IS-05 PhD TRAINING: NEW PROSPECTS

What is a PhD?

This might seem like an unusual topic, as most scientists seem to know exactly what a PhD is and for what it stands. But on closer inspection, a PhD has as many meanings as there are educational systems. It is not—and has never been—a single, well-defined qualification. As research practices and funding change, the situation becomes even more confused, with consequences for the quality of both ...

New Prospects

A new PhD training track: a proposal to improve basic science teaching.

There has been increasing criticism of medical basic science teaching; much of this has focused on overcrowding of the curriculum, inadequate application to clinical medicine, and the limited commitment of the faculty to teach. We have analyzed some of the factors that may contribute to these complaints, such as the fragmentation of physiology and the conflicting roles of the medical basic scie...

Prospects for new vaccines.

Use of a Grant Writing Class in Training PhD Students.

A well-written application for funding in support of basic biological or biomedical research or individual training fellowship requires that the author perform several functions well. They must (i) identify an important topic, (ii) provide a brief but persuasive introduction to highlight its significance, (iii) identify one or two key questions that if answered would impact the field, (iv) pres...