Dissertation

Every student in the program writes an original research thesis. Before you can work full time on your dissertation research, you must (1) pass the Written and Oral Qualifying Exams, and (2) form a thesis committee and write a thesis proposal. In the early stages, a Proposal Advisory Committee (PAC) will help you define a dissertation project, leading to the Thesis Proposal.

  1. Research laboratory and thesis supervisor

    • The first step towards a doctoral thesis is to find a research lab and identify a thesis supervisor. The lab visits organized in HST.791 offer an excellent introduction to the research interests of SHBT faculty members. Research rotations during the first and second academic year (particularly during the summer term) are crucial in helping you decide whether a given lab matches your interests and expectations.
    • Your thesis supervisor is normally a faculty member at Harvard or MIT. In exceptional circumstances, other researchers may be approved to supervise doctoral theses in HST.
    • You should frankly discuss financial support with a potential supervisor before deciding to do your thesis research with that supervisor.
    • You are expected to have identified a thesis supervisor by the end of your second academic year.

  2. Proposal Advisory Committee (PAC)

    • Your proposal advisory committee (PAC) will help you define a thesis topic and, ultimately, prepare a thesis proposal by meeting on a regular basis with faculty members representing a variety of relevant research areas. Your PAC:
      • Will consist of three faculty members, two of whom should be SHBT faculty
      • Is chosen by you and approved by your academic advisor
      • Must be formed no later than the first semester of the third year
      • Meets at least once per semester (excluding summer) until your thesis proposal is completed
      • The meetings are as informal as possible, and do not require substantial student preparation.
    • Naturally, you should choose your PAC based on your research interests. Since your research direction may shift, evolve or grow clearer over time, the composition of your PAC may also evolve. In many cases, the PAC may ultimately evolve into your thesis committee or a subcomponent of it.
    • You do not need to complete the coursework and qualifying exams before you form your committee, but you must complete your exams before your dissertation proposal can be accepted.

  3. Thesis Proposal and Thesis Committee

    • You will form a thesis committee to guide and evaluate your research and, in consultation with your thesis committee, you will prepare a written thesis proposal in the format and size of an NIH research proposal.
    • Your thesis committee must consist of three or more MIT or Harvard faculty members, with at least two from the SHBT program and one from outside of the program.
    • You should choose one member to be the Committee Chair. The Chair must be a faculty member at the degree-granting institution (normally MIT) or a member of the HST faculty. Your Thesis Supervisor cannot serve as Committee Chair.
    • Your proposal must be orally defended before your thesis committee, formally approved by the committee, and accepted by the HST Graduate Committee.
    • Normally, your thesis proposal must be submitted to the Graduate Committee before the end of your 4th academic year.
    • Once your proposal is approved, you must review progress with your thesis committee at least once each academic term.

  4. Dissertation

    • You must defend your dissertation orally in public, and it must be approved by your thesis committee. An announcement for the thesis defense should be made well in advance.

Prospective Students

Current Students