FACULTY RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CURRENT STUDENTS POST DOCTORAL COURSES CURRENT STUDENTS Introduction Ph.D. Program Graduate Student Handbook Ph.D. Requirements TA Manual Pre-research Seminars Department Rescources Columbia Resources Student Directory Incoming Class Previous Classes M.A. in Biotechnology Introduction Student Handbook Seminars Useful Websites Undergraduate Program Welcome Graduate Student Handbook - Academic Pursuits Graduate Student Handbook Academic Pursuits Graduate Student Requirements Qualifying Examinations General Degree Requirements Thesis Defense Departmental Facilities Graduate students at Columbia University are expected to engage full-time in advanced study and research. The program demands initiative and self-discipline from the student; it offers the student the opportunity to study and learn to the extent of his/her ability. Each student is expected to undertake intensive study of those areas of science that are of special interest and that will further their research goals. The stipends provided are for a full-time effort; students are not allowed to hold additional jobs. First year Activities A. Courses and seminars- New students must take the two semester Core sequence and Pre-Research seminars (G6001-6002). Students are encouraged to begin their elective courses as well. B. Degree requirements - Teaching is begun in the second year or second semester (see Teaching Guidelines). In addition, Columbia GSAS has created a website with useful teaching resources. C. Laboratory rotations- Students are encouraged to engage in laboratory research. Such experience, an essential component of graduate education at Columbia, facilitates the development of practical skills that open the way to independent research and provides an opportunity for becoming better acquainted with some of the faculty and other students. Faculty Advisory Committee A Faculty Advisory Committee for each student is appointed during the second year of study. Each committee is composed of three members of the faculty, including the student's research sponsor, selected by the Graduate Student Advisor in accordance with the research proposed by the student. The student should consult the Advisor if he/she has specific recommendations as to the composition of the Committee. The Committee keeps track of its advisee’s progress by administering the qualifying examination Part II. Students also meet with members of their committee at least once each year to review the progress made by th e student during the year. A student may request a committee meeting to discuss special issues or problems. Research Sponsor An important aspect of a student’s program is developing a compatible association with a research sponsor. A sponsor not only guides the student in design, the performance and analysis of experiments, but also makes effective use of all the faculty to ensure that the student is not only well-trained, but also well-educated. A student wanting to initiate thesis work should ask an appropriate faculty member with whom he or she would like to be associated to act as research sponsor. Faculty members are not required to act as research sponsors and students are not assigned to laboratories. The relationship is a personal one, established after thoughtful consideration by the student and by the prospective sponsor. English Placement Test The University requires that all foreign students from non-English speaking countries take an English Placement Test. This test is offered in the Language Labs in Lewisohn Hall. Once this test is evaluated, the student may be placed in a course offered by the American Language Program. This course, designed specifically to assist foreign students with both language and cultural difficulties, is required for all students whose scoring on the placement test demonstrates a need. The American Language courses are given at many different times, accommodating laboratory and course schedules. HOME DIRECTORIES NEWS & EVENTS RESOURCES EMPLOYMENT CONTACT US