Year One Fall courses include:

• Biomedical Science
• Biostatistics
• Laboratory Rotation
• Responsible Conduct of Research
• Introduction to Journal Club

Year One Spring courses include:

• Biomedical Science
• Laboratory Rotation
• Introduction to Journal Club II

Year Two Fall courses include:

• Independent Research
• Journal Club in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
• Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative, Biology Work-in-Progress
• Embryos, Genes and Development
• Department of Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute Seminar

Year Two Spring courses include:

• Independent Research
• Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology
• Department of Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute Seminar
• Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative, Biology Work-in-Progress
• Journal Club in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology

Two advanced courses in developmental and stem cell biology are offered for students in the Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells training area starting with the second year. The two courses are held in the fall semester, alternating each year:

• Embryos, Genes, and Development
• This course provides a thorough introduction to invertebrate and vertebrate development emphasizing cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms. The course will focus primarily on development of fruit flies, Xenopus, zebrafish, and mice. Emphasis will be on understanding fundamental embryological processes such as induction, determination, and pattern formation. Current technologies such as transgenic animals, genetics, mosaic analysis, homologous recombination, somatic cell genetics, and classical embryonic manipulations will be analyzed. Selected topics include developmental genetics of regulatory hierarchies, lateral inhibition, regeneration and development, cell lineage analysis, X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting, and sex determination. Following introductory lectures, the course will focus on primary literature detailing the current state of the field using journal club presentation (by students). Course exercises include student-led literature discussions; grant proposals, reviews, and study sections; a manuscript review-based editorial board session, and a science policy workshop session. The final exam will consist of grant proposals by the students to be reviewed by other students in a study section-type arrangement.
• Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
• Course Directors: Robert Krauss and Margaret Baron
• Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology is an advanced course covering embryonic, induced pluripotent, and several different types of adult stem cells. The course combines lectures by several BFSCI and/or CDRB faculty who are experts in diverse stem cell fields and student presentations of the primary literature. In doing so, students will gain insight into the roles of various stem cell types in development, regeneration, and diseases; currently used techniques for analysis of stem cells; and both historical perspectives and current concepts in the field.

Students in the Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells training area must complete at least two rotations before choosing a preceptor from the training area faculty. Students are required to choose a preceptor by the beginning of the second year. In addition to the Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells curriculum, students must pass a thesis proposal exam by the end of the fourth semester as described in the Student Handbook.

As the thesis project approaches completion, students meet with their preceptors and advisory committees to decide whether suitable work has been completed to proceed with the preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense. If approval is granted, the preceptors guide students regarding the dissertation preparation and the presentation of thesis work in an open seminar-format, which is followed by a closed-format thesis defense.

Students are expected to participate in the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute Seminar Series. This series brings leading researchers to Icahn Mount Sinai to present their latest research. In addition to attending the seminars, students have the opportunity to meet with speakers as part of a student group.

Finally, students in the Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells training area may elect to attend and present their work in either the Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Work-in-Progress series or the Black Family Stem Cell Institute Work-in-Progress series. These forums provide students with opportunities to present their research to other Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cells students and postdoctoral fellows. All students are required to present in one of these Work-in-Progress series annually.