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Students are expected to participate in the activities of the Graduate Group that are intended to enhance the research environment at Penn. Programs include the Student Science Club, Department seminars, Friday Research Discussions, and journal clubs. Other activities include the annual retreat of the BMB Graduate Group and the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
The University standard for satisfactory academic progress is a 3.0 grade point average. The minimum standard for final course grades in the BMB Graduate Group is a "B". A BMB student who does not achieve the minimum grade for courses will be referred to the Biomedical Graduate Studies Academic Standards Committee. The Academic Standards Committee will, in concert with the Academic Review Committee's recommendations, impose sanctions such as academic probation. In addition, the student's Academic Review Committee may also impose sanctions such as re-taking an examination, re-taking the entire course, continuing course work towards the terminal Master's Degree, or withdrawing from the program. The Academic Review Committee will review each case on an individual basis.
Students who enter the program having taken similar courses at the graduate level at other institutions and received a grade of B or higher may petition the Graduate Group for transfer of credits. The decision to approve transfer of credits will be made in writing by the Academic Review Committee. Up to eight course units may be transferred. Students who have taken graduate courses at Penn through the College of General Studies (CGS) may apply to transfer up to four course units toward the Ph.D. degree. Combined degree students may transfer as many as 12 course units from another Penn professional or graduate program, but are required to take 8 course units of Ph.D. lecture courses and seminars. According to University policy, courses will not be transferred until after a student has completed one academic year of course work in the program. BGS recommends that a student review any courses that may be transferable with the Graduate Group Chair when first entering the program.
University of Pennsylvania students who are currently enrolled in another graduate group within BGS may be considered for transferring into the BMB Graduate Group. Students should express their interest in joining the BMB Graduate Group by writing a letter of intent to the Graduate Group Chair. The student will then meet with the Chair to review his or her academic record and establish a plan for meeting the BMB requirements. The Graduate Group Chair and Academic Review Committee will determine if any remedial actions are required. Students who wish to transfer from graduate groups outside of BGS need to follow the same procedures as regular applicants to the program.
Students are not admitted to the Graduate Group for study towards a Master's degree. However, the Graduate Group may award a terminal Master's degree to students who choose not to continue in the Ph.D. program. In certain instances, the Graduate Group may recommend that a student who has not performed satisfactorily in their course work, Preliminary Examination, or dissertation research leave the program with a terminal Master's degree. The University requires a minimum of 8 course units for the terminal Master's degree. A final paper or master's thesis may also be required, as determined by the Graduate Group Chair and Academic Review Committee.
