I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the structure and requirements for research rotations for doctoral students enrolled in the New York Medical College (NYMC) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBMS).
II. POLICY
It is the policy of the NYMC GSBMS that students enrolled in the Integrated Ph.D. program (IPP) are required to complete three research rotations in three different laboratories. This experience is intended to provide a Ph.D. student with an insight into different approaches to scientific discovery and allow both the student and the Dissertation Advisor to reach an informed decision about where the student should conduct their dissertation research. Advanced Standing (AS) Ph.D. or MD-Ph.D. students are not required to complete research rotations and can join a laboratory to conduct dissertation research upon entering the doctoral program. Any exceptions to the required number, timeframe or duration of rotations will be reviewed on a case-to-case basis by the Academic Advisor, Ph.D. program director and/or Associate Dean for Ph.D. programs, and the Dean.
III. SCOPE
This policy applies to all GSBMS Ph.D. students, Academic and Rotation Advisors, Program Directors and Associate Dean of the Ph.D. programs, and the Dean.
IV. DEFINITIONS
A. IPP: Integrated Ph.D. Program
B. Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy Degree
C. Research rotation: time-limited placement of a Ph.D. student in a research laboratory that allows student to gain research experience, explore different scientific approaches, and identify Dissertation Advisor. This is a mandatory component of the IPP curriculum. Each rotation corresponds to the academic semester and lasts approximately three months (at least 15 weeks in Fall and Spring terms and 8 weeks in Summer). Precise start and end dates will be indicated each year on the Ph.D. Academic Calendar.
D. Rotation Advisor: A faculty member (must be a member of the NYMC GSBMS faculty with mentor status) hosting a rotating student in their laboratory (see the GSBMS Policy on Ph.D. Advisors and Advisory Committees).
V. PROCEDURES
A. IPP students are required to complete three research rotations (Fall, Winter, and Summer) in three different laboratories.
B. Selection of the laboratory for each research rotation should be made in consultation with the student’s Academic Advisor or the IPP Program Director.
1. The selection should be largely based on the potential ability of a Rotation Advisor to support the student’s dissertation research project.
2. Any level of uncertainty about this ability should be shared with the student before the research rotation begins.
C. Once research rotation selection is made, the student must submit the Research Rotation Preferences Form for each rotation to the GSBMS Dean’s office for review by the Dean by the deadline indicated on the Academic Calendar for Ph.D. students.
D. The Rotation Advisor for first-year IPP students is expected to guide the student’s research activities, assign reading of relevant research literature, and provide constructive feedback and honest assessment both to the student and to the Academic Advisor. Accepting a research rotation student does not obligate the faculty member to accept that student as a dissertation student.
E. In the beginning of each rotation, the student and the Rotation Advisor must prepare in writing a List of Rotation Objectives which outlines specific and measurable objectives and expectations for the rotation.
1. The list should be countersigned by both the student and the Rotation Advisor and submitted to the GSBMS Dean’s office by the student one week after the posted start date of the rotation.
2. These objectives may be modified during the course of the rotation if, for example, there is a change in the direction of the planned research project.
F. Students are expected to spend about 15-20 hours per week in the laboratory.
1. Effort may vary based on exam schedules, holidays, etc.
2. Students should be expected to spend more time on rotation activities during the summer rotation.
3. The student and the Rotation Advisor should discuss the amount of effort that is expected in advance.
4. Students should be given sufficient time during the rotation to succeed in their academic courses.
5. It is understandable that the amount of time assigned to each rotation could be insufficient to complete an independent research project. Thus, a student can be assigned to assist with ongoing projects.
G. During rotations, students should attend the journal clubs and research seminars of the department in which they are conducting their rotation but should not enroll in any “Journal Club” course. Students should be allowed and encouraged to attend additional seminars in other departments on topics related to their rotation or of personal interest to them.
H. Upon completion of each research rotation:
1. students are required to submit a 1-page Rotation Summary Abstract, summarizing the research project they participated in, to the GSBMS Dean’s office. Prior to the submission, the abstract should be reviewed by the Rotation Advisor.
2. each Rotation Advisor should submit a Faculty Evaluation of Student Rotation Form with a brief written report on the student’s performance to the GSBMS Dean’s office. A copy of the completed form should also be forwarded to the student and their Academic Advisor.
I. Each rotation course will be graded on a pass/fail basis and will not contribute to the student’s GPA
J. The research rotations should be completed during the first year of Ph.D. curriculum.
1. However, in rare cases, IPP students may choose to postpone their third rotation until later in the program.
2. Such flexibility will allow these students to tailor their rotation experience and learn a technique applicable to their dissertation research.
K. A student may make a request to switch the rotation laboratory during the drop-add period (the first two weeks of each rotation).
L. Students who wish to request any modifications to the rotations must submit a Research Rotation Modification Request, which must be reviewed on a case-to-case basis by the Academic Advisor and/or IPP Program Director and have to be approved by the Dean.
M. The maximum number of rotations for IPP students should not exceed four rotations. The inability of a student to identify a laboratory to join for their dissertation research after the fourth rotation may serve as grounds for dismissal from the doctoral program.
V. EFFECTIVE DATE
This policy is effective immediately.
VI. POLICY MANAGEMENT
Executive Stakeholder: Dean, Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences
Oversight Office: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dean’s Office
