Genetic Counseling students are not required to attend all GSBS orientation sessions. The following sessions are required. 

Monday, August 23
Sign-In
Welcome & Introductions
Finance Group B

Tuesday, August 24
Mentoring Up

Wednesday, August 25
None

Thursday, August 26
Lab Safety
Student Wellness

Friday, August 27
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
GSA Event
Lunch
Student Groups

                                                                                                                                                                                    Last updated 7/28/2021

Not all GSBS orientation sessions are required for incoming Medical Physics students. The Medical Physics program will host additional sessions during the week. 

                                                                                                                                                                                    Last updated 8/17/2021

Some sessions are not required for students enrolling in the MS program in Biomedical Sciences. The following sessions are required, but MS students are welcome to attend any session. 

Monday, August 23
Welcome & Introductions
Academic Overview - MS students
OIA (required for international students only)
Finance 

Tuesday, August 24
Mentoring Up
Presidents' Research Scholars Symposium
MS Student Panel

Wednesday, August 25
Choosing A Mentor Panel

Thursday, August 26
Lab Safety Training
Student Wellness

Friday, August 27
Career Development - MS Students
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

                                                                                                                                                                          Last updated 7/26/2021

Not all sessions are required for MD/PhD students, although you are welcome to attend any session. Please plan to attend the following sessions.

Monday, August 23
Welcome/Introductions
Academic overview PhD
MD/PhD Career & Fellowships Session 

Tuesday, August 24
Mentoring Up
Presidents' Research Symposium

Wednesday, August 25
Research Advising
Choosing a Mentor Panel

Thursday, August 26
Lab Safety
Student Wellness

Friday, August 27
Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

                                                                                                                                                                          Last updated 8/2/2021

All entering PhD Biomedical Sciences students are required to attend at least two program sessions during Orientation. Program sessions are optional for MS and MD/PhD students. Please register here by Monday, August 9.

Links to virtual sessions will be posted in Canvas.

Tuesday, August 24 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)

Genetics & Epigenetics Please join us for the Genetics & Epigenetics (G&E) program information session Tuesday afternoon! You’ll learn about the breadth of research in our program labs – from cancer genetics, human genetics, and developmental genetics to epigenetics and genome maintenance & repair – and meet our faculty and students. We’ll have a variety of activities, including a program overview from the Director, flash talks from faculty, a student Q&A panel, and informal small group “table topic” discussions with students and faculty on how to succeed in graduate school, program research areas, and living in Houston. 

Neuroscience Please join us for the Neuroscience Program orientation session! Following a brief welcome and overview, we will conduct lab tours. Then our faculty/current students will host “speed networking” where you will get a chance to chat with each program participant, then move to the next table for another interactive conversation. Boxed meals provided after the session. We look forward to meeting you! 

Wednesday, August 25 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)

Cancer Biology Please join us for the Cancer Biology Program Orientation Session! You will learn about our CB program and all the amazing opportunities that we offer in our labs. You will hear an overview from our Program Directors and other faculty members of the Steering Committee. Secondly, you will get the opportunity to talk with faculty regarding their research in a speed networking session. Current Students will also be available for speed networking so that you can ask them about anything you would like to learn about the program. 

Microbiology & Infectious Diseases The Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (MID) Program Session will begin with a welcome from the Program Director and Co-Director followed by guided lab tours.  Current MID students will lead you through the tour where you get an opportunity to see state-of-art lab equipment in use. Following the tour, will be an MID program poster session where you can meet additional MID faculty and students to obtain more information on our program and overall graduate life. 

Thursday, August 26 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)

Quantitative Sciences Please join us for our Quantitative Sciences Program Orientation Event! The QS Program Directors will start off presenting an overview to give you an idea of all the opportunities that our QS program has to offer. Next, you will learn more about our faculty and current students with a quick clue game. You will also get the opportunity to meet program faculty and hear about the exciting projects and opportunities in their labs. Current QS students will be available for a Q&A session to answer all of your burning questions. 

Therapeutics & Pharmacology Please join the Therapeutics and Pharmacology (TAP) Program for an afternoon of fun and scientific enlightenment. Session participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet faculty via a fun game of video trivia, and interact with program students during a session of Q&A. 
 

Friday, August 27 (2:30-4:30 p.m.)

Biochemistry & Cell Biology You are cordially invited to join the Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BCB) orientation session - we look forward to meeting you! After a brief introduction, our faculty and current students will host “speed networking” where you will get a chance to chat with each program participant, then move to the next table for another interactive conversation. Boxed meals will be provided after the session. (MSB B100 and Leather Lounge)

Immunology Are you interested in Immunology? Join us Friday, August 27th, for the opportunity to network with our students and faculty. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss projects related to microbial resistance, ROS, Kras-mutant lung adenocarcinoma, flow cytometry, cell sorting, neutrophil turnover, and immune cell metabolic reprogramming. Program students will also be available to discuss their research, life as a GSBS student, and adapting to life as a Houstonian. 

Last updated 8/17/2021

Fall Semester

• Tutorial Research Experience (First Rotation)
• Foundations of Biomedical Research* (Core Course)
• The Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences

Spring Semester

• Tutorial Research Experience X2 (Second and Third Rotations)
• Graduate Program Coursework

End of Spring Semester

• Identify a Research Advisor (PhD Mentor)
• Join a Program

Summer Semester

• Form Advisory Committee

PhD Tutorial Dates

• September 20 - December 10
• January 3 - March 4
• March 7 - May 13

*Exceptions are made for PhD students in the following areas:

• Medical Physics (students do not take the Core Course but follow the Medical Physics curriculum)
• Neuroscience (Core Course is optional - discuss with Dr. Qingchun Tong)
• Quantitative/Computational Students (students have the option to take Foundations of Biomedical Research for Quantitative Students with permission from Office of Academic Affairs)

International Students

Due to recent events, we understand that international students may have questions and concerns about their visa application process. At this time, we are moving forward with our normal onboarding process. Questions about specific visa processes should be addressed to the Office of International Affairs.

We recommend international students arrive in Houston two weeks prior to Orientation to allow ample time for all required paperwork to be completed. For Fall 2021, the recommended arrival date is August 9.

• International students are required to check in with the Office of International Affairs (OIA)  UTHealth prior to the start of Orientation. While we recommend you arrive in Houston two weeks before orientation, you should plan to arrive in the US in plenty of time to check in with OIA by the end of business (5 p.m. Central Time) on August 20, 2021. You must schedule an appointment in advance in order to check in with OIA. Please contact Oscar once you have confirmed your OIA appointment date and time. Failure to check in with OIA prior to Orientation may cause a delay in payment of stipend (if applicable). 
• International students who will be performing rotations at MD Anderson must also check in with the MD Anderson Visa and Immigration Service Administration (VISA) office. You will receive instructions from GSBS Finance when it is time for you to check in with the MD Anderson VISA office.
• Students who earn degrees from international universities are to required have their transcripts evaluated by an outside agency to ensure that the degree is, at least, equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree. This general evaluation is due August 1, 2021. 
• International students entering GSBS who do not have a degree from a university in the United States are required to take an English assessment exam. Students with degrees from U.S. universities are encouraged to attend the assessment. 
• International students are required to pay a per-semester evacuation/repatriation fee. This fee will be reflected in your account statement after you register, and will not be covered by GSBS or your mentor. The fee for Fall 2021 semester is $32.

GSBS International Student Association (ISA)

• ISA Guide to Houston
• ISA Quick Guide to Administrative Steps 

NOTE: Use of any Computing and Information Technology Resources on campus falls under the following policies. 

Network Accounts comprised of a User ID, password and email address allow GSBS students to login to the following resources:

• Computers in the GSBS Computer Lab and other UTHealth campus locations
• Send and receive email
• Secure UTHealth Wi-Fi Access Points (UTHSC)
• myUTH: my.uth.tmc.edu
• Canvas: www.uth.edu/canvas
• myGSBS: https://go.uth.edu/myGSBS 
• UTHealth Intranet: inside.uth.edu

How do I get my network account? Your network account will be activated when the IDM hold in your student record in ApplyUTH or myUTH is cleared.

The IDM hold is a "soft" hold and will not prevent registration. This hold should be one of the last holds you should clear.

STEP 1. Clear your IDM (Identity Management) Hold. Email Michael Valladolid, GSBS IT Director, to schedule an identity verification appointment either in person or online through WebEx to clear this hold. Present a current (not expired) state or federal issued photo ID - Drivers License, Passport. 

STEP 2. You will be asked to provide a recovery email address, so make sure you have continued access to it. This email address can be used to reset your UTHealth password if you forget it. Your UTHealth User ID, email address and password recovery web link will be emailed to this address.

STEP 3. Enroll in Two-Factor Authentication 

Recover your password here.

Two-Factor Authentication (you must enroll to access myUTH, Webmail and Employee Self Service outside the UTHealth network and VPN)

Two-factor authentication, also known as two-step authentication, adds an additional layer of assurance onto your normal login process.  This is done by both verifying something you know, such as a password, and something you have, such as a phone.

You must first enroll your phone by following these instructions.  Once enrolled, you will then be able to use your phone as a second factor for applications that require two-factor authentication. You may enroll any type of phone.  However, we highly recommend enrolling your smartphone with the optional smartphone app.

On Campus Registration

1. Connect to the UTHealth network using the secure Wifi Access Point UTHSCH or use a computer in the GSBS Computer Lab S3.8112
2. Access our Two-Factor Login page.
3. Log in with your existing UTHealth credentials.
4. If you have never enrolled, you will be prompted to enroll with enrollment instructions for your device.

Directions and Maps

Primary Location: The George and Cynthia Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building (BSRB/Mitchell Building) located at 6767 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030. The nearest parking location is TMC Garage 15 (The Commons Garage) at 6550 Bertner Avenue.

• Onstead Auditorium - BSRB S3.8012; includes The Forum (foyer to Onstead)
• GSBS Administrative Offices
• GSBS Large Classroom - BSRB S3.8371
• GSBS Small Classroom - BSRB S3.8367
• GSBS Computer Lab - BSRB S3.8112

Other Notable Locations: 

MSB: UT Medical School Building (6431 Fannin) 

UTPB: UT Professional Building (6410 Fannin) 

PAT:  Pickens Academic Tower [Room numbers begin with FCT] (1400 Pressler)

UCT: University Center Tower (7000 Fannin)

SCRB: South Campus Research Building (7435 Fannin)

UTHealth Building Addresses & Map

MD Anderson Cancer Center Campus