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Graduate Program in
Biological and Biomedical Sciences

The Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences is an umbrella program that encompasses several Graduate Fields. The goal of the Program is to enhance Ph. D. education for baccalaureate students by providing every student in the program with stable funding and common experiences, such as research rotations and regulated teaching opportunities, thus generating a strong sense of community.

The Program sponsors a Recruitment Weekend for a selected group of potential applicants, Orientation program for incoming graduate students as well as a number of social and academic events throughout the year.

Structure:

At Cornell, graduate study is organized into Graduate Fields. A Graduate Field is based on a common research interest shared by the member faculty. Faculty members of a particular field can be from different departments and colleges. Faculty are often members of more than one Graduate Field.

Each Field has its own admissions and degree requirements. Five Graduate Fields participate in the Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Students interested in the Program should apply to one of these Graduate Fields (detailed information on each field, including specific admissions requirements, can be found by clicking on the appropriate link below).

Participating Fields:

Program Requirements & Benefits:

The Program provides a wide range of research laboratories for a student to choose from, as well as a framework for common educational experiences for all students in the participating Fields.

Lab/Research Rotations: Each student is expected to complete three lab/research rotations during the first year of study. These rotations entail working with three different members of the Program faculty on research projects in laboratories or in other settings. The rotations fulfill several different functions: they help integrate the student into the community, aid in selection of a thesis lab, and broaden the student’s research skills.

Teaching Experience: All the students in the program will work as Teaching Assistants for one semester in their second or third year of study. The nature of the teaching assignment will vary with the background of the student.

Financial Support:

All the Graduate Fields in this Program offer financial support for five years, contingent upon the student's successful performance in academics and research. This support includes tuition coverage, student health insurance and a stipend.

Applications:

Procedures: Applicants should apply to the member Field which is most appropriate for their research interests. Each Field has its own admissions and degree requirements; applicants should examine Field websites to insure all Field requirements are met (links provided above).

A web-based application, as well as a version of the application package which can be downloaded, can be found on the Graduate School site. The web-based application goes directly to the Graduate School and is the preferred method of applying. Paper applications and all other materials for the Fields of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Pharmacology and Physiology should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Education, College of Veterinary Medicine at the address below. Materials for Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology and Microbiology should be sent to the address indicated on the respective Field websites. Once your application is complete, it is considered by the Executive Committee of the Field.

PLEASE NOTE:

Application deadline is:

  • December 15 for admission to the Fields of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Immunology, Pharmacology, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Microbiology, and Zoology in the fall semester of the following year.
  • January 5 for admission to the Field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology in the fall semester of the same year.

Please make sure that all application materials arrive before the deadline.

Inquiries regarding the Program should be addressed to:

Graduate Education Coordinator
Office of Graduate Education
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
S3-016 Schurman Hall, Box 38
Ithaca, NY 14853-2602
e-mail: graduate_edcvm@cornell.edu