GENERAL CURRICULUM

First Semester

The first semester of study is required for all students and consists of four basic components:

  1. An integrated lecture course with associated small group discussions and grand rounds which together cover the "Fundamentals of Biomedical Science". This core course is designed to prepare students for study in any one of the advanced concentrations and at the same time provide training which is sufficiently broad to accommodate a diversity of careers in virtually any branch of modern biomedical science This course covers the fundamentals of:

    • Molecular Biology
    • Structural biology
    • Genetics
    • Cell biology and transport
    • Cell biology/cytoskelton
    • Signal transduction/cancer

  2. A practical course consisting of formal laboratory instruction and a series of lectures on "Essentials of Graduate Research and Professional Development". The course provides practical laboratory experience in proteins and nucleic acids including DNA cloning, PCR, southern blotting, and protein purification and characterization. Essentials of Graduate Research and Professional Development is designed to help new graduate students begin their research careers with some practical knowledge and an understanding of the issues that will increase their chances for a successful graduate education and professional career in the biomedical sciences. The course covers the University libraries, radiation safety, biosafety, ethics, and career opportunities.
  3. Laboratory rotations. The rotations consist of short research projects in a student chosen laboratory. The purpose of the rotations is to enable the student to become well acquainted with individual faculty members and other graduate students, to learn about their research, to acquire some research techniques and skills, and to establish a basis for selecting a major professor.
  4. A weekly seminar program. Students and faculty attend a presentation by a basic or clinical scientist from another university or from industry. The seminar is intended to provide current exposure to high quality biomedical research.

Second Semester

At the end of the first semester, students can either choose to associate with an advanced concentration or continue with a more general curriculum. If the student elects to associate with an advanced concentration at the end of the first semester, continued course work will be determined by the requirements of the advanced concentration. If the student elects to continue with the general curriculum, they have the option of choosing, in consultation with an advisor, among 6 core courses or a mixture of core courses and advanced concentration courses. These students will be expected to choose a research supervisor and advanced concentration affiliation shortly after the end of the second semester. The six core courses are:

For more detailed information about the IDP graduate program, please visit the main IDP website.

University of Florida Location: http://www.med.ufl.edu/pharm/grad_program/curriculum.shtml
Updated: Apr 29, 2008, © 2005 University of Florida