General Information

• The Cell and Developmental Biology program has an “on-topic” comprehensive exam, consisting of two parts: 
  
  Written research proposal in the area of predicted future thesis work (12 double-spaced pages, in the format of an NIH predoctoral fellowship (F31) application.) 
  
  Oral defense of proposal (2-3 hours)

Eligibility

• Student must be in good academic standing (minimum GPA = 3.0)
• Student must have completed first and second year courses before taking the exam

Deadlines

• Form a thesis/exam committee—early spring semester of second year
• Submit formal Abstract and Specific Aims for proposed work and Request for Comprehensive Examination Form—end of spring semester of second year
• Submit written research proposal and assurance form—summer following second year
• Take oral examination of research proposal—summer following second year
• Satisfactory completion of comprehensive exam—not later than end of fall semester of third year

Exam committee

• No fewer than four (4) members of the Graduate Faculty
• At least three (3) graduate faculty must be University of Iowa tenure-track faculty and
• At least two (2) of the faculty members must hold an appointment in CDB and must be University of Iowa tenure-track faculty
• Note: This committee will become the student’s thesis committee, following replacement of the exam committee chairperson with the thesis advisor.