Applicants are expected 1) to have a strong foundation in the basic sciences, such as biology, chemistry and mathematics, and 2) to have training in computing/informatics, including significant computer programming experience. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required, and the GRE Subject Test in cell & molecular biology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, or other relevant discipline is recommended. Alternatively, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) may be substituted for the GRE tests. Applicants for whom English is not their native language are required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
This section outlines the current CBB curriculum, and other requirements for the PhD degree. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, we anticipate that the students will be extremely heterogeneous in their background and training. As a result, a welcoming/advisory committee will help students individually tailor the curriculum to their background and interests. The emphasis will be on gaining competency in three broad "core areas":
Completion of the curriculum will typically take 4 semesters, depending in part on the prior training of the student. Since students may have very different prior training in biology and computing, the courses taken may vary considerably. In addition, students will spend a significant amount of time during this period doing intensive research rotations in faculty laboratories and attending relevant lectures and seminars. Specifically, we expect that all students will:
Students will typically take 2-3 courses each semester and 3 research rotations during the first year. After the first year, students will start working in the laboratory of their chosen PhD thesis supervisor. Students must pass a qualifying examination normally given at the end of the second year or the beginning of the third year. There is no language requirement. In addition to the curriculum outlined above, the program has also defined an initial set of guidelines for minimum expected competency in biology, computer science, statistics, and mathematics. Some students may have satisfied all of these areas prior to entering our program. Other students may need to take undergraduate or graduate courses at Yale to satisfy one or more of these specific areas. These guidelines are in evolution and may be refined over time as we get more experience with the program.
A Master's degree may be obtained by a CBB PhD student who is en route to obtaining a PhD degree or who leaves Yale prior to receiving a PhD degree. Requirements include: 1) completion of two years (four semesters) of study, 2) completion of required coursework (nine courses must be taken at Yale), and 3) successful completion of three research rotations.