• PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• ADVISING AND SELECTION OF A DISSERTATION RESEARCH MENTOR
• CURRICULUM AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
• FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:  Under the auspices of the UCLA Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program (MBIDP), the Whitcome Fellowship Program invites applications from students whose academic accomplishments and research experience indicate a strong potential for scholarly achievement. Applicants with diverse undergraduate preparation in fields such as biochemistry, systems biology, molecular biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics are welcome to apply, providing they have exhibited a high level of academic proficiency. In addition, evidence of a strong aptitude for scientific research via previous immersion in a research project for an extended period of time (usually at least one year) is an important attribute of the successful applicant. 
RESEARCH EMPHASES: Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Gene Regulation, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Genomics, Bioinformatics

ADVISING AND SELECTION OF A DISSERTATION RESEARCH MENTOR:  The interdisciplinary structure of the Whitcome Fellowship Program provides the opportunity for graduate training that fosters collegiality and facilitates development of new research activities spanning traditional department boundaries. The emphasis is on participation in groundbreaking hypothesis-driven dissertation research. Whitcome Fellows have wide latitude in choosing a dissertation research mentor from among the diverse and distinguished faculty membership of the MBIDP. Prior to arrival at UCLA, Fellows are encouraged to identify faculty members conducting research in their field of interest by consulting the extensive information available on the MBIDP web site and by contacting faculty members directly. After arrival at UCLA, Fellows will receive additional guidance and information about faculty research interests through meetings with the Whitcome Fellowship Advisory committee and other MBIDP faculty, through the yearly fall-quarter MBIDP Lake Arrowhead retreat, and through additional activities sponsored by the UCLA Divisions of Life Sciences and Physical Sciences and the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Students may arrange one or more 5-10 week research rotations in the laboratories of prospective research mentors, although such rotations are not required. Selection of a research mentor occurs by the end of the second quarter in the program (approximately April 1). After selecting a research mentor, Fellows meet with a faculty advising committee consisting of the research mentor plus two other experts in the Fellow’s research field to obtain advice on curriculum and research goals. Prior to presentation of the oral qualifying examination (see section below entitled Additional Degree Requirements), an additional two faculty members are added to the committee. This five-member doctoral committee advises the student throughout the remainder of graduate study.

CURRICULUM AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:  As mentioned above, the emphasis of the Program is research, and therefore no formal lecture courses are required of Whitcome Fellows. However, in consultation with faculty advisors, Fellows may elect lecture courses in fields of interest, or as required to provide necessary background knowledge in the Fellow’s dissertation research field. During the graduate training program, Fellows will complete a total of four seminar courses that emphasize critical analysis of peer-reviewed literature. At least two of these seminars must be completed in the first year, prior to advancement to candidacy. A course on Research Integrity must also be completed in the first year. To fulfill the written qualifying examination requirement, in their first year students will prepare two brief three-page (12,000 characters) research proposals based on topics covered in the student seminars and a 10-page (40,000 characters) proposal based on the Fellow’s dissertation research project. The proposals will provide students with the opportunity to improve their writing skills and gain experience in critical analysis and experimental design. Although there is no teaching requirement, students are strongly encouraged to serve as teaching assistants in lecture or laboratory courses offered by departments in the UCLA College.  The target time to degree is four years (see schedule below).

The Oral Qualifying Examination, to be presented during the second year of study, includes preparation of a 10-page written research proposition and an oral defense on a topic unrelated to the student's dissertation research. However, the committee is expected also to devote some time during the oral examination to discuss the Fellow’s dissertation research project. A meeting with the doctoral committee will take place during the third year of study to review the progress of the dissertation project. A final oral defense of the dissertation will be presented at the end of the fourth year of study.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Whitcome Fellows receive a support package that includes a generous annual stipend and full registration fees. In addition, we offer Fellows instructional enhancement funds annually to attend conferences or learn specialized experimental techniques through short laboratory courses. Sources of stipend support are the Whitcome Fellowship Endowment, institutional extramural training grants, and/or mentor research funds. Students are also encouraged to apply for independent extramural funding from agencies such as the NIH or NSF, although the support package is not contingent upon independent extramural funding. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are expected to establish California residency by the end of their first year of graduate study. For international students, non-resident tuition is provided as long as the student meets degree requirements in a timely manner.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES: Admission is limited to Fall Quarter. Applications are submitted via the UCLA Graduate Division’s online application . International students whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL.  The institution code for UCLA is 4837. The GRE code for UCLA Molecular Biology is 0206. The TOEFL code is 30 or 74 (either one will send the record to UCLA Molecular Biology).  Complete applications consist of the following materials:

1. the application form
2. official transcripts of grades
3. three letters of recommendation
4. general test GRE scores; subject test (biochemistry, chemistry, biology or physics)
5. statement of purpose discussing specific research interests and potential mentor(s)
6. MBIDP student application (available from MBIDP Graduate Office)
7. MBIDP faculty application (available from MBIDP Graduate Office)

The Whitcome Fellowship Program applications will be reviewed by the governing committee of the MBIDP.

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