Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology
Questions about these requirements? See the contact information at the bottom of the page.
The First Two Years
Coursework
First-year students meet individually with their class advisors to discuss their background and interests, and together they design a course of study to complement the student's existing training.
Students are required to complete a minimum of one elective class in addition to the required courses. This class should be discussed with the advisors to pick the most appropriate selection for their research. Most courses are taken in the G1 or G2 year.
Required Courses
- SSQB200: Modern Systems Biology. This graduate-level course prepares students for research in modern systems biology by providing mathematical foundations and computational tools needed for systems-level understanding. It does so by introducing problems spanning different scales of biological organization, which emphasize different approaches. In taking this course, you will bridge dynamical system modeling, stochastic processes and contemporary computational inference (machine learning) methods.
- SSQB 300: Research Topics in Systems, Synthetic and Quantitative Biology. This is a seminar course with talks on current research topics from individual SSQB faculty. This is a year-long G1 course.
- SSQB 240: Scientific Writing and Analysis. This course trains Systems Biology PhD students in the skills of scientific writing, critical analysis of papers, and research proposal development. Anchored around the Department’s weekly seminar series, the class provides structured opportunities to analyze recent high-impact papers from leading systems biology labs and to practice writing and defending independent research proposals. Students learn to identify the core narrative of a scientific story, evaluate methodological rigor and impact, and formulate creative, testable hypotheses that could serve as the basis for future fellowship and grant applications, and for their qualifying exams. This is taken with SB300 in the G1 year.
- SSQB 250: Synthetic Biology Practicum. This is a quarter course that seeks to apply engineering principles to biological systems in order to solve real-world problems in health, environment, and industry. This design-focused practicum integrates conceptual foundations with practical design exercises using current computational and experimental tools. This is taken in late spring of your G1 year.
- MedSci300qc: Conduct of Science. The course follows a discussion group format in which 8-12 second-year students meet with a faculty member who leads discussions on the ethical and responsible conduct of research. This is taken in the fall of your G2 year.
- SB212: Scientific Presentation. Students will work collaboratively with faculty and one another on critical science communication skills and giving oral presentations.
Rotations
Students in the Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology (SSQB) program are expected to take two to four laboratory rotations before selecting a dissertation advisor. The program does not set strict time limits on rotations, but most are expected to be 4–12 weeks long. Rotations must be with HILS faculty. Students should inform the program coordinator when they begin and complete their rotations through the appropriate channels in my.harvard.
Rotations allow students to explore different research areas, identify potential collaborators, and experience the environment in different research groups. The purpose of the rotation is to facilitate the choice of the dissertation laboratory, not to accomplish a research project.
First-year students must choose their dissertation laboratory no later than June 30.
Teaching Requirement
All students are required to teach one term. It is recommended that students complete this requirement by the end of their second year. Students must inform the program coordinator of the class they will TF for.
Qualifying Examination
The purpose of the examination is to ensure that the student is prepared to embark on dissertation research. The PQE must be completed by the end of April of the student’s second year. Students will prepare and defend an original research proposal related to the student’s proposed dissertation research.
Students are in charge of assembling their PQE committee and coordinating the date. There will be a meeting in November/December prior to the spring of their PQE with the advisor(s) to discuss best practices.
Students should meet with their advisor and the program coordinator to select appropriate committee members. Finalized committee membership must be sent to the program coordinator. The committee should include one of the directors of graduate studies (DGs) and two other faculty members. All committee members must be Harvard faculty, with at least two-thirds being SSQB faculty.
All PQE materials should be sent to committee members at least one week in advance. Students should schedule the PQE for two hours, with the first hour devoted to the presentation and the second hour for discussion and debrief.
If a PQE is failed, students are allowed one reexamination within three months of the first attempt.
Master’s in Passing
Students may apply for a master’s in passing after completing the following:
- all required rotations;
- at least three months of research in the dissertation advisor’s laboratory;
- a passing PQE; and
- a satisfactory grade point average.
Advising
Academic Advisors
On arrival, each class of students is assigned a faculty advisor(s) to guide them in their choices of courses and rotations. The class advisors will also lead a week-long orientation for incoming students at the end of August.
Dissertation Advisory Committee
After passing the qualifying exam, a dissertation advisory committee (DAC) of at least three faculty members and the student’s dissertation advisor or advisors must be appointed.
The role of the DAC is to assist the student in defining the dissertation project; review scientific progress; offer critical evaluation; suggest extensions or modifications of objectives; arbitrate differences of opinion between the student and advisor, if they arise; and determine when the work accomplished constitutes a dissertation.
The first DAC meeting must occur within six months of the PQE. The DAC must meet with the student at least once a year through G5 and every six months thereafter, until PhD dissertation writing is underway.
Dissertation
The DAC, in consultation with the dissertation advisor, determines when it is time for a student to stop laboratory work and begin to write their dissertation.
The FAS registrar specifies deadlines by which the dissertation must be submitted and the dissertation examination passed to receive the PhD diploma in November, March, or May of each academic year. A dissertation information packet will be sent to the student and specifies the steps to be taken when the student is ready to apply for the PhD degree and the various forms that need to be submitted. The information packet will be thoroughly reviewed with the student by the program coordinator.
The student is expected to give a seminar of approximately one hour as part of the examination, on the day of the examination, prior to a defense of the dissertation with the examination committee.