• Two (4-6 unit) lecture courses, to be completed in the first year of graduate school with no grade less than solid "B".
  
  Suggested Fall Quarter:CM253, Macromolecular Structure and Function
  CM248, Molecular Genetics
  Suggested Winter Quarter: M267A and B, Cell Structure, Signaling and Development
  M229, Cellular Biology of Host/Pathogen Interactions
  
• Five sections of the student seminar series Current Topics in Molecular Biology (Molecular Biology 298, 2 units, S/U grading basis) to be completed by the end of the second year of graduate school. Two different sections are offered each quarter, with changing topics and instructors. (NOTE: M267A may be applied towards two of the five 298 sections.)

• The Written Qualifying Examination (to be completed by the end of the second year of graduate school) takes the form of two original three-page research proposals: one based on a topic addressed in the 298 student seminar series (or the equivalent), and the second based on the student's own dissertation research project (the "dissertation proposal").
• The Oral Qualifying Examination (to be presented by the end of the second year of graduate school) includes preparation of a 10-15 page written research proposition and oral defense on a topic unrelated to the student's dissertation research.
• Midstream Seminars are presented to the student’s doctoral committee at the end of the third year. The student presents the merits and pitfalls of the experimental approach being taken, as well as future research plans. It is an opportunity for the committee to provide advice on the direction of the student’s research.
• The Final Oral Examination, or Thesis Defense, is presented as an open seminar by the end of the fourth year. The Final Written Dissertation is then filed for completion of the Ph.D. The dissertation defense must be presented prior to returning to medical school. The written dissertation must be filed within one quarter of the return to medical school.

• Students convene an initial three-member doctoral committee in Fall Quarter of their second year and meet briefly with that committee to discuss the proposed dissertation research project. This is termed the “Pre-Committee Meeting.” Just prior to the meeting, the student submits a “dissertation proposal” (see written qualifying examination above). Two additional doctoral committee members will be added by the end of Winter Quarter of the second year in preparation for the Oral Qualifying Exam in Spring.
• Intensive research will be conducted year-round on the student’s chosen dissertation project under the guidance of a permanent research mentor as the major portion of the student’s graduate training. Students actually enroll in individual research as a course each quarter.

• There is no teaching requirement for MSTP's in the MBIDP.

• Fall Quarter: Lecture Course 1 + Student Seminar 1
• Winter Quarter: Lecture Course 2 + 298 Student Seminar 2
• Spring Quarter:298 Student Seminar 3 + Written Research Proposal
  

Year 2

• Fall Quarter: 298 Student Seminar 4
  Convene initial 3-member (pre) Doctoral Committee
  Written Dissertation Proposal (submit to Doctoral Committee)
• Winter Quarter: 298 Student Seminar 5
  Meet with (pre) Doctoral Committee to discuss dissertation project
  Convene remaining 2 members of Doctoral Committee
• Spring Quarter: Submit Orals Proposal and Present Oral Qualifying Exam