XI. Financial Aid

Depending upon the type of research being carried out, and a reasonable timeframe for completion, students can defend a thesis that may take the following forms: 1. Two first author publications (thematically linked), one accepted and one submitted 2. A body of work that will form the basis of two thematically linked, first author publications 3. A body of work based on a single substantial project that will form the basis of a first author publication, and where the student has demonstrated the acquisition of advanced skills and research expertise within their field of study (new thesis criterion).

Students are required to give a public presentation of their work (i.e., oral thesis defense). Approval of the thesis and oral thesis defense by the student’s thesis committee is a requirement for completing the program.

The thesis requirements must be completed under the direct supervision of a thesis committee, consisting of the primary mentor, one external content member (i.e. someone who is not in the student’s primary laboratory and who is not directly involved in the student’s research) and a MMSCI program representative. The names and contact information for the thesis committee members must be approved by the program director prior to the commencement of the mentored research experience.

The thesis committee is required to meet four times throughout the two-year program, with the final meeting consisting of the public oral thesis defense. The student is responsible for coordinating each progress meeting and for submitting a progress report to the program director after the completion of each meeting. The presence of an additional external expert in the student’s area of research is required at the public oral thesis defense.

Upon completion of the oral thesis defense and approval of the thesis, the student is required to upload a pdf of the thesis on the Harvard University ProQuest database via the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation platform.

D. Requirements for graduation

Satisfactory completion of all required courses and any elective courses and successful completion of the thesis and oral thesis defense are required for graduation. A degree will not be granted to a student who is not in good standing or against whom a disciplinary charge is pending. In addition, a student’s term bill must be paid in full before the student will be awarded the degree.

In addition, to award the degree on the basis of thesis a student should complete the following:

I. A proposal to defend a thesis based on a substantial single project should be discussed at the 2nd thesis committee meeting (May of Year 1). The student will need to petition MMSCI leadership with a request to pursue this option. The student will need to schedule by no later than Sep 1 an additional ad hoc review committee meeting that comprises a member of the program leadership team, the mentor, program rep and content mentor and discusses the rationale of a single publication. The ad hoc review committee will make a recommendation to the broader program leadership on whether a single publication and/or body of work formatted as a publication is acceptable or if a second project will be needed. II. During thesis defense, the thesis committee and external independent review expert will assess: a. The factors listed above (A-D) to adjudicate if the body of work is sufficient to merit the degree b. If the quality and quantity of work presented represents an acceptable standard for four semesters of full-time mentored research.

XI. Advising

The Program Directors, Curriculum Fellow, Faculty Mentors, and Program Manager are available to students for advising and guidance. The Program Directors serve as academic advisors for each student in the program. In this capacity, the Program Directors, Director of Mentoring provide the student with guidance in the program, solicit feedback from the student, and provide the student with research and career counseling. The following timeline outlines the opportunities for formal and informal advising of students from the program perspective.

Pre-admission:

Following a provisional acceptance, students work with the Program Directors, Director of Mentoring, and program representatives to find suitable mentors. This involves the student identifying an area of interest, potential HMS-affiliated research groups working in this area, and submission of a preference list to the MMSCI program. The program then makes first contact with potential mentors to determine their interest in having a student. During the admission process the student discusses and decides which track (TI or CI) is best suited to their long-term educational goals and objectives.

On arrival:

Program Directors, Director of Mentoring, program representatives and relevant faculty are available on an as needed basis to facilitate the student’s introduction to the HMS environment. We organize several social events during this critical period of settling in. Furthermore, we actively engage alumni of the program to meet with new students. The Director of Mentoring outlines expectations to new students and mentors for the overall program, with delivery of a formal mentoring packet to each mentor, which includes the requirement for regular thesis committee meetings and the final thesis guidelines.

Fall Semester:

For those in the CI track, the student meets the Program Directors, and Director of Mentoring to consider which pathway (Clinical Trials or Comparative Research) is best suited to their long-term educational goals and objectives.

Thesis committee meetings:

There are four thesis committee meetings throughout the program, with the final meeting consisting of the oral thesis defense. Following each meeting, the student submits a progress report that is reviewed by the Director of Mentoring and discussed with the MMSCI program representative. Formal and informal progress meetings are held to help guide each student towards successful completion of the mentored research experience.

Formal Annual Reviews:

Each year the Director of Mentoring and Program Director’s meet with every student to review their progress, provide feedback from an academic perspective, and to obtain feedback from the students in relation to program activities.

Ad hoc meetings:

Examples may include a student who seeks permission to cross-register for another course, or to seek an excused absence from class. Program leadership members are also available to meet for any additional issues or advice on an as needed basis.

XII. Financial Aid

Program applicants are encouraged to apply for external grants and fellowships whenever possible. MMSCI has limited scholarship resources available through discretionary resources. Application for program scholarship support is made directly to the program director.

Students who are enrolled at least half-time may be eligible for other federal or private aid. See Section 5.08 for additional financial aid information.