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The Steering Committee of the Integrated Program consists of the chairs of the basic science departments of the Columbia University Medical Center and the associate dean of Graduate Affairs. The participating faculty in the Integrated program includes faculty members of all the basic science departments of the Columbia University Medical Center (Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Genetics and Development, Microbiology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Pharmacology, and Physiology and Cellular Biophysics). There are more than 100 participating faculty members in the Integrated Program.

Programs of Study

The research activities of the program are in the areas of cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and development, microbiology, pharmacology, physiology and biophysics, as well as computational biology. Details of the specific research programs can be found in the descriptions of the participating departments on the Columbia University Medical Center (Cell Biology and Pathobiology (in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology), Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Genetics and Development, Microbiology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Pharmacology, and Physiology and Cellular Biophysics and the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics).

Degree Requirements

The requirements listed below are special to this program and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School. Students are required to pursue a full-time program of study and must keep a B average.

The program accepts only candidates for the Ph.D. degree. During the first year, the students take four core courses. The core courses are a one-year sequence in Advanced Biochemistry and Eukaryotic Molecular Biology described below, a course in Microbial Molecular Genetics and a course in Cell Biology of Membranes and Organelles. Some students also opt to take Molecular Biophysics during their first year, although they can take this course as an elective in the second year as well. During the second year, all students must take a course in the responsible conduct of research. In addition, the students need to take three electives, either in the second year or in subsequent years. There are no particular requirements for the electives, although the student’s advisory committee may have specific recommendations. Note that students affiliated with the Computational Biology Program have a modified set of requirements. Throughout the program the students participate in the Integrated Program student research seminar series, where the students present their own research to the other students in the program. All students must keep at least a B average.

Students are also required to do at least two rotations, but generally do three rotations, during the first year in the program. The training faculty submits written evaluations of student’s progress in each rotation and indicates their willingness to take a student. These evaluations are part of the student’s permanent record.

For the M.A. Degree

Only candidates for the Ph.D. are admitted. The program does not have a free-standing M.A. degree program. The M.A. degree requires successful completion of two Residence Units (one year) of graduate study and a minimum of 30 credits. Laboratory rotations must be completed.

Required courses: Microbial Genetics (G4150); Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology of the Eukaryote I and II (G6300-G6301); Seminar in CMBS; G9001-G9002); Research in Cell CMBS I and II (G9601-9602); Departmental Seminar I and II (G9009-G9010).

For the M.Phil. Degree

Students are awarded the M.Phil. degree upon successful completion of (1) the requirements for the M.A., (2) four additional Residence Units (two years) of graduate study, and (3) the Qualifying Examination.

Required courses: Seminar in CMBS(G9201-G9202); Research in CMBS I/II (G9601-9602)-G9008); Responsible Conduct of Research (G4010); and Responsible Conduct of Research Discussion (G4011).

Qualifying exam: At the end of the first year, the students read and prepare for their qualifying examination. This examination is used as a formal evaluation of the student’s potential as a candidate for the Ph.D. degree. The student writes two essays: one is generally their thesis topic and the other an unrelated topic. The proposals provide the framework for the qualifying oral examination, in which the students are examined on the chosen topic and on general knowledge.

For the Ph.D. Degree

Financial Aid

Stipend and tuition for students in their first year are provided by the program. Students are supported by research assistantships provided by their sponsors during each succeeding year.