Flex Option for Graduate Students in Biomedical Sciences

Designed for students who want to explore research opportunities across departments prior to selecting a specific program or area of research

We are looking for highly competitive students to take advantage of this new opportunity. Successful Applicants will be invited to visit the college at our expense, to participate in the interview process. Those who do not receive a position in the class may be considered for a position in one of the other doctoral programs in biomedical sciences at the College of Medicine.

Students who gain acceptance into graduate study via the Flex Option will join the doctoral program of their choice in their second year. It is understood that acceptance of any student into the Flex Option guarantees acceptance of that student into any of the Ph.D. programs in the College of Medicine. (M.S. and M.D./Ph.D. programs are not available to Flex students).

A limited number of applicants will be selected for this competitive program each year. Students receive an annual stipend, full tuition and fees, and health insurance, consistent with other doctoral students at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The annual stipend for incoming students in Fall 2007 is $22,000, which is highly competitive with those offered by similar programs in the region.

Curriculum

Dr. Robert Highsmith, Sr. Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Research and Graduate Education, and VP for Research at the University of Cincinnati, is the academic advisor for Flex students. Each student will perform a series of lab rotations in the first year in order to 1) narrow the field of research interest and 2) identify a graduate program and thesis advisor.

Each student will be advised in course selection based on his or her program interest and course requirements, consistent with the lab rotations selected and area(s) of research interest.

Students admitted to the Fall quarter are expected to start laboratory rotations during the preceding summer. This will introduce the student to the research areas available so he or she will be ready to focus on core courses in the Fall Quarter. The student should be able to complete 2-3 lab rotations during the Summer Quarter. By the end of the first year of study, as a student prepares to enter a program, he or she will be referred to potential mentors in the appropriate department. Graduate Programs are listed at: www.med.uc.edu/graded/gradprograms.cfm.

First Year Course Work

Elective Courses are listed at: www.uc.edu/courses/medicine.pdf*

For more information, please contact:

Laura Hildreth, Assistant Dean
Office of Research and Graduate Education
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
P.O. Box 670555
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0555
(513) 558-6791
Email: hildrele@uc.edu

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