Program Overview

Introduction to the Tetrad Program

The Tetrad graduate program at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is designed to prepare students to pose and address fundamental research problems in modern biology. The program values curiosity-driven research that investigates challenging questions in life sciences, conducted in a collegial and scientifically rigorous manner.

Program Overview

The Tetrad program places special emphasis on modern approaches within three core and interrelated areas:

• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Cell biology
• Genetics

The program was among the first graduate programs nationwide to break down barriers between disciplines, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary research remaining a guiding principle. The program fosters a strong sense of community and interactions among students and the program's cadre of internationally recognized scientists.

Program Activities

Program activities include:

• An annual retreat held in Lake Tahoe
• A weekly seminar program featuring top scientists from around the world
• Multiple other activities that provide student/faculty interactions in both formal and informal settings

Admission and Requirements

All Tetrad graduate students go through the same admission process, take the same classes, and have the same requirements. Depending on the specific aspects of their thesis work, their PhD degree will be in one of the indicated areas.

Faculty and Affiliations

Over 120 faculty members are associated with the Tetrad program, representing all of the basic science departments of UCSF, numerous research centers, and clinical departments. Tetrad is a member of the Program in Biological Sciences (PIBS) at UCSF.

Program Administration

The Tetrad program is offered by the UCSF Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Scholars, administered by the UCSF Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and delivered by faculty members in the UCSF schools of dentistry, medicine, and pharmacy.

Program Location

The Tetrad program office is located at the Mission Bay campus, though some classes and labs affiliated with the program are at the Parnassus campus as well.

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The Tetrad program is part of the broader Doctor of Philosophy Degree offerings at UCSF, which includes various fields such as:

• Bioengineering
• Biological and Medical Informatics
• Biomedical Sciences Program
• Biophysics
• Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• Computational Precision Health
• Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
• Epidemiology & Translational Science
• Global Health Sciences PhD
• History of Health Sciences PhD
• Medical Anthropology
• Neuroscience
• Nursing PhD
• Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics
• Rehabilitation Science
• Sociology
• Tetrad

Conclusion

The Tetrad program at UCSF offers a unique and interdisciplinary approach to graduate education in the life sciences, emphasizing curiosity-driven research, community, and interactions among students and faculty. With its strong faculty and affiliations, the program provides students with a comprehensive and rigorous education in modern biology.