BIG Curriculum

Academic Structure

Courses and Rotations:

Students will take courses as scheduled in the BIG track Course Requirements.
In the first year, students will rotate in at least two laboratories.
Prior to each rotation, students submit the rotation registration.
After each rotation, faculty submit the rotation evaluation.
After choosing a dissertation advisor, students submit the Dissertation Advisor Declaration in my.harvard.

Student Advising:

Each student has a BIG faculty program advisor with whom they will meet regularly throughout her/his time in graduate school. A meeting for course selection with the program advisor will be required at the beginning of each semester, until replaced by the thesis advisor when chosen after the first year.

Teaching Requirement:

Each student is expected to serve as a Teaching Fellow (TF) for one 4-credit course or two, 2-credit DBMI course(s) or a non-DBMI course requirement in the BIG program. There is also an option to do education outreach opportunities.  

Qualifying Exam (PQE):

Students take and pass the Preliminary Qualifying Examination (PQE) by January 31 of the G2 year. See PQE Guidelines to begin the process.

Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC):

At least one member of the BIG faculty will serve on each student's DAC. Please refer to the Dissertation Advisory Committee Guidelines  for more information. Each time the student meets with the committee, the faculty must submit the Dissertation Advisory Committee Report to the BIG program.