# Orientation ### Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB)! Our 2025 orientation will be held during the week of August 25th. Take a look at the [**Harvard Griffin GSAS Academic Calendar**](https://registrar.fas.harvard.edu/calendars) for an overview of what to expect in your first year as a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard. For information on what to expect as a CCB graduate student, check out our [**Graduate Student Guide**](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/pages/information-current-students), which offers information on course requirements, lab rotations, financial support, and more. ## **Courses** During orientation, you will meet with a member of the Curriculum Advising Committee (CAC), which advises students on their academic plans, approves required courses, and assists in decisions related to the PhD program. Meeting with a CAC member is the first step to determining your fall course load, which typically includes two to three courses (two of which are the required courses Chem 300, a research course representing your rotations, and Chem 301hf, a course on teaching). Take a look at our [course requirements page](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/course-requirements) for more information. To be considered an active student at the beginning of each term, you must **complete your online check-in** for the fall term at [**my.harvard.edu**](http://my.harvard.edu/). The 2025 check-in deadline is September 2nd. **Register for courses** at [**my.harvard.edu**](https://my.harvard.edu/). The deadline for 2025 fall course registration is September 2nd (for incoming students). Once your curriculum advisor approves your course selections, the CCB Director's Office will approve your courses. ## **Lab Rotation Program** You are required to join a lab by June 30 of your first year as a Ph.D. candidate. The Lab Rotation Program helps you determine the lab that best fits your research and career goals. Contact [**Kathy Oakley**](http://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/kathy-oakley) with any questions about lab rotations. ## **Laptop/Research Allowance** Incoming graduate students have the option to receive an allowance for either (1) the purchase of a computer and/or research-related software OR (2) the cost of attending one research-related conference. These funds are available until the end of your G4 year. Funds may only be used in one category. This one-time allowance is limited to $1,500 (effective 2023-24 AY), and receipts are required. To qualify, please submit a [**Laptop/Research Allowance Form**](/file_url/3203) to [**Kathy Oakley**](http://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/kathy-oakley)**.** ## **Stipend and Tuition** The Department will send you a financial support letter individually with full details of your financial support package. Your tuition, student health fee, and student health insurance plan will be paid by the Department and/or any external fellowships. If you receive term bills in the summer that do not reflect these payments, you do not need to make any payments. Please alert [**Joe Lavin**](http://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/joseph-lavin) if you have any external fellowships. ## Graduate Program Contacts [**Professor Ted Betley**](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/theodore-betley)**, Director of Graduate Studies** [**Joseph Lavin**](/people/joseph-lavin)**, Co-Director of Graduate Studies** [**Joshua Cox**](https://www.chemistry.harvard.edu/people/joshua-cox)**, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies** [**Kathy Oakley**](/people/kathy-oakley)**, Graduate Program Administrator** ## Quick links [**Harvard Griffin GSAS Orientation Info**](https://gsas.harvard.edu/admitted-students/first-weeks-harvard) [**Harvard Griffin GSAS Academic Calendar**](https://gsas.harvard.edu/policy/academic-calendar-2023-2024) [**CCB Graduate Student Guide**](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/pages/information-current-students) [**CCB Graduate Course Requirements**](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/course-requirements) [**My.Harvard.Edu** ](https://my.harvard.edu/) [**CCB G1 Registration Directions**](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/2025-08/Registering%20for%20Classes-G1%20Info%202025_0.pdf "2025 Registering for Classes_pdf") **[GRADUATE STUDENT GUIDE](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/pages/information-current-students)** - **[CHECK-IN & COURSE REGISTRATION](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/check-course-registration)** - **[COURSE REQUIREMENTS](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/course-requirements)** - **[LAB ROTATIONS](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/lab-rotations)** - **[FINANCIAL SUPPORT](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/financial-support)** - **[SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/supplemental-funding)** - **[TEACHING](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/teaching)** - **[GRADUATE ADVISING COMMITTEE](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/graduate-advising-committee-gac)** - **[DISSERTATION](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/dissertation)** - **[MASTER OF ARTS](https://chemistry.harvard.edu/master-arts)** ## Orientation Forms [**Lab Rotation Information Form**](/resource/rotation-form-2025-0 "Rotation Form 2025") [**Group Selection Form**](/resource/new-grp-join-2025-26 "New Grp Join 2025-26") [**CCB Laptop/Research Allowance Form**](/file_url/3203) [**Plan of Study**](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/2025-08/PLAN%20OF%20STUDY%202025.pdf "Plan of Study 2025")