Research Rotations
Each student in the graduate program will participate in three research rotations, at least two of which will be in the laboratory of mentors other than the thesis directors. The purpose of the research rotation will be to train the students in research methodology in specific bioinformatics areas. At the end of the research rotation period, the student will submit a written report that will be evaluated by the faculty mentor in whose laboratory the project was carried out. The report will also be sent to the Qualifying Examination Committee who will take this into consideration in the assessment of the student for admission to candidacy.

Research Training
Students, upon completion of the appropriate course work, will be given research orientation lectures by the Bioinformatics program faculty. Each graduate student will participate in a research experience in the laboratory they select to carry out their research rotation. During this period students will become acquainted with scientific methodology for designing experiments, analyzing the results, organizing the data, conducting research in a responsible manner, preparing oral and poster presentations of research results, and writing scientific papers.

Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, graduate students will choose his/her research project from the many possibilities offered in the program and begin to work on a research problem with their faculty advisors. In consultation with their mentors, students will formulate the research activity that will lead to their dissertation. Graduate students will have the opportunity to do internships in the local bioinformatics/ biotechnology industry if the thesis project is of mutual interest to a corporate sponsor and the thesis advisors. The research program is designed with two key objectives in mind, a) first to provide a truly interdisciplinary research training at the interface area between biology and computer science and engineering and b) to address fundamentally strong research problems that will lead to the advancement of the field of bioinformatics. We anticipate that every graduating student will emerge as a highly trained Bioinformatician who can either pursue an academic career by choosing optimal postdoctoral research positions or enter the next generation biotechnology/biopharmaceutical industry.

It is our belief that active research under proper tutelage is the best means of training and that the foundations of a good graduate training program rest on an outstanding faculty group, an excellent student body and a strong and well-coordinated research program. Each of the faculty members in this program have expertise and interests that will contribute importantly to the Bioinformatics graduate program. Participating faculty have pooled their resources in terms of laboratories, and the knowledge and experience to ensure the success of the program. Through daily contact with faculty and other research colleagues, the students will learn to develop critical and creative thinking skills, scientific methodology and a sound knowledge of research problems.