Each semester the CMB Program offers a “Short Course” entitled Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology. The course is a mini-symposium composed of a series of 4-5 presentations over several weeks on a specific thematic topic. The topic and speakers are selected by CMB student volunteers. Leading investigators in the field are invited by students to visit the University as symposium speakers. These courses enable students to obtain intensive exposure to high-profile research areas, and to have opportunities to interact with the speakers in multiple contexts, including formal discussions, informal meals, chalk talks, and one-to-one meetings (particularly if they are hosting the speaker). Such interactions have helped some senior CMB students find excellent postdoctoral labs.

The sessions are open to the University community, and attract large audiences who attend for updates on state-of-the-art research.