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Clusters in Life and Biomedical Sciences 

During their first year, students in the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences program (IBiS) and the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences (DGP) explore research areas through courses and lab rotations. Once settled in a thesis lab, students select a research cluster at the beginning of their second year. The clusters bring together students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty from across Northwestern’s two campuses and hospital affiliates for a unique and innovative experience that includes courses, seminar and lecture series, skill-building and other research and professional development opportunities.   

Students will participate in cluster programs during the remainder of their Northwestern experience. The richness of faculty from multiple disciplines within each cluster fosters an unparalleled learning environment for students in life and biomedical sciences. 

Students select coursework related to the cluster in consultation with the academic and research advisors. Students must fulfill all the requirements of their doctoral program, but in addition are credentialed in the topical area of the cluster. 

Life and biomedical sciences clusters