Seminars: Two different seminar series are sponsored by the CBTP.

(1) The Program sponsors and co-sponsors research seminars by invited speakers from other institutions on subjects related to biotechnology. These seminars are usually integrated with departmental seminar series. (2) Students in CBTP sponsor a forum, inviting two outside speakers whose work addresses similar questions from distinctly different points of view. It is designed to provide a working example of how researchers in different disciplines approach the same problem. As hosts, the students spend a significant amount of time with speakers, including dinners and lunches. This event not only allows the students an opportunity to choose speakers that they specifically would like to hear, but also contributes to the cohesiveness of the Program.

Industry and Academia Research Forum: Beginning in 2007, the Program will also hold an Industry and Academia Research Forum in the fall, in which research groups of CBTP and affiliated industry partners will gather to present and discuss ongoing research projects of their labs. This should provide new mechanisms for arranging collaborations and internships.

Core Course: Besides the course work required by their primary academic unit, CBTP students take Cellular Biotechnology 504. This winter term course is taught by faculty in the Program and by experts from industry. The course is cross-listed in several departments associated with CBTP.

Symposium: CBTP sponsors a symposium in the spring of each year, attended by all members of the program. The event starts in the afternoon with a poster session, followed by dinner and a presentation by a speaker from industry. The symposium is held on campus, usually at the Michigan League.

Activities for Students: Students must complete the courses required by the Department in which they are enrolled. Students admitted to CBTP are selected for their interest in biotechnology; therefore, their course selection in their respective departments usually meets the requirements of CBTP. In addition to the departmental requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students in CBTP are required to complete courses in cellular biotechnology and in the responsible conduct of research, to attend the monthly meetings, and to participate in all other events sponsored by the program.

Industrial Component: All students in the Program are required to establish some type of meaningful contact with industry. For most this has meant an industrial internship, in which the student spends a substantial amount of time in an industrial setting. A genuine commitment to experiencing industry-based biotechnology research is necessary for admission into the program.
Industry affiliates participate in program activities at several levels, including presentations at seminars and the Cellular Biotechnology course, attendance at the Annual Symposium and sponsorship or hosting of student internships.

Monthly Meeting: Students in the first three years of the Program are required to attend the monthly student dinner meetings. These meetings consist of student presentations about thesis-related research followed by discussions, which the students describe as active and engaging.

Scientific Meetings: With support from the Rackham Graduate School and the NIH training grant, CBTP provides funds for travel by students to scientific meetings, with special consideration given to those students who give presentations.

Certificate: Students who have successfully completed the full Program offered by CBTP can receive with their Ph.D. degree an official recognition of this achievement from the University of Michigan in the form of a Certificate in Cellular Biotechnology. The Certificate Award was developed by the Rackham Graduate School as a mechanism for recognizing the academic achievements of graduate students who have completed extended training beyond their basic area of interest.