Curriculum
Ph.D. Program
During the fall semester of Year 1, all new graduate students in the biomedical sciences graduate programs matriculate in a common interdisciplinary core curriculum. This integrated first semester allows students to build competence in key areas of contemporary science, gain exposure to the various training program options, meet potential thesis advisors, and form social connections with each other before having to select an advisor, training program, or research specialization. Thus, the first semester of the Ph.D. program is both undifferentiated and integrated to provide maximum flexibility. During this first semester, students are also doing laboratory rotations to gauge reciprocal interests in potential mentors and their work.
At the end of the first semester of Year 1, students select one of the program tracks for their advanced graduate training and enroll for the second (Spring) semester in coursework customized for that program. There is also the possibility that a student, with agreement from their selected mentor, can join a laboratory at the beginning of the first semester in Year 1.
Ph.D. training typically takes 4 to 5 years to complete. Stipend support and tuition waivers are provided for the duration of this training.
1st Year
First Semester (Fall)
- Foundations for Contemporary Biomedical Research 1
- Foundations for Contemporary Biomedical Research 1
- Scientific Integrity
- Biomedical Lab Experience (Laboratory Rotations)
- Cellular Methods
Second Semester (Spring)
- Scientific Rigor and Ethics
- Graduate Physiology and Pharmacology (PSIO751)
- Research
- Journal Club
- Seminar
Summer 1 and 2
- Scientific Writing
- Research
2nd Year
First Semester (Fall)
- Graduate Physiology and Pharmacology (PSIO750)
- Journal Club
- Seminar
- Research
Second Semester (Spring)
- Journal Club
- Seminar
- Research
- Electives*
*Our program requires 6 hours of advanced course work beyond the above-listed program requirements.
The Biomedical Sciences program also requires students to enroll in, and engage in, Experiential Learning for Biomedical Trainees.
Students in our program will continue to enroll in journal club, seminar, and research for all remaining semesters during the pursuit of their Ph.D. To maintain status as a full time student, 9 hours are required for the fall and spring and 6 hours for the summer.
M.S. and M.D./Ph.D. Options
The Health Sciences Office of Research and Graduate Education administers M.S. and M.D/Ph.D programs. More detailed information can be found here: