Graduate training in the OOA

Introductory phase

• introduction to isotope handling techniques, and to house rules pertaining to safe handling of isotopes
• as above, for handling of experimental animals
• radiation protection course (advanced level; where applicable)
• animal experimentation course (advanced level; where applicable)
• lecture course experimental oncology

Course work

Students are encouraged to participate in suitable courses, offered by organizations such as EMBO, FEBS and others, for which financial support is available. Advanced lecture courses are given by OOA staff, and cover specialty topics in depth. Each student attends two weeks of courses per year. A choice is offered of at least four different courses a year, see course program .

Note: In principle only OOA graduate students are allowed to participate in the courses. However, when enough place is available, also graduate students from outside the OOA are allowed to enroll in the courses.

Practical instruction

For each PhD student, an advisory committee is instituted; this committee advises each individual student as to the most appropriate courses. Together with the PhD student and his/her formal adviser the committee monitors the progress that is made in the experimental work of the student. The advisory committee can be consulted as needed during the entire training period. The wide range of expertise available in the OOA allows a tailor-made training program for each individual graduate student. The time spent on training versus actual research in each successive year is in accordance with the accepted Dutch university guidelines.

Retreat

There is a yearly three-day retreat where all graduate students meet, and present their own research.