Developmental and Reproductive Biology

Requirements for Graduation (as of August 1, 2009)

Introduction

The Developmental and Reproductive Biology Graduate Program offers research oriented degrees in biomedical research focusing on fertilization and early development of higher organisms, with emphasis on evolutionary comparisons.   The curriculum is organized to promote research and requires at least a minimum research experience for all degrees.

1.  Required Courses (All Degrees):

Course	Description	Credits	Total Credits Required
Core:
DRB 601	Fert. & Early Develop. Biol.	3	14
DRB 613	Faculty Research Presentations	1
DRB 614		1
CMB 621	Basics of Cell and Molecular Biology	3
CMB 622		3
DRB 699	Research Rotation	3
Suggested Electives:
Anat 603	Lwr Extremity, Thorax & Abs	4	4 - 16
Anat 604	Upr Extremity, Head, Nck & Spi	4
Anat 607	Developmental Anatomy	2
DRB 650	Stem Cell Biology	3
Phys 617	Medical Physiology	3
Other
Other:
DRB 699	Directed Research	0 - 12	0 - 12
DRB 700	Thesis Research
DRB 800	Dissertation Research
Total Required			30

Summary:

• Students for all degrees are required to take a total of 30 credit hours.
• Students are required to take at least 18 hours of didactic course work, including the 14 hours of core courses and at least 4 hours of electives. 
• Students are required to have at least one research rotation (DRB 699, 3 credits).
• Students opting for Plan A Masters or for PhD can take up to 12 hours of DRB 700, thesis directed research, as fulfillment of their 30 credit hour total. 

2.  General/Comprehensive Exam (All Degrees):

All Master’s students are required to take a General Exam, which will be offered at the end of the second semester attended.  Doctoral students will take a Comprehensive Exam at the same time.

 3.  Written and Defense Requirements:

 MS- Plan A:  Thesis of Original Research

Final Examination:  Defense of original research.  Requires a committee with at least three faculty members, but it is recommended to have a fourth, outside member.

Written Thesis with Original Research:  This document must be turned into the Graduate Office in accordance with all UH rules.  NOTE:  If the student publishes a first author manuscript in a refereed journal, it is possible to reformat this publication verbatim for a Plan A Master Thesis, upon the discretion of the committee.

MS- Plan B:    

Final Examination:  Presentation of in depth literature review.  Requires a committee with at least three faculty members, but it is recommended to have a fourth, outside member.

Written Thesis of Literature Review:  This document is NOT submitted to the Graduate Office, but is submitted to the advisor.  It must be at least 30 pages (double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point font, 30 pages does not include references)

 PhD:  Dissertation of Original Research

Oral Exam:   Presentation of proposed research.

Final Examination:  Defense of original research.  Requires a committee with at least five faculty members, one of which must be an outside member.

Written Dissertation with Original Research:  This document must be turned into the Graduate Office in accordance with all UH rules.