The Integrative Training Option (ITO) for earning a Ph.D. in plant biology is the result of special partnerships between the University of Delaware (UD) Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), and DuPont Company. Leading plant scientists from these not-for-profit institute and industrial partners have been awarded adjunct faculty appointments at the University allowing the realization of a new concept in modern graduate education, a graduate program without walls. Students accepted into the program may do laboratory rotations and carry out Ph.D. research in the labs of ITO faculty at TIGR and DuPont or University of Delaware (including the Newark campus, the adjacent Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI), and the College of Marine Studies (CMS) in Lewes, DE). All sites are within a 2-hour drive in the East Coast corridor between Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC. This proximity together with advanced teleconferencing and interactive video capabilities greatly facilitate collaborations, research exchanges, graduate courses, and seminars across the ITO network. All accepted students will receive competitive stipends and matriculate at the University of Delaware. Please note that this is not an internship program. Students have the option to carry out their entire Ph.D. research at the off campus laboratories of adjunct faculty.

How does the program work?

Students apply and are accepted to the ITO program through the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Upon arrival, new Ph.D. students become acquainted with the research programs of ITO faculty in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, the College of Marine Studies, the Institute for Genome Research, and DuPont. Students then choose and carry out up to three rotations with faculty anywhere in the ITO network. These rotations take place during the fall (two rotations, part time for approximately 8 weeks each) and winter (one rotation, full time for approximately one month) terms. Winter term is an excellent time to do off-campus rotations. The purpose of the rotations is to provide students and faculty with the opportunity to assess their compatibility and research interests. This is accomplished by the student’s conducting a short-term research project during each rotation and also participating in other activities of the research group. The Faulty member coordinating the ITO program will serve as the temporary advisor of all students during their rotations. A financial supplement to the regular stipend is provided to defray extra living expenses for students doing lab rotations at TIGR or CMS. Following completion of their rotations, students join a research laboratory and the faculty member leading that laboratory becomes the student’s Laboratory Research Advisor. Students may carry out a collaborative Ph.D. project between two research groups and have two Laboratory Research Advisors. Course selection is discussed and customized for each student during meetings of their advisory committee which forms during the first year and includes the student’s research advisor(s) and other UD faculty. Courses may be taken at UD or via interactive video. Interactive video also provides a means for students at TIGR and CMS to participate in departmental seminars, discussion groups and other ITO educational and career development activities. Other programmatic activities such as the Departmental Graduate Student Symposium and retreat bring all students and faculty together at UD several times per year. Thus, students doing research in the ITO network benefit in unique ways through significant and frequent interactions with participants from the University, industry and research institutes.

What are the program requirements for enrolled students?

Students in the ITO program are expected to:

1) develop or have competency in three of the following areas:

• Molecular Genetics/Genomics
• Genetics
• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Computational Biology
• Plant Physiology/ Plant Development

2) participate in laboratory rotations to identify a laboratory for Ph.D. research.

3) maintain satisfactory academic performance (3.0 GPA or better).

4) demonstrate satisfactory research progress.

5) participate in annual advisory committee meetings to evaluate the fulfillment of requirements 1-4 and other University and Departmental requirements.

What are the course requirements?

Formal course requirements for ITO students are flexible and tailored to background and goals of each student. Students are expected to enroll in one to two courses per semester for the first two years of the program, and potential choices are listed below. In addition, students are expected to attend Departmental and other seminars as appropriate.

Sample course listings: