项目介绍

2021年7月29日

About the course

The joint Skaggs-Oxford Programme permits highly qualified students to gain a broader and deeper interdisciplinary research experience than is possible from a single institution’s doctoral programme. It provides diversity in curriculum, scientific approaches and research training, with access to facilities and expertise at both Oxford and Scripps. It also offers the experience of the distinct cultures of the United States and Britain.

You can choose from a wide range of research areas covered by the Department of Biochemistry at Oxford and Departments of Chemistry, Immunology and Microbiology, Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Molecular Medicine, and Neuroscience at Scripps Research.

Research areas include: ageing, cancer biology, cell biology, chemical biology, chromosome biology, chemical synthesis, drug discovery and vaccine design, epigenetics, host-pathogen interactions, infectious diseases (such as HIV, Ebola and Zika), innate and responsive immune systems, medicinal chemistry, membrane proteins, neural stem cell behaviour and development of the brain and sensory organs, ion channels and transporters, and RNA biology.

Whilst working on your research project you will participate in a comprehensive, flexible skills training programme which includes a range of workshops and seminars in transferable skills, generic research skills and specific research techniques. There are also numerous seminars and lectures by local and visiting scientists and you are provided with many opportunities to meet leading scientists.

The Skaggs-Oxford Programme is a joint five-year programme in biology or chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, and biochemistry at the University of Oxford, leading to the award of a joint PhD/DPhil degree. You will undertake an induction session at Scripps Research and thereafter have the option of beginning the full programme of study either at Oxford or at Scripps. You will be required to carry out research for a minimum of two years at Oxford.

Supervision

For this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Department of Biochemistry and Scripps Research. Please note that it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

Information about Oxford supervisors connected with this course can also be found at the Department of Biochemistry website. You will typically meet with your supervisor on a weekly or fortnightly basis. In addition, your supervisor may appoint a senior member of the laboratory as your day-to-day supervisor. Most laboratories also have weekly meetings where members present and discuss their results with other members of the laboratory.

Assessment

If you begin your programme of study at Scripps Research, you will be required to undertake a sequence of taught coursework in connection with your proposed field of research, unless you are granted an exemption in recognition of study and examinations previously undertaken. Courses are graded based on written assignments and a final written exam.

You will begin your course as a probationary research student (PRS). If you begin your programme of study at Oxford, you will apply to transfer to DPhil (PhD) status near the end of your first year, whereas, if you start at Scripps, you will typically do this near the end of your second year. Your application will involve you writing a research report and statement of future research plans. This will be assessed by two independent experts, who interview you as part of the process. Continuation in the programme is subject to passing the Transfer of Status exam.

After three years of study you will need to apply formally to confirm your DPhil (PhD) status. This involves writing a short progress report and thesis outline and giving a presentation. The application is assessed by two experts. Continuation in the programme is subject to successfully completing the Confirmation of Status.

The final stage of the research programme is submission of your DPhil thesis, which needs to be done within five years. Your thesis is assessed by two independent experts (one from Oxford and one who is external to the University of Oxford and Scripps Research) and your Thesis Committee at Scripps Research, who conduct a viva examination with you.
Successful candidates are awarded a degree certificate from Scripps Research and the University of Oxford. They are invited to attend ceremonies at both institutions.

Graduate destinations

The majority of alumni go on to pursue a career within academic or industrial research.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

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