For Faculty

Joining the Graduate Faculty All doctoral and postdoctoral training is administered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.  Appointment to the faculty is accompanied by an appointment in the Graduate School for the purpose of mentoring Postdoctoral Trainees.  Appointment to the faculty does not automatically confer the right to train graduate students. 

To be eligible to train graduate students, faculty must apply for and be granted membership in a graduate program.  Faculty may belong to more than one graduate program.  Graduate programs are non-departmental and administered by a Graduate Studies Committee formed from the faculty belonging to the program. 

The Graduate Studies Committee of each program makes membership decisions and proposes appointments to the graduate faculty.  The Graduate Executive Committee, composed of the chairs of all graduate programs on campus, must approve all appointments to the graduate faculty.  Appointment is initially for a term of two years and subsequently for five years.  At the end of each term of appointment, faculty must reapply to their graduate program(s) and provide evidence of active participation.  Organization of the Graduate School The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is organized into a Division of Basic Science (12 Programs and Training Tracks), Division of Applied Science (2 programs), and Division of Clinical Science (4 programs).  Training Tracks are distinct disciplines within a graduate program and have their own course requirements. 

The Division of Basic Sciences admits students into a common first year core curriculum through a central admissions committee and recruitment process.  In the spring of the first year, after completing 3 rotations through different laboratories, students join graduate programs and individual laboratories.  The Graduate School supports students financially prior to their joining research laboratories. 

Graduate programs within the Divisions of Applied and Clinical Sciences administer separate student recruiting and admission processes.  Recruiting Students to Faculty Laboratories Students in the Division of Basic Sciences (DBS) can choose any of the more than 240 laboratories of faculty belonging to programs in the division. 

The most effective way for faculty to meet prospective students is to participate in interviewing students during the admissions process in January through April.  Incoming students often choose their first laboratory rotations with faculty met during the recruiting process. 

First year students in the DBS choose laboratory rotations based upon information provided them by the core course administrators, who maintain a database of faculty research interests and potential rotation projects.  Students also use the Faculty Research Interests website.  Contact Nancy McKinney for information on laboratory rotations. 

UT Southwestern invites summer undergraduate research fellows (SURFs) on campus each summer.  Many of these students apply to our graduate school and some return to the laboratory where they enjoyed a summer research experience.  Students in the Divisions of Applied or Clinical Sciences can chose faculty belonging to their graduate programs, or any other laboratory that is approved by the program.   

Mentoring Responsibilities of Faculty

Faculty are charged with mentoring trainees effectively. Guidelines are summarized in "Expectations for Faculty Who Mentor Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Trainees at UT Southwestern". You may obtain, at no charge, a copy of the short book from the National Academy Press entitled, "Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend" from the Office of the Dean.

Checklist Guide to Help Develop Notebook Policy
Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors
Individual Development Plan for Postdoctoral Trainees
Responsible Conduct of Research Training Moves into Laboratories at UT Southwestern - see page 5 of Office of Research Integrity Newsletter
Three-month Progress Review of Postdoctoral Scholar by Mentor
Topics & Case Studies on Responsible Conduct of Research

Sources of Training Support Trainees are supported by research grants, training grants,individual fellowships, and, in the clinical sciences in some cases, by stipends supporting practical training in a clinical setting. 

Training Grants There are a number of training grants on campus.  Positions on these grants are competitive and awarded by a committee of the training grant faculty.  The Graduate School encourages faculty to apply for additional training support and will aid in the administrative aspects of the application.  For more information contact Terri Ravnik. 

Individual Fellowships There are many competitive individual fellowship opportunities available and faculty are encouraged to have their post- and pre-doctoral trainees apply for these.  The Graduate School will aid trainees in preparing their applications. 
Sources of Research Support UT Southwestern has a number of local, competitive awards programs that support research.   Research Facilities UT Southwestern has core facilities dedicated to providing the latest equipment and knowledge necessary to assist all UT Southwestern researchers as well as advanced technology resources available through collaborations.   Resources Adobe Creative Suite 2 - Free of Charge
Career Services for Your Trainees
Office of Grants Management
Postdoctoral Association
Search for Faculty by Research Interests
Software Downloads   
Student Directory
Video Recordings Provided by Southwestern Graduate School  
Web Resources for Faculty at UT Southwestern

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