In your second year as an MCB student you will:
- Conduct research in your dissertation lab
- Complete elective courses (18 graded credits requirement)
- Form your Supervisory Committee
- Formulate your Individual Development Plan (IDP)
- Hold an Annual Committee Meeting
- Submit your Annual Committee Meeting Report and IDP to MCB
- Complete your Biomedical Research Integrity training
- Schedule your General Exam
Quarterly Milestones
Across all quarters (Autumn, Winter, Spring), you will:
- Conduct research – Register for MCB 600: Independent Study and Research (variable credits: 1-9, Entry code: Faculty Advisor)
- Take elective courses – 3-5 graded credits recommended (Review Area of Interest Suggested Curriculum listings)
- Complete Teaching Requirements – MCB will register you for MCB 580: Teaching Practicum in Molecular and Cellular Biology (non-graded credits: 2, mandatory course under MCB Curriculum). For Academic TAships, credits are taken in the same quarter as TAship. For Community Outreach TAships, credits are taken after completing TAship.
Every quarters credit total should be 10 (except Summer).
The following are quarter-specific tasks and milestones:
| Quarter | Task/Milestone |
| Winter | Form Supervisory Committee (by last day of quarter) |
| Winter | Meet with Advisor to Formulate IDP |
| Spring | Meet with Supervisory Committee (by last day of quarter) and fill out Annual Committee Report |
| Spring | Submit Annual Committee Report and IDP to MCB office (by last day of quarter) |
| Summer | Register for MCB 600: Independent Study or Research (variable credits: 2) with Entry Code from Faculty Advisor
OR Register for UNCONJ 510: Introductory Laboratory Based Biostatistics (graded credits: 2) with Entry Code from Dissertation Lab Department Summer Quarter credit total: 2 |
| Summer | Schedule General Exam (by last day of quarter) |
| Summer | Complete Biomedical Research Integrity Seminar Series – 8 hours of training (by last day of quarter) |
| Summer | Complete Outreach TAship [If applicable] |
Individual Development Plan (IDP)
The IDP is a living document to help define and pursue short- and long-term career goals. The NIH requires all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows supported on an NIH grant to complete an IDP and this requirement ensures all NIH-supported MCB students are compliant. Also, many MCB students will not follow an academic career path and the IDP helps provide training to prepare for diverse career paths.
We hope the IDP will encourage open, honest and supportive discussions between graduate students and mentors and will enable students to identify possible career options and to develop the skills needed for future success.
MCB IDP Template (Word document download)
Teaching Requirements
Experience in teaching is a central component of the MCB program. All MCB students are required to complete two TAships during Year 2.
Academic vs. Community Outreach TAships
Academic TAs teach undergraduates.
Community Outreach TAs communicate science outside of an undergraduate setting. Past Outreach TAships have worked with high school students, secondary-school science teachers and the general public in programs outside UW.
A list of offered TAships (Academic and Community Outreach) will be available in Winter Quarter.
Special Requirements
MSTP students only need to complete one academic TAship during Year 2.
International students must demonstrate English proficiency before beginning TAships.
| Task | Deadline |
| Select 2 TAships ~ Option 1: 2 Academic TAships ~ Option 2: 1 Academic TAship AND 1 Community Outreach TAship |
April of Year 1 |
| Attend required pedagogy training | September of Year 2 |
| Teaching Credits MCB will register you for MCB 580: Teaching Practicum (mandatory course under MCB Curriculum) |
Academic TA: Credits received the same quarter as TAship Community Outreach TAs: Credits received the quarter after completing TAship |