The Northwestern Predoctoral Biotechnology Training Program is an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental program which provides select graduate students (Trainees) greater research and training opportunities than those available through the individual departments. It promotes interdisciplinary education in biotechnology, interactions among faculty and students with interests in biotechnology, and provides a substantial exposure of students to industrial biotechnology research. Students trained through this program are prepared to enter the biotechnology industry or pursue academic and governmental biotechnology research.

The novel aspects of this program include:

  • An interdisciplinary education,
  • Close collaborative efforts among participating faculty and students from various disciplines,
  • Substantial exposure to industrial biotechnology through industrial biotechnology internships,
  • Access to a variety of advanced topic and specialized courses,
  • The Biotechnology Research Club seminars,
  • A large variety of seminars and colloquia on various aspects of biotechnology.
  • Furthermore, trainees may get exposure to several research laboratories through short-term residences or rotations.

Choice of Research Advisor and Laboratory Rotations
Trainees enrolled in the various Departmental PhD Programs follow the schedule of their departments and programs for laboratory rotations and thesis adviser selection during their first year. Trainees are strongly encouraged to pursue research rotations in any of the participating departments before selecting a thesis adviser. Laboratory rotations even after the choice of a thesis advisor are highly encouraged, in order to expose the students to the research environment of more than one or two laboratories.

Key Features and Requirements of the Training Program

  1. Core course requirements as detailed below
  2. 3-6 month Internships in an industrial biotechnology laboratory, and on-campus presentations by industrial scientists provide the industrial perspective for the Program
  3. Ph.D requirements in the Department or Unit chosen by the trainee
  4. Participation in the Biotechnology Research Club
  5. Other related seminars /colloquia series
  6. Participation in the annual IBiS 2-day retreat

(i) Course Requirements
Trainees may have taken previously or take during their graduate training the following courses which cover core subjects of modern biology & biotechnology. Please see our Course Planner for details:

  • Biochemistry (Biol Sci 309, IBiS 405)
  • Ethics in Biological Research (IBiS 423)
  • Molecular Biology (Biol Sci 390 or IBiS 402)
  • Advances in Biotechnology (ChBE 478)
  • Plus 3 Biotech Electives
    TOTAL: 7 core courses

(ii) Industrial Internships
Three- to 6-month industrial internships offer the students the opportunity to obtain a first-hand experience of applied biotechnology research in a selected industrial laboratory. Several biotechnology companies in the Chicago area and elsewhere offer such opportunities to trainees.
[ more information ]

(iii) Ph.D requirements in the Department or Unit chosen by the trainee
Each trainee must meet the PhD degree requirements of her/his chosen department or Unit, in addition to the requirements of this Training program.
[ more information ]

(iv, v) Biotechnology Research Club; Seminars
Research seminars on the various aspects of biotechnology is a key graduate training experience, especially in a field as interdisciplinary as biotechnology. A monthly held Biotechnology Research Club is an opportunity for both trainees and faculty to present their research. Furthermore, 2-3 Biotechnology seminars, mostly during the summer, emphasize visits by prominent researchers from biotechnology companies. Trainees also attend seminars in several departments.
[ more information ]

(vi) Annual IBiS Retreat
This 2-day retreat has as its objectives to further promote interactions of the faculty, staff and students of the IBiS program. The retreat brings together students and faculty for two days of informal seminars, discussions and poster presentations.
[ more information ]

 

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