Orientation

IBS Orientation begins the first Monday in August and is designed to give incoming IBS students a thorough introduction and good start to their graduate careers.  IBS Orientation includes a business day with workshops on payroll issues, on how to access the Student Health Service, Student Insurance, and a tour of the new student fitness center, the Johnson Center.  The academic day includes workshops on what to expect in grad school, how to use the electronic collections in the Medical Center and University libraries, and how to negotiate the issues related to lab rotations – selecting a rotation mentor, defining expectations for a rotation, keeping good research records and research integrity.  The safety day includes all the required safety workshops.

Each of the doctoral programs also hosts a one-day workshop to showcase their research programs and introduce their faculty and students to the incoming IBS students.  These occur on campus and off and include lots of time for serious and not-so-serious socializing. 

IBS Orientation is also time to interview with faculty prior to selecting the first rotation lab.  Often, interviews are stretched over two or three sessions and include visits with lab members, as well as with the principal investigator or PI (the faculty member who heads the lab).  IBS students are required to interview with faculty in at least three departments to ensure that they explore how their own interests are expressed across different disciplines.  However, IBS students may choose to rotate in only one department or in as many as four departments, depending on their interests.

Directions and Parking