Program
Overview
As biomedical research moves forward in the 21st century,
the lines between traditional scientific disciplines are
becoming less distinct. Accomplished researchers must possess
more than an in-depth knowledge of one specific field -
they need a broad understanding of principles and techniques
from disciplines across the biomedical sciences.
Vanderbilt was one of the first institutions to respond
to the growing need for scientists with cross-disciplinary
training. Since 1992, graduate students have received a
comprehensive educational foundation for a successful career
in biomedical research through the Interdisciplinary Graduate
Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (IGP).
Students entering the IGP take two semesters of core coursework
and rotate through four laboratories of their choice. The
main goal of the IGP year is not to absorb vast quantities
of facts, but to learn how to be a creative and analytical
thinker who can gain information as needed from the scientific
literature. At the end of the IGP year, students select
a training program in one of the participating departments
or programs, which include Biochemistry,
Biological
Sciences, Cancer
Biology, Cell
& Developmental Biology, Chemical
and Physical Biology, Human
Genetics, Microbiology
& Immunology, Molecular
Physiology & Biophysics, Neuroscience,
Pathology,
and Pharmacology.
One of the greatest benefits of the IGP is the flexibility
it offers. New graduate students have nine months to explore
their interests in multiple areas before selecting a thesis
advisor. The comprehensive nature of the IGP training sometimes
leads students to explore departments they hadn’t
considered previously. Moreover, research faculty often
have appointments in more than one department, and students
can use the entire IGP year to determine which department
most suits their individual interests and career goals.
Curriculum
Coursework
During the IGP year, students take a two semester course,
Bioregulation, that surveys key biological processes and
principles. The first semester focuses on biological processes
within a cell, from macromolecular structure and function
to cell biology and the regulation of cell growth. During
the second semester, the focus shifts to emphasize cell-cell
communication and the flow of information through multicellular
organs. Areas of emphasis include immunologic defense, endocrine
signaling, neuroscience, and molecular aspects of disease.
Didactic lectures are supported by Flex Time and Methods
sections.
By using
recent scientific literature to illustrate general concepts
and principles, the IGP curriculum develops the students’
ability to read scientific literature critically and efficiently.
At the same time, Bioregulation provides sufficient breadth
across many areas of biomedical science to allow students
to pursue thesis research in areas they find the most fascinating.
Flex Time
Flex Time sessions are small group discussions that are
used to expand ideas and concepts raised during didactic
lectures. Typically, 8-10 students meet with faculty members
to discuss papers, experiments, techniques, and general
science survival skills. The small size of these groups
facilitates teaching and learning in a highly interactive
setting.
Methods
Methods sections meet on opposite days as Bioregulation
so that students can learn more about the cutting-edge techniques
employed in the primary research papers discussed during
lectures. Methods focuses primarily on the theory behind
the techniques, and sometimes involves hands-on demonstrations
of experimental procedures. Since IGP students have diverse
laboratory experiences, they can choose to attend only those
Methods sections that cover techniques with which they are
unfamiliar.
Electives
In the spring semester, students take elective courses as
they begin to extend their knowledge into a specialty area
of interest. These electives typically fulfill required
credit hours in the department that the student chooses
to join after their IGP year. For a current listing of courses
offered by each department, click on the departmental links
in the Program Overview section.
Responsible Conduct
of Research
In the early fall, students in the IGP attend a retreat
entitled “Responsible
Conduct of Research.” The two-day event is designed
to help scientists identify and deal with ethical issues
and dilemmas. Formal lectures, small group discussions and
study analyses address topics such as institutional and
NIH policies regarding scientifc misconduct and conflicts
of interest, ethical use of human and animal subjects in
research, and data management and intellectual property.
In addition, IGP students attend informational sessions
on preparing a CV and choosing a lab/mentor.
Laboratory
Research
A key element
of the IGP year is laboratory research, and every effort
is made to speed up the process of choosing a preceptor.
At the beginning
of the first year, students begin the first of four sequential
eight week rotations in the lab of their choice. Students
can sample different research areas and experience the excitement
of working in a particular laboratory. By May of the IGP
year, students will choose a mentor, enter one of the participating
departments, and begin their thesis research.
Contact Information
To learn more about the IGP, please contact
Michelle Grundy, PhD
Assistant Director, IGP
615-343-2573 or 800-810-8993
michelle.grundy@vanderbilt.edu.
