Student Handbook

Lab Rotation

Rotations provide an opportunity to explore areas for possible Ph.D. thesis research. In addition, both students and faculty are able to test possible working relationships. A rotation evaluation (Appendix II) is turned in to the DGS by the supervising faculty member at the end of each rotation, and these evaluations are discussed by the entire faculty in the Field of BMCB at the spring Field meeting in early June. Along with course grades, the rotation evaluations are used by the Field faculty at this meeting to decide if a student has performed at the expected level for the first two semesters. Students with unsatisfactory grades and/or rotation evaluations will be asked to withdraw from the PhD program (see below).

During the first half of the Fall semester BMCB students meet as a group twice a week to hear each of the faculty in the Field discuss his/her research. These meetings are called "Rotation Talks." Detailed information on Field faculty can be found here. All first year students are expected to attend these talks. Except under special circumstances, all three rotations should be carried out with members of the Field of BMCB. Contact these faculty members as soon as possible to discuss your plans and to work out a schedule for rotation periods (see below). By mid-October at the very latest you should make your plans known to the DGS, and start the first of three rotations. Usually by the end of the third rotation you will, by mutual agreement with the faculty member concerned, have settled on a laboratory in which to do thesis research. Students who want to initiate a fourth rotation should consult with the DGS.

What is expected of a graduate student on rotation? While no one objects to a graduate student completing a project and writing a paper for publication during a rotation, no one expects it either! What is expected is self-motivated earnest effort, independent thinking, and the fullest participation possible in the intellectual life of the laboratory.

First Period: mid-October – end of December
Second Period: early January – early March
Third Period: early March – early May

Exact dates will be listed in the orientation material on the “Important Dates for First-Year Graduate Students in the Field of BMCB” sheet.