Policy on Credit for Prior Courses

Decided at GSAC Meeting October 30, 2012

(see agenda and online discussion prompt for more background information)

Decision. At the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies, credit toward the course requirements for a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology may be awarded for one course completed prior to entry into BBSP. The following constraints apply:

· This policy applies to regular Ph.D. students, not M.D./Ph.D. students or students who transfer from another Ph.D. program.

· The course must have been completed within the two years prior to entering BBSP.

· Credit will not be given for a course used for credit toward another degree (i.e., no double-counting).

· The course must be a graduate level course that is plausibly relevant to a degree in Microbiology & Immunology.

Implications. BBSP students typically take four courses in their first year, prior to joining the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, and very rarely take more than one seminar/tutorial course during their first year. Between taking the MCRO795 research proposal development course and completing the two seminar/tutorial requirement in the second year, it is anticipated that Microbiology & Immunology Ph.D. students will rarely take less than six courses after joining BBSP even if credit is given for a prior course. Two general scenarios in which earning credit for a prior course could make a difference follow:

· A student who is sufficiently advanced to complete both seminar/tutorial courses during their first year could only take MCRO795 in their second year and finish their course requirements with five classes since entering BBSP.

· A student who completes only three courses (including one seminar/tutorial) toward our degree requirement during their first year could take MCRO795 and a second seminar/tutorial in their second year and finish their course requirements with five classes since entering BBSP. Reasons for completing only three courses toward the Ph.D. during the first year might include taking an undergraduate course in an area of weakness (e.g., never had a class in biochemistry as an undergraduate), serving as a Teaching Assistant, or distraction due to a personal crisis.

Last updated 2/3/2025.