Courses

The first year curriculum of the CBI Graduate Training Program is designed to provide a solid foundation in chemistry, biochemistry as well as cellular and molecular biology. This flexible curriculum includes selection of one core class from each of the three disciplines below in addition to three electives and three lab rotations.

Chemistry Core Courses (select one):

  • CHEM523  Synthetic Methods in Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM521  Chemical Biology
  • CHEM518  Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM554  Bio-inorganic Chemistry

Biochemistry/Biophysics Core Courses (select one):

  • CHEM592/593   Biochemical Rates & Mechanisms
  • MBB500    Biochemistry
  • MBB431    Illuminating Biomolecular Mechanism with Structure
  • MCDB630  Biochemical and Biophysical Approaches

Molecular and Cell Biology Core Courses (select one):

  • MCDB602  Molecular Cell Biology
  • MCDB560 Cellular & Molecular Physiology
  • MCDB570  Biotechnology
  • PHAR504  Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Action
  • MCDB530 Biology of the Immune System

Required Course.  All CBI Trainees must complete one course related to ethics and research.

  • CHEM590    Ethical Conduct & Scientific Research
  • MBB676     Responsible Conduct of Research
  • MCDB901   First Year Intro to Research

Chemical Biology Laboratory Rotations. Students perform 3 three month-long, research rotations during the first year. Rotations are selected immediately following the Fall Chemical Biology Retreat, where the faculty members and their students make seminar and poster presentations.

Elective Courses. The elective courses are included for trainees to choose certain areas in which they would like to expand their knowledge. Students are free to choose from over seventy-five available courses in the chemical, biochemical and biological sciences.

Teaching. Teaching is an important component of graduate education at Yale and all students in the life sciences and Chemistry at Yale serve as teaching assistants for two semesters usually in their second or third year of study.

Selecting a Department Affiliation and Mentor. At the end of the first year CBI students select their dissertation advisor. Most students choose advisors with a primary or joint appointment in the department that admitted them. In some instances, students may consider transferring to a new department at the end of their first year.