PhD Program Guidelines

All research and educational activities (including group meetings, course work, and seminars) are conducted exclusively in English.Hence, effective communication using written and verbal English is a prerequisite for admission.

1) Selecting a Thesis Research Advisor
Entering students with a strong desire to pursue their thesis in a specific research group should contact the group leader directly. Upon mutual agreement with the advisor, their thesis research can begin immediately upon arrival to TLL.

Some students may wish to do short rotations in various research groups before choosing a thesis advisor. Students in the rotation program will be provided with a list of participating research groups so they can contact group leaders to schedule rotations. They will arrange to do two or three rotations (each lasting 2 months). Once scheduled, the students must complete all their rotations before selecting a thesis advisor. Students generally choose among the groups where they rotated but it is not a requirement. Assignment to permanent groups is based on mutual agreement between students and prospective advisors.

2) Curriculum of the PhD program

1st to 18th month
The Junior Research Fellow (JRF) is required to attend the following in-house courses and pass all the written examinations:
BL 5220 Advanced Animal Development
BL 5221 Plant & Microbial Development
BL 5222 Cellular Mechanisms
BL 5223 Advanced Molecular Genetics

Upon successful completion of the courses, the JRF will then proceed to register as a Master’s candidate with National University of Singapore (NUS), or the Nanyang Technological University.

19th to 30th month
The JRF will be given 12 months (from the point of Master’s candidature registration with NUS) to pass a Qualifying Examination. Based on his research work, the JRF must write up an original PhD research proposal for the thesis topic and defend it in the Qualifying Examination. A Qualifying Examination Committee that comprises 3 members exclusive of the JRF’s supervisor will judge the student. The Committee will examine the JRF’s proposal for originality, creativity as well as situational background knowledge and preparation to carry out the proposed research.

After passing the Qualifying Examination, the JRF will then apply to NUS for a transfer to PhD candidature.

31st month and beyond
The JRF is expected to carry out research and write a thesis on his/her research. He/she is expected to have periodical consultations with a Thesis Committee (usually the same composition as the Qualifying Committee). At least 2 Committee reviews will be held at yearly intervals. The JRF must publish at least one first authored international publication in a recognised international scientific journal but must first seek permission from the Thesis Committee before submission to ensure the journal meets the required standards. The JRF will then proceed with the thesis writing in accordance to NUS’ guidelines before final submission to NUS.

3) Mentoring
TLL strives to maintain a training environment of the highest caliber. Part of the institutional commitment to our students is the mentoring program. Although the primary mentor is always the thesis advisor, students might sometimes wish to seek additional guidance. On such occasions, students are encouraged to approach any member of the TLL Graduate Committee for general scientific and curriculum advice. This role of the Graduate Committee is particularly important for rotating students. Students should seek this assistance from their PhD Thesis Committee, once it has been formed.

TLL recognizes that some individuals can encounter problems they cannot solve on their own (conflicts, personal challenges, etc.). Although such situations are rare, our students can be assured that TLL is ready to offer support. Students requiring assistance should first approach the Chair of the Graduate Committee. In most cases, the Chair will work directly with the student to provide guidance and explore possible solutions. Depending on the complexity of the matter, the Chair may choose to form an ad hoc committee with members of the Graduate Committee.