The MCO program provides an invaluable opportunity for graduate students to observe and participate in a variety of laboratory environments. MCO G1 students carry out three different lab rotation projects during the first year with program faculty. Following the three intense eight-week rotation periods, students will select a suitable home lab by the end of May of the spring term.
The rotations will expose students to a wide range of research concepts, techniques, and model systems. Additionally, they offer networking opportunities and serve to introduce G1 MCO graduate students into our extended scientific community. The ultimate goal of making the rotation period intense and immersive is to help students succeed in finding a PhD lab that is right for them and in which they will thrive scientifically in the years ahead.
Finding a Lab Rotation
Opportunities to explore potential lab rotations include:
- Attending presentations by program faculty during orientation and lab open houses during the fall or meeting lab members during the MCO Departmental Retreat
- Meeting with the Directors of Graduate Studies at the beginning of September
- Scheduling individual meetings with prospective faculty mentors