Graduate students entering the Biology Graduate Program are trained through a combination of formal coursework and research experience. Research training consists of work on a research project under the guidance of one of our faculty. The specific research project is chosen in consultation with the faculty mentor and typically is closely related to the research interests of that lab. Coursework depends on the area of specialization and is determined with input from the faculty mentor and student’s advisory committee. All students must complete a set of common requirements for the Biology Graduate Program (PDF version), including seminar courses, research, a qualifying exam (for Ph.D. candidates), and defense. Additional coursework is dependent upon the selected training option. Graduate students enter the Biology Graduate Program and are trained through one of three mechanisms:
Students entering one of the specific training programs follow a core of required and recommended formal courses (MCB Training, EEB Training) and less formal group events that include public research seminars, laboratory meetings and journal clubs that are focused on each of these areas of biology. In consultation with their research mentor and advisory committee, students electing tailored training develop a customized curriculum tailored to the students needs and goals. This option affords the greatest flexibility in coursework and training for students wishing to pursue areas across or outside those of the two specific training programs. All graduate students have opportunities for collaborative interactions with any biology graduate faculty and with other students and faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts & Sciences, and Medicine. With more than 400 life sciences faculty and more than 1,000 researchers on campus, the University of Kentucky is an especially rich environment for the intellectual development of biologists. Individual faculty may participate in one or more training mechanisms, as indicated on each faculty member’s web page.