimum of 30 credit hours) and dissertation defense is required of all Ph.D. students. It is the intention of the faculty that doctoral students develop skills not only in their research area, but also receive training in interdisciplinary approaches to research, presentation skills (oral and written), pedagogical approaches, experimental design, and professional ethics within the life sciences.
Laboratory Rotations
Students in the Ph.D. program participate in laboratory rotations during their first year. Laboratory rotations—short periods of research experience under the direction of program faculty members—are intended to familiarize students with concepts and techniques in several different scientific fields. They allow faculty members to observe and evaluate the research aptitudes of students and permit students to evaluate the types of projects that might be developed into dissertation projects. Rotations typically last seven weeks.
Publications
All successful Ph.D. students are expected to have at least one first author-manuscript published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, the students are expected to present their thesis work at a national or international conference.
Qualifying Exam, Reports and Dissertation Defense
Students must form a thesis committee by the end of their first year of study. Committees are typically composed of four faculty members: three from within the Biology and Biotechnology department and one external to the Biology and Biotechnology department. While committees can exceed four members, the majority of the Examining Committee must be members of the Biology and Biotechnology department faculty. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must give annual presentations of their research work to the department as part of the graduate seminar course and meet at least annually with their thesis committee to document and discuss their progress in the program. Submission of annual reports following each meeting are required to remain in good standing within the program. A Ph.D. qualifying exam that is composed of both written and oral components is required and expected to be completed before the end of the second year of study. The student must successfully pass the qualifying exam to continue in the PhD program. A written thesis and public presentation of the completed dissertation is required of all students and will be followed immediately by a defense before the Examining Committee. All members of the Examining Committees must be present for the qualifying exam and the thesis defense.