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Biomedical Sciences

Program of Study

The Worcester Consortium Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences is an innovative program created and administered by WPI. The Consortium, for this program, consists of WPI, Clark University, The University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research. Students may enter the program and receive their degree either from WPI or from Clark, but may complete their dissertation research at any of these Consortium institutions. Admission to the program requires evidence of substantial post-baccalaureate research experience and a commitment of support from a research sponsor.

Students are expected to begin their dissertation research immediately upon entering the program. Students choosing to enter through WPI are considered WPI graduate students and must meet the general degree requirements of WPI as well as requirements specified by the department through which they enter. A detailed description of procedures and degree requirements is available in the office of the biology and biotechnology department.

Research Interests

Research opportunities at WPI exist in the general areas of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology. Other research interests include microbiology, environmental biology, developmental biology, and plant and animal physiology. Details are available upon request.

Combining resources of the four participating institutions presents a unique opportunity for a graduate education. The faculty and laboratories available to the student are magnified over those of any single institution. A professional environment of these dimensions permits a great deal of freedom to acquire and develop many novel ideas during the pursuit of a Ph.D.

Biomedical Sciences Laboratories

The laboratory resources at all four participating institutions are available to aid in the student's research activities, as are graduate level courses at WPI, Clark University, University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research.

Registration and Fees

Students may, with the approval of their Advisory Committee, transfer up to one-third of the required credit hours for the doctoral degree from one of the other named consortium institutions or from another accredited institution subject to the following criteria:

• Must be graduate level courses with a final grade of B or better.
• Research credits are not transferable.
• Students registering at WPI for research credit at a Consortium institution other than WPI are required to pay one-half the current cost per credit hour. Course work and research conducted on campus is charged at the normal credit-hour cost.

Degree Requirements

For the Ph.D.

The student's research program is supervised by a committee of professional scientists representing at least two of the participating institutions, including a faculty member from the degree-granting institution. During the first year of study, the student must pass a preliminary examination that includes both written and oral segments. A written dissertation, a seminar based on the content of the dissertation and a final dissertation defense are also required for the Ph.D. degree. There is no foreign language requirement.

Admission Requirements

A student entering through WPI must meet the entrance and graduation requirements of this institution for the Ph.D. However, the student may have a Research Advisor and project at University of Massachusetts Medical School, Clark University, Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research or WPI. The student is expected to have substantial academic background, surpassing that acquired while pursuing a traditional bachelor's degree in biology, and students with postgraduate experience or a master's degree are encouraged to apply. Research assistantships may be offered to qualified students. Teaching assistantships may also be available.

Dissertation Defense

Candidates for the Ph.D. must give a public seminar on their dissertation research, to be followed immediately by a defense of the dissertation before an Examining Committee. The Dissertation Examining Committee should include the student's Advisory Committee and must include at least two members of the WPI faculty. For students in the Consortium Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, the Dissertation Examining Committee must include at least one member of the Steering Committee of the Consortium. All members of the Examining Committee must be present for the public presentation and subsequent defense.

The Dissertation Examining Committee will pass the student unanimously or with no more than one dissenting vote. The dissertation will be signed by those members voting for approval. A student who fails the dissertation defense may repeat the defense within no more than six months from the date of the failed defense. A second failure will result in dismissal from the program.

Requests for more information or application forms should be made to the program director at 508-831-5930, or jbagshaw@wpi.edu.

Program Director

J. C. Bagshaw

Professor and Program Head; Ph.D., University of Tennessee

Program faculty members are assembled as appropriate from WPI, Clark University, University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research.

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Last modified: September 08, 2006 17:17:51