The first year of study in the IMP program consists of laboratory rotations, coursework, and other academic activities with the goal of the selection of a thesis advisor by the end of the first year.
LABORATORY ROTATIONS
Students are required to complete the Introduction to Research series that concludes in the 1st week of October before contacting faculty for their first laboratory rotations. Each member of the IMP faculty provides a brief overview of their research in The Introduction to Research series, and thereby exposes students to the wide variety of research interests available to them.
Each student must do research in at least 3 different laboratories of GDBBS faculty during the first year, with the following exceptions. One of these laboratory rotations may be satisfied by eight weeks of full-time research during the summer prior to matriculation. Some students may decide to do a fourth rotation during the summer after their first year. Students entering the program in Advanced Standing or with prior laboratory experience may arrange to do fewer rotations and special exceptions can also be made given sufficient justification with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Laboratory rotations expose students to different research approaches and techniques of modern science. They help define a student's research interests and make it easier to select an advisor. However, the choice of advisor is not limited to faculty with whom the student has done a rotation. Rotations also allow faculty to observe and evaluate the first-year student in their laboratory setting. Expectations for time spent in the laboratory should be clearly established between the faculty member and the student before beginning each rotation. In general, students are expected to be working on their projects when not attending class or studying. Individual rotations are generally scheduled for the following dates:
- Rotation #1: 2nd Week of October through 3rd Week of December
- Rotation #2: 1st Week of January through 2nd Week of March
- Rotation #3: 3rd Week of March through 4th Week of May
Laboratory rotations receive letter grades, and are evaluated in a short report by the faculty sponsor to the Executive Committee.
COURSEWORK
Students must complete 72 hours of credit to graduate. 24 hours are completed during the first year. At the end of the first year, students successfully completing their 24 hours of coursework are placed in "Advanced Standing".
Fall Semester 1st year
- Basic Biomed & Biol Sciences (IBS 555 - 6 credits)
- Concepts of Immunology (IBS 542 - 4 credits)
- Intro to Research (IBS 545 - 1 credit)
- Laboratory Rotations (IMP 597r - 1 credit)
- Colloquium in Immunology (IMP 792r - 2 credits)
OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
Program Seminars, journal clubs
Attendance at weekly IMP Program seminars is a requirement for IMP students. IMP Program seminars given by faculty and invited speakers are held throughout the academic year. Arrangements are made for students to meet with guest speakers, and students are encouraged to participate in the scientific discussions. Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in the biweekly student-organized journal club that is also attended by IMP faculty.
Research-in-Progress (RIP)
Students are required to participate in the weekly Research-In-Progress meeting, where they present their ongoing research to other IMP predoctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. Guidelines for RIP are as follows:
- The first RIP for each student will be in the Spring of the 2nd year.
- RIP seminars will begin the first Thursday of the academic year.
- Students will select a date for their RIP from blocks
of dates allotted for their year.
- Students will pick dates most appropriate for attendance by their advisor and thesis committee members.
- Any changes to the RIP schedule must be arranged by the student with another student within their class year. This change must be made no later than four weeks before their scheduled RIP and with approval of the DGS.
- Students are required to notify the IMP Program Administrator by August 1st preceding the academic year with their request for a RIP date, otherwise dates will be assigned for them.
- Students within their last year of the Program are required to present a RIP.
- Students are not required to present an RIP if it falls within the semester of their dissertation defense.
- Email announcements for RIP will be sent one day in advance.
- The DGS is responsible for RIP scheduling.
Regional and National Scientific Meetings
Students are strongly encouraged to present their research at regional and national scientific meetings. A small amount of travel money is usually available. Applications for support should be made to the Graduate Student Council, the Division and the IMP Program (in that order).
THESIS ADVISORS
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) will serve as advisor until the student has selected a thesis advisor.
Selection of a thesis advisor takes place after the final laboratory rotation. No final commitments should be made to a faculty member by the student (or vice-versa) until this time. The thesis advisor must be a member of the GDBBS. Although not mandatory, we strongly encourage students to select a thesis advisor who is a member of the faculty of the IMP Program.
Note: Students who choose a thesis advisor at the CDC must have a co-advisor who has an Emory University faculty appointment and is a member of the IMP program.
