IGP Training Program
The IGP program provides students with their first year of graduate training in biomedical sciences at Vanderbilt University.
In their first semester, students take
- core coursework covering the current state of key biological concepts
- biostatistics and Python programming
- a primary scientific literature reading and discussion course
- a weekly session on various topics including responsible conduct of research, wellness, and professional development
In the second semester students take
- specialized electives of their choosing
- continue a weekly session on various topics including responsible conduct of research, wellness, and professional development
- continue developing quantitative skills
Research Rotations
The most important element in any scientific Ph.D. program is research training.
- Students rotate four participating laboratories across the partnering programs. You may access additional information about these programs and departments, and faculty by clicking the links to the right. A list of BRET training faculty can be found here; while the faculty accepting students changes year to year, you can use this list to see what types of research our faculty are doing.
- At the end of the IGP year, students select a training program in one of the participating departments or programs and the student enters one of the departmental or program Ph.D. programs.
One of the greatest benefits of the IGP is the flexibility it offers. New graduate students have nine months to solidify their core knowledge and to explore their interests in multiple areas before selecting a thesis advisor. The comprehensive nature of the IGP often leads students to explore departments they hadn’t considered previously. Moreover, research faculty commonly have appointments in more than one department, and the flexibility of the first IGP year allows students to determine which specific department most suits their individual interests and career goals.