Program Summary

The Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program is designed to educate and train students to become innovative research scientists. First-rate research training, at technical and conceptual levels, is the main focus of the Program. Students generally enter the CDB program from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program at the end of the first year of graduate school. Specific requirements for the completion and defense of the Ph.D. dissertation in CDB can be found in our guidelines . Graduates of the Program typically pursue a range of research and teaching careers in academia, biotechnology, or government.

Established in 2003, the Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Student Association (CDB GSA) focuses on strengthening student interactions, and student scientific and professional discussion. A major activity of the group is to identify (with DGS approval) and invite two speakers per year for the CDB seminar series and arrange all aspects of their visits. The GSA also meets once during each IGP rotation to introduce rotating IGP students to CDB Graduate Students in an informal environment. All meetings are relaxed, often with pizza and beer; many take place at a local restaurant within walking distance to Vanderbilt. Other GSA social events include a yearly picnic and baseball game in the early summer, when new graduate students are introduced to the Department. A Town Hall Meeting occurs each fall, when the GSA meets with the Director of Graduate Studies and Department Chair. Issues related to student training are discussed and the GSA-invited speakers are selected. Elections are held for the leadership of the GSA at the yearly Spring Meeting. The GSA has one president and one vice-president. A new vice-president is elected each year and is expected to stay on for a second year as GSA president. Students are eligible to become a GSA vicepresident only after passing the Qualifying Exam. 03/03/08