The Duke-NUS PhD programme in Integrated Biology and Medicine provides training in translational bioscience, covering a broad spectrum of disciplines including cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, and health policy. During the first semester students complete a core course entitled “Molecules to Medicines” where they learn fundamentals in biomedical research, while simultaneously conducting three laboratory rotations. Subsequently, students choose a thesis mentor and complete their advanced training in one of five specialty tracks:
The degree, which will take on average 4 to 5 years to complete, culminates with the development of a written thesis and a successful oral dissertation defense. Students are strongly encouraged to publish a first-author research paper before graduating.
The PhD core course incorporates a novel education strategy which rapidly transitions students to a mode of learning better suited for a lifelong career in biomedical research. From the first week in the program, students are introduced to scientific literature searches, evaluation and critique of seminal scientific papers. The latest technologies such as single cell sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, molecular imaging, and bioinformatics are discussed. The core curriculum is delivered in a small group collaborative learning environment that reinforces critical thinking and public debate. An overview of the curriculum follows.
Year 1 – Required Coursework And Lab Rotations
All PhD candidates participate in the 15-week core course called “Molecules to Medicines” during their first semester of the PhD programme. This course introduces students to translational research, and provides training on experimental models, methods and mechanisms that drive current investigations into human disease. Scientific ethics training is woven throughout the course. This course is taught by a range of Duke-NUS faculty and staff who introduce their expertise to the students. This is not a lecture course, but an interactive learning course that requires significant preparation and participation.
Students will also conduct three 6-week lab rotations from among the Duke-NUS Signature Research Programs. Mentors for the rotations must be regular ranked faculty and be on the approved mentor list. These rotations are structured to provide students with first hand exposure to the labs where they may choose to conduct their PhD research. At the end of the rotations, students will be asked to commit to a thesis mentor and a specialty discipline.
During the second semester, students continue with coursework and begin their primary research. Students will begin participating in the weekly Student Research Seminar which fosters the development and improvement of communication skills, evaluation of scientific literature and the sharing of individual research progress.
Importantly, all PhD students will also assemble a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of the thesis mentor and several faculty members. The TAC will provide essential support and guidance to each student to enable a successful journey through the PhD programme. As such the TAC will meet every 6 months from the end of Year 1.
Year 2 – Developing A Thesis And Qualifying Exam
At the start of the second year, students will work toward developing their thesis projects. Students may or may not continue with formal coursework, however, all PhD candidates are expected to actively participate in Duke-NUS research seminars and journal clubs sponsored by their Signature Research Programmes. These seminars provide students with a forum to give oral presentations, evaluate literature, analyze competitive science, and share ideas on major breakthroughs and future directions for their research field. This activity provides a critical foundation for a career in translational research.
In the second half of year 2, all PhD students take the preliminary qualifying exam (PQE). Successful students will defend a mock grant proposal, providing the faculty with the opportunity to evaluate their fundamental knowledge and ability to pursue hypothesis-based research. The aim is to evaluate the students’ ability to articulate a clear hypothesis, demonstrate deep familiarity with the relevant literature, design critical experiments and interpret the results.
Years 3 & 4 – Research And PhD Thesis
After the PQE, the remainder of the PhD training consists of the execution of the thesis project and regular participation in Research Seminars and Journal Clubs. The thesis mentor as well as the TAC are important to students’ successful journey through the programme. Success of the thesis will be judged by the publication or anticipated publication of at least one high quality first author paper, with the emphasis being on quality.