The “IIIème Cycle Romand en sciences biologiques” organises seminars and practical courses for the PhD students attached to the universities of Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel, the ISREC or the EPFL. Its activities are planned by the scientific committee of the “IIIème Cycle Romand en sciences biologiques”, which itself is subdivided into three subcommittees, the subcommittee of plant biology, of animal biology and of biochemistry & biomedicine. Practical courses are usually organised in one of the participating universities, whereas theoretical courses (lecture cycles, minisymposia, and seminars) of variable length may also be held in some mountain resort. Most activities are organised by the subcommittees and are of particular interest for students doing their thesis in a related field. However, at least one seminar per year is organised as a common activity by the central committee and its theme is chosen such as to be of general interest and to cover an emerging topic of importance for the whole scientific community and in particular for any student doing a PhD in biology and biochemistry/biomedicine, regardless of his speciality. One aim of these seminars, presently held in Villars-sur-Ollon, is to bring students into close contact with internationally renowned speakers, many of which come from overseas, and to give students a chance to learn, how to interact. A further aim is to bring to the forefront the social, economical and ethical considerations, which may be influenced by or may direct fundamental research. All courses of the IIIème Cycle Romand are open to all students affiliated to any of the above mentioned universities/institutions.

The organizers of the post-graduate education program in biological sciences hope that this brochure will help to get you interested in the activities of the IIIème Cycle.

In the name of the organizers I invite you to actively participate in these activities.

J.-P. Métraux, President