Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program

The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) Program at Iowa State University is an interdepartmental graduate major offering outstanding opportunities for graduate study.  The BCB program involves 70 nationally and internationally known faculty – biologists, computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, physicists and statisticians – who participate in a wide range of collaborative projects.

The BCB program emphasizes interdisciplinary research in seven related areas of focus:

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Functional and Structural Genomics
• Genome Evolution
• Macromolecular Structure and Function
• Mathematical Biology and Biological Statistics
• Metabolic and Developmental Networks

BCB students are trained to develop an independent and creative approach to science through an interdisciplinary curriculum and thesis research projects that include both biological and computational/mathematical components. First year students are appointed as research assistants and have the opportunity do research exploration rotations in various laboratories to gain experience in both "wet" and "dry" lab environments before selecting the laboratory in which to do their graduate research. In the second year, students initiate a thesis research project under the guidance of two faculty mentors, one from the biological sciences and one from the quantitative/computational sciences.  BCB students are encouraged to participate in internships with academic or industrial partners during their degree program.  The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are usually completed in two and five years, respectively.

General information about the BCB program is available on our website at www.bcb.iastate.edu.   This site also provides links to a directory of BCB faculty and their research interests as well as links to homepages for individual faculty and research groups.

Administration and Contact Information

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program activities are overseen by the Chair, Supervisory Committee, and Program Assistant.   Please contact us if you have any questions about the program.

To help in the orientation process, new students should:

• Read this handbook.  It is especially important to read the section on Administrative Matters during your first few days.  Email is the BCB program's most important means of communication, so students should register for email as soon as possible, and then check it daily.
• Obtain the following references and examine them carefully.  They contain information about University regulations and requirements for graduation.  Several of these documents are included with the BCB Graduate Student Orientation Notebook.
  • ISU Graduate Student Orientation Handbook
    Included in the BCB Graduate Student Orientation Notebook
  • Orientation Handbook for International Students
    www.public.iastate.edu/~internat_info/homepage.html
    This handbook is prepared by the International Education Services Office
  • Graduate College Handbook
    www.grad-college.iastate.edu/degree/graduatecollegehandbook.html
    Department offices also have copies available for student reference.
  • Graduate Thesis Manual
    www.grad-college.iastate.edu/degree/thesisrequirements.html

    Iowa State Graduate College forms are available online at:   www.grad-college.iastate.edu/deadline/formss.html

    Additional Iowa State University forms are available online at:   www.adp.iastate.edu/forms.html

• Other useful references include:
  • ISU General Catalog
    www.iastate.edu/~catalog/
    Copies will be available at BCB orientation. Catalogs also are available from the ISU Admissions Office, 100 Alumni Hall.
  • Schedule of Classes
    www.adp.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/class
    Schedule booklets are issued for each semester and can be purchased at the University Bookstore, Memorial Union.

    
    https://accessplus.iastate.edu/frontdoor/login.jsp
    Iowa State University’s AccessPlus is a personalized secure university information resource that provides on-demand accessibility to your confidential information.  Menu options for students include:

    • Address Change
    • Current Student Information
    • Dining Services
    • Financial Aid Information
    • Grades and Transcripts
    • Long Distance Code
    • Register for Classes
    • Residence Hall Information
    • Tax Information
    • University Bill
    • View Class Schedule
    • Web-based Training
  • Iowa State University Phone/Email Directory
    www.adp.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/phf
    The University phone directory is updated each Fall; copies can be purchased at the University Bookstore, Memorial Union. The directory includes a two–year calendar of academic dates and deadlines.  The online directory is updated regularly throughout the year.
  • The Iowa State University homepage is at www.iastate.edu/

Graduate Student Orientation

For new graduate students, the academic year begins with a Graduate Student Orientation Week designed to ease the transition to graduate study at Iowa State.  This is a time to become acquainted with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) program and its members and to prepare for registration and the start of classes.  In addition to participating in the BCB orientation events, students also will take part in orientation activities offered by the Graduate College and International Education Services.   Students should refer to all schedules for information about Orientation activities.

New BCB students are admitted to the program in one of two categories:

• First year students admitted to BCB for research exploration rotations

  New students admitted into BCB are supported during the first year on a BCB research assistantship or an NSF/USDA fellowship.   They spend the first year taking classes, doing research exploration rotations, and choosing a major and co-major professor.   A temporary advisor helps new students arrange rotations and choose courses to fulfill the BCB program requirements.  New students do not have a "home department" until after they complete their rotations and choose a major professor, usually before the end of their second semester on campus.  The student’s home department is the same as that of his/her major professor.

• Current ISU students admitted to BCB as "transfers," "co–majors" or "concurrent degree candidates"

  Students admitted to BCB as transfers from other ISU departments or programs, or as co–majors or concurrent degree candidates, are usually supported by their major professor and/or home department.  They spend their first year as BCB majors initiating an interdisciplinary research project, taking classes, and choosing a co-major professor.  The major professor helps the student choose courses to fulfill the BCB program requirements.  The student’s home department is the same as that of his/her major professor.  In most cases, the sections of the BCB Graduate Handbook dealing with temporary advisors, research exploration rotations and choosing a major professor do not apply to these students.

Assignment of a Temporary Advisor

Each new BCB student is assigned a temporary advisor who is usually a member of the BCB Supervisory Committee.  Temporary advisors guide students in selecting courses during the first year, discuss research opportunities in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and suggest research groups/laboratories for research exploration rotations.

When a student is admitted to BCB as a transfer, co-major, or concurrent degree candidate, the major professor serves as advisor.

Registration for Classes

During Graduate Student Orientation week, students meet with their temporary advisors or major professors for counseling and preparation of class schedules for the upcoming semester.  The schedule is prepared on anISU Registration Worksheet, which must be taken to the Registrar's Office in Alumni Hall (room 10) after approval by the temporary advisor.  Registration Worksheets are provided to new students during Orientation, and also are available from the BCB program office or from advisors.  After initial registration, course adds and drops, section changes and credit changes  can be made on    until the end of the first week of classes.  After the first week, all changes must be submitted on a Request for Schedule Change or Restriction Waiver form (better known as an Add/Drop Slip), which also is available from the BCB program office or from advisors.

After Fall semester, students can register for future semesters through   after meeting with their advisor to plan their schedule and obtain their registration access number.

Registration for Classes

An important aspect of the BCB training program is participation in Research Exploration Rotations.  The rotations serve several purposes.  They are designed to help students choose their future major professors and to help professors choose graduate students.  In addition, exploration rotations provide students an opportunity to actively participate in research projects of BCB faculty laboratories and promote interaction and exchange of information among BCB research groups.  Because rotations are necessarily brief, students are not usually able to "complete" a project, in either a biological or computational research group.Instead, during the research exploration rotation period, students should:

• get to know the professor and the students and postdocs working in the research group;
• learn as much as possible about the professor’s research projects;
• obtain "hands on" experience in one of the group's research projects;
• attend research group meetings and journal club meetings; and
• read reprints, reviews, and grant proposals related to the group's research.

It is appropriate for a rotating student to ask the rotation advisor whether the advisor would consider accepting him/her as a graduate student, but the final decision should not be made until all rotations have been completed.

Participation in research exploration rotations is required for all first year BCB students:  three rotations for Ph.D. students and two rotations for M.S students.  At least one rotation must be a "wet" laboratory experience (usually in a biological science laboratory using molecular biological, biophysical or biochemical techniques).  At least one rotation must involve a strong computational component (usually in a research group in computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics or engineering).  Students are strongly encouraged to participate in rotations in at least two different departments.

Beginning in Orientation Week and during the BCB Fall Faculty Seminar Series (BCB 691), students will have an opportunity to meet individual faculty members and discuss their research.  Students should arrange appointments for additional conferences with the professors whose work interests them most.

Students should make use of the following resources in selecting research groups and professors with whom to rotate:

• the list of BCB faculty who have expressed an interest in serving as mentors for research exploration rotation students, available on the BCB website and from the BCB program office;
• homepages of individual BCB faculty (see BCB website);
• discussions with individual faculty members. (This is very important.)  Faculty can provide curriculum vitae, recent publications and grant proposals;
• research talks given by faculty in the BCB Fall Faculty Seminar Series and in the various departmental seminars on campus;
• discussions with current BCB graduate students.

Students should compile a list of several BCB faculty with whom they would like to rotate; this can be done in consultation with the temporary advisor.  Students should personally contact the faculty members to determine whether they are accepting rotation students and to schedule a rotation.

To assist both faculty and students in planning, students should attempt to schedule exploration rotations and submit a completed BCB Research Exploration Rotation Planning Form to the BCB office as early as possible.  The deadline for submitting the Rotation Planning form in Fall semester is September 8.  Typically, the length of each rotation is approximately eight weeks for Ph.D. students, and about six weeks for M.S. students.  Adherence to the following timetable is strongly recommended.  It is critical that students choose a major professor and notify the BCB office of their choice on or before the deadlines indicated.

If a student realizes within the first two weeks of a rotation exploration that the rotation experience is not in an area of research he or she wishes to pursue, the student should consult with the temporary advisor.  The temporary advisor will assist the student in scheduling another exploration rotation if assistance is needed.

Students obtain graduate credit for research exploration rotations by registering for BCB 697 – BCB Research Rotations for two semesters (Ph.D. students) or one semester (M.S. students).  Rotation students usually register for two to five credits of BCB 697 per semester.  The number of BCB 697 – Research Rotation credits is determined by the number of course credits for which the student is registered.  All BCB graduate students should register for a total of 12 credit hours each Spring and Fall semester and a total of 6 credit hours each Summer semester.   Although research will be conducted during the exploration rotations, completion of a project is not required.   However, many faculty will use research productivity as one measure by which they determine whether to offer a student the opportunity to join their laboratory.  It is therefore important to allow sufficient time in your schedule to actively engage in the intellectual activities of your host lab.

Choosing a Major Professor

Much of the first year will be devoted to the important process of selecting a major professor.  After completing research exploration rotations, students should contact their potential major professors to discuss the possibility of joining their laboratories.  First–year BCB students must choose a major professor and notify the BCB program office of their choice by April 1 (Ph.D.) or by December 1 (M.S.).

NOTE:

• Students should not feel pressured to make a final decision about their future major professor until after all exploration rotations have been completed.  BCB faculty are strongly encouraged to wait until new BCB students have had an opportunity to complete all scheduled rotations before making a commitment to any specific student.  It is in the student’s best interest to reserve a final decision until becoming fully informed about all available opportunities.
• It is important for students to discuss their future graduate assistantship support with potential major professors.   During the exploration rotation period, BCB students are usually supported as Research Assistants (RAs) with funds provided by the BCB program or NSF/USDA fellowships.  Typically, Ph.D. students receive 12 to 24 months and M.S. students receive up to 6 months of guaranteed assistantship support.  After a student has chosen a major professor, responsibility for the student’s assistantship funding lies with the major professor and home department.  (For administrative purposes, the major professor’s department becomes the student’s home department.)

  When a BCB faculty member agrees to serve as a student’s major professor, the faculty member is expected to arrange assistantship support for the remainder of the student’s degree program, as long as the student remains in good standing and is making good progress toward the degree.  Very few professors are able to "guarantee" a specific source of graduate assistantship support for several years.  It is important, therefore, for each student to take an active role in discussing future assistantship funding with the major professor.  Most students receive support as either a Research Assistant (RA) or a Teaching Assistant (TA), with funding supplied by the major professor and/or the home department.  In some cases, students receive support from other sources, such as scholarships, training grants, or competitive research assistantships.

Establishing a Home Department

For administrative purposes, the major professor’s department becomes the student’s Home Department.  After choosing a major professor, students must initiate a Request to Establish a Home Department for Students Admitted to Interdepartmental Majors form and submit it to the BCB administrative office.  All BCB students should have filed their Home Department forms by April 15 (Ph.D.) or December 15 (M.S.).

On the Home Department form, in Section II, after "Comments," the major professor must note his or her agreement to accept the student and to arrange or provide funding.  The major professor should then sign the "Major Professor" line.

Choosing a Co–Major Professor

The major professor will assist the student in choosing an appropriate co-major professor.  BCB requires that the major and co–major professor (one from the biological sciences and one from the computational/quantitative sciences) actively serve as joint mentors for the student.   The co–major professor must be chosen prior to filing the Committee Appointment form.

The co–major professor plays an integral role in the mentoring of BCB students.  Oftentimes, major and co–major professors have active research collaborations, and BCB PhD projects emerge from these joint research efforts.  If this is not the case, it is still expected that the co–major professor will meet regularly with the BCB student to help guide their dissertation research.  The selection of a co–major professor, therefore, is an important decision and should be given careful consideration.  Co–major professors typically do not provide assistantship funding.

Appointing a Program of Study (POS) Committee

After choosing the major and co–major professors and establishing a home department, students should begin planning a suitable program for completion of the BCB graduate coursework.  Before the end of the first year, students should appoint a graduate Program of Study (POS) Committee by filing a Recommendation for Committee Appointment form.  The composition and responsibilities of the POS committee are in accordance with the Graduate College guidelines (see below).

The POS committee should include faculty whose knowledge and research interests can aid and complement the student’s research interests, as well as faculty whose expertise will ensure a breadth of knowledge on the committee.  For Ph.D. candidates, the POS committee must consist of at least five members of the Graduate College Faculty.  The committee must have at least three faculty members – including the major professor and co-major professor – from within the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology major (i.e., who are members of the BCB faculty).  One member of the committee must be either outside the major (not a BCB faculty member) or outside the student’s home department.

For M.S candidates, the POS committee must consist of at least three members of the Graduate College Faculty.  Both the major and co–major professors must be members of the BCB faculty.  One member of the committee must be either outside the major (not a BCB faculty member) or outside the student’s home department.

Concurrent degree candidates, both M.S. and Ph.D., must meet the standard committee requirements for their Ph.D. or M.S. degree, as stated above.

Special rules govern the composition of the POS committee for students seeking a co–major degree in BCB:

• For students seeking a BCB Ph.D.co–major, both the major and co-major professors must be members of the BCB faculty, with one professor affiliated with the department of the student’s second major.  The third member must be a BCB faculty member, and the fourth must be a faculty member of the student’s second major.  The fifth member can be outside both majors or in one of the two major departments or programs.

• For students seeking a BCB M.S. co-major, both the major and co–major professors must be members of the BCB faculty, with one professor affiliated with the department of the student’s second co–major.  The third member can be outside both majors or in one of the two major department or program.

After the chosen members of the POS committee have agreed to serve, students should complete the Recommendation for Committee Appointment form, obtain signatures of committee members, and submit the form to the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program office for approval.   "Bioinformatics and Computational Biology" should be listed as "Major" home department (major professor’s department) should be listed as "Department."

BCB Program Requirements Checklist

Students are required to use the BCB Program Requirements Checklist (see the Forms section at the back of this handbook) to track progress toward meeting BCB program requirements.  An updated version of this checklist should be brought to each semester's schedule planning session with your advisor and to the BCB Annual Review interviews with the BCB program chair.  Continued membership in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program and financial support is contingent upon satisfactory progress towards the degree.   The BCB Program Requirements Checklist is one of the most important tools used by the program staff and BCB Chair to track student progress.

Degrees Offered

The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology graduate program is designed to provide doctoral (Ph.D.) level training.  In certain circumstances, students may be admitted as M.S. candidates.  The M.S. degree is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D. program.

Students who are admitted to the Ph.D. program and who later wish to transfer to the M.S. program must make the transfer concomitant with selection of a major professor (before the start of the second year).  Students will be financially responsible for their education after the transfer.  Transfers after the first year require approval of the BCB Supervisory Committee.

Students who are admitted to the M.S. program and who wish to transfer to the Ph.D. degree program in BCB may request to do so.   Applications for transfer are judged on the basis of the same criteria as new applications for direct admission to the Ph.D. program.   Students who wish to enter the Ph.D. program in BCB after completion of the M.S. degree in BCB must reapply to the program.   Such applications are judged on the basis of the same criteria as new applications to the BCB Ph.D. program.

Academic Calendar

The BCB graduate program is a year-round program that includes Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.  Students are expected to be registered and to participate in research and courses twelve months per year.  A rotating student may take vacation with the approval of his or her temporary advisor and by notifying the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program assistant. Each student must obtain the required approval and notify the BCB office prior to travel,in order to avoid potential interruption of graduate assistantship support and/or visa problems. See Leave in the Benefits section of this Handbook for information regarding vacation.

Research Expectations

BCB students are trained to develop an independent and creative approach to science through an integrated curriculum and interdisciplinary research projects in the fields of bioinformatics, computational biology, and biological statistics.

Advanced degrees in BCB require that a student’s research project be interdisciplinary, including both biological and quantitative/computational components.  The POS committee is responsible for determining whether a student’s research project meets this condition.

The Ph.D. dissertation must: "demonstrate conclusively the ability of the author to conceive, design, conduct, and interpret independent, original, and creative research. It must attempt to describe significant original contributions to the advancement of knowledge and must demonstrate the ability to organize, analyze, and interpret data. … Dissertation research should be worthy of publication and should appear in appropriate professional journals or in book form. … Since satisfactory completion of the thesis or dissertation can constitute one of the most gratifying experiences in graduate study, the document should reflect the highest standards of scholarship, serving as a measure of quality for the student, major professor, and the program." (from the ISU Graduate College Handbook.)

In BCB, the Ph.D. thesis is generally expected to include approximately three published or publishable original manuscripts.  For additional details, see Writing the Thesis in the Progressing Through the Degree Program section of this Handbook.

The Ph.D. and M.S. degrees are usually completed in five and two years, respectively.

Prerequisite Undergraduate Coursework and Required Background Coursework

The foundation disciplines for BCB are genetics, molecular biology, mathematics, computer science, statistics and physics.   Students entering the BCB program are expected to have a strong undergraduate background in at least one of these disciplines and additional coursework in another.

The following tables summarize the three areas in which BCB majors must demonstrate basic competence.  Students are strongly encouraged to take courses equivalent to the ISU courses listed under Course Prerequisites for Admission to BCB prior to enrollment in the BCB program, but will have the opportunity to make up deficiencies during the first year of BCB graduate training. Courses listed under BCB Background Coursework Requirements are prerequisites for BCB core courses. These background courses should be completed either prior to admission or during the first year of BCB graduate training. The temporary advisor or major professor helps each student determine whether additional courses are needed.  The student’s POS committee will evaluate competence in the three background areas during the student’s second Annual POS Committee meeting.

Required Core Courses

• at least one core course in molecular genetics
• at least one core course in computational biology
  (BCB majors are encouraged to take both BCB 548 and BCB 594)

Core courses in molecular genetics:

Gen 411 or 511 – Molecular Genetics (3 cr.)  (Spring)  The principles of molecular genetics: gene structure and function at the molecular level, including regulation of gene expression, genetic rearrangement, and the organization of genetic information in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.  (An equivalent or more advanced course may be substituted with approval of student’s POS Committee.)

Core courses in computational biology:

BCB 548. Fundamental Algorithms in Computational Biology (Same as Com S 548, Gen 548.) (3 cr) (Fall) Prereq: Com S 311 and some knowledge of programming. Introduction, design and analysis of fundamental algorithms and methods for molecular biology. Topics include pair wise sequence alignment, alignment heuristics, biological database and retrieval systems, multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic trees, physical mapping, genome rearrangements, DNA–chips, fragment assembly, protein folding, and genetic networks

BCB 594. Computational Molecular Biology (Same as Com S 594, Gen 594, Math 594.) (3 cr.) (Spring) Prereq: BCB 484, BCB 495, Stat 432 or equiv. courses and programming experience (C, C++, or Perl). State–of–the–art introduction to bioinformatics with emphasis on concepts and principles, combined with hands–on (keyboard) applications. Topics typically include: molecular databases, score–based sequence analysis, amino acid substitution scoring matrices, query search problems, dynamic programming and other methods for pair wise sequence alignment, motif identification, multiple sequence alignment, construction of phylogenetic trees from sequence data, gene structure prediction, protein structure prediction.

Advanced Group Requirements

In addition to the two core courses, students must complete at least twelve credits of advanced coursework.  In general, these should include at least six credits from Category I (Molecular Biology) and at least six credits from either Category II (Computer Science) or Category III (Mathematics/Statistics), i.e., six credits in one of the two areas.  The table below provides a list of some of the courses that can be used to fulfill this depth requirement.  Credits for a course listed in more than one category may be used to fulfill requirements in only one of the categories.  Not all the listed courses are suited to all programs of study.  Students should consult with their POS committees to determine which courses are most appropriate.  Please note:  with POS committee approval, courses not listed may also fulfill the Advanced Group Requirements.  Check BCB Courses on the BCB website for new course offerings and updated course lists.

Required Seminars and Activities

Workshops and Symposia

• BCB 593 (formerly BCB 591) – Workshop in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.  (1 cr. each time taken)  (Fall, Spring, Summer)  Current topics in bioinformatics and computational biology research.  Lectures by off–campus experts.  Students read background literature, attend preparatory seminars, attend all lectures and meet with lecturers.

Seminars

• BCB 690 – Student Seminar.  (1 cr.) (Spring)   Students present an account of their annual research progress to peers and to two faculty mentors who promote group discussions of experimental procedures and analysis.
• BCB 691 – Faculty Research Seminar.  (1 cr.)  (Fall) BCB faculty members present summaries of current research in their groups.

In addition, BCB students are expected to participate in a seminar series in their home department and to make an oral presentation (either in a research seminar or journal club) at least once each year.

Scientific Ethics and Good Science and Bioethics Training

All BCB majors are required to attend the Scientific Ethics Workshop, which is part of new student orientation each Fall semester.  In this workshop, students are introduced to the concepts of ethical behavior and good practice in science.  Discussion includes proper research methods, ways to avoid self–deception in the practice of science, and scientific misconduct.

In addition to attending the Scientific Ethics Workshop, BCB students are required to take BCB–approved bioethics courses or course modules.  Students seeking M.S. degrees are required to take at least one BCB–approved bioethics course/module (0.5 credit minimum).  Ph.D. students are required to take at least two bioethics modules or another BCB–approved bioethics course (1 credit minimum).  The required sessions in general scientific ethics offered during Fall orientation (above) do not count toward this bioethics course requirement.  Students supported by special training grants may have additional bioethics training requirements.

BCB–approved bioethics courses include:

BCB 565 – Professional Practice in the Life Sciences (usually offered Spring)

• A.  Professional Practices in Research
• B.  Intellectual Property and Industrial Interactions
• C.  Life Science Ethics
• D.  Ethics in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetic Resource Conservation

Please see BCB Courses (www.bcb.iastate.edu/courses/BCBcourses.html) on the BCB website for additional information.

Language Requirements

Language requirements are determined by the student’s Program of Study Committee.

Graduate English Requirements for Nonnative Speakers of English

Graduate students whose native language is not English and who do not have a bachelor's degree from ISU must take the English Placement Test at the beginning of their first semester of enrollment.  This test is administered by the Department of English.  It must be taken in addition to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), which is required as part of the admissions process.  A student who does not pass this examination is assigned to one or more courses in the English 101 series.  This coursework must be completed during the first year of study.

Graduate students whose native language is not English but who have undergraduate degrees from ISU must take the Graduate English Examination for International Students, also administered by the Department of English, at the beginning of their first semester of graduate work.   Students who do not pass this test must complete English 101D during their first year of study.

Teaching Requirements

Teaching requirements are determined by the home department.  All graduate students are encouraged to participate in teaching seminars and obtain teaching experience as part of their training.

Testing of Nonnative Speaking Students Who Teach

SPEAK/TEACH testing is required of graduate students who fit both of the following categories:

• those who are not native speakers of American English (i.e., learned another language first), and
• those who are to be appointed to or considered for teaching assistantships, or who will have some teaching responsibilities even if they are not teaching assistants (TAs).

The SPEAK/TEACH tests of oral proficiency are given before the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters.  Department offices have a schedule of SPEAK/TEACH testing dates.  Registration for the test is held the day before the test is administered.  Complete information about the SPEAK/TEACH program can be found at www.grad–college.iastate.edu/speakteach.   Questions about SPEAK/TEACH testing should be directed to the SPEAK/TEACH office, 201 Lab of Mechanics, 515–294–1958, 515–294–7996 or itas@iastate.edu.

A prospective teaching assistant who does not pass these tests is required to successfully complete coursework and be retested.  (This coursework can be completed during the semester the student is teaching.) Sections of University Studies 180 are designed to help new teaching assistants.  These courses focus on pronunciation, listening, question handling, teaching and lecturing skills, and an introduction to the culture of U.S. university life.  Because enrollment in University Studies 180 is restricted, TAs must register for the course by obtaining an add slip from the SPEAK/TEACH Office, 201 Lab of Mechanics.

Additional Research Training Opportunities

Participation in International Scientific Conferences and Symposia
Attendance and presentation of research results at professional meetings are an essential part of the BCB graduate training program.   Students should attend at least one national or international meeting during their degree program.  All BCB students are eligible for financial assistance from the BCB program (as well as from other ISU sources) for conference–related expenses.  For additional information, see Grants for Professional Travel in Section VII. Financial Matters.

Internships
BCB students are encouraged to participate in industrial internships as part of their training for careers in industry, government or the public sector.  One such internship typically available is through the Pioneer Hi–Bred International Graduate Research Fellowship.   Pioneer Fellows intern at Pioneer Hi–Bred for eight weeks during the summer of their first year of support.  Additional internships in subsequent years can be arranged between the student and Pioneer.  Formal agreements with other internship partners (e.g., NewLink Genetics) are currently under development.  For additional information, please refer to the BCB website.

International Experiences
BCB students also are encouraged to enrich their educational experience and establish international contacts by participating in international research experiences.  The BCB program currently has working relationships with four institutions (three in Europe and one in China) with which international training experiences can be arranged.  For additional information, please refer to the BCB website.

Summary of BCB Requirements for Ph.D. and M.S. Degrees

Graduate Minor

A graduate minor in BCB requires:

• completion of BCB 548 or BCB 594 (3 credits);
• demonstration of competence in the three categories of required background coursework (Mathematics and Statistics, Molecular Genetics,Computer Science);
• completion of a total of 2 credits in BCB Workshops, Faculty Seminars and Student Seminars; and
• completion of at least 9 credits in courses listed under BCB Advanced Group Requirements, including at least 6 credits from one subject area and 3 credits from another area.  The Program of Study Committee must approve the selected courses.

In addition:

• the planned POS must be reviewed by the BCB Chair prior to POS committee approval;
• at least one member of the POS committee must be a BCB faculty member; and
• application for minor must be made prior to PhD preliminary examination.

Co-major or Concurrent Degree Requirements

Students who are admitted to the BCB program as co-major or concurrent degree candidates must fulfill the requirements of the BCB program in addition to those of the co- or concurrent degree program.  See the Graduate College Handbook for additional information.

Summary of First Year Course Requirements for BCB Majors

All first–year Ph.D. and M.S. degree candidates must:

• take courses to complete BCB Background Coursework Requirements
• take the required BCB core courses:
  

  Gen 411 or Gen 511 - Molecular Genetics (or equivalent)
  and
  BCB 594 - Computational Molecular Biology
  and/or
  BCB 548 - Fundamental Algorithms in Computational Biology

• attend BCB 691 - BCB Faculty Research Seminar (Fall);
• participate in BCB 690 - BCB Student Research Seminar (Spring);
• participate in BCB 594 – BCB Workshop (Fall or Spring), and
• participate in Fall Scientific Ethics Workshop and take courses to fulfill the BCB Bioethics training requirement

After the First Year

• Students should register for BCB 699 - Research(rather than BCB 697 – Research Rotation) every semester.  Number of credits for BCB 699 will vary depending on other courses taken; students should register for a total of 12 credits every Fall and Spring semester, and a total of 6 credits every Summer semester.
• Students should register for courses to complete Advanced Group Requirements, following the recommendations of their major and co-major professors and POS committee.
• Students should refer to the Summary of BCB Requirements (above) for specific credit hour requirements for seminars, workshops, etc.

Sample Programs for First- and Second–year BCB PhD Students

For students with prior training in biological sciences (with mathematics through calculus, but limited computer programming experience)