Curriculum

In the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, you will obtain a broad-based foundation in biomedical and biological sciences while participating in cutting-edge research alongside dedicated faculty mentors.

Laboratory Rotations

With our laboratory rotation system, you can explore a variety of disciplines before committing to your specific area of research.

During the first year in the program, you will complete a series of eight-week laboratory rotations during the fall and spring semesters. At the end of the first year, you will choose a rotation laboratory where you will conduct your PhD dissertation research. 

Learn more about our laboratory rotation system

Course Requirements

1st Semester

  • BMS 515LEC Fundamentals of Biomedical Research I, 4 credits
  • BMS 516LEC Fundamentals of Biomedical Research II, 3 credits
  • BMS 514LEC Introduction to Scientific Investigation and Responsible Conduct, 2 credits
  • BMS 509 PhD Program Laboratory Rotation, 4 credits
  • BMS 510 PhD Program Laboratory Rotation, 4 credits

2nd Semester

  • BMS 509 PhD Program Laboratory Rotation, 4 credits
  • BMS 510 PhD Program Laboratory Rotation, 4 credits
  • BMS 511 Fundamentals in Biomedical Sciences - Critiquing Scientific Literature, 1 credit
  • 2 electives from the PPBS curriculum

Electives

You will take two electives in your second semester:

Biochemistry

  • BCH 507 Protein Structure and Function, 2-3 credits
  • BCH 508 Gene Expression, 2 credits
  • BCH 519 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, 3 credits
  • BCH/MIC/GGB 611 Advanced Microbial Genetics, 2 credits

Biomedical Engineering

  • BE 500 Special Topics, 3-4 credits
  • BE 502 Quantitative Analysis in Biomedical Engineering, 3 credits
  • BE 570 Medical Nanotechnology, 3 credits

Biomedical Informatics

  • BMI 502 Biomedical Informatics Application Domains and Ethics, 3 credits
  • BMI 504 Data Analysis, and Research Methods in Biomedical Informatics, 3 credits
  • BMI 521 Logic Programming for Biomedical Informatics, 3 credits

Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics

  • GGB/BCH 519 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, 3 credits
  • GGB 505 Human and Medical Genetics, 3 credits
  • GGB/MIC/BCH 611 Advanced Microbial Genetics, 2 credits

Microbiology and Immunology

  • MIC 512 Fundamentals of Immunology, 2 credits
  • MIC 516 Bacteriology, 2 credits
  • MIC 603 Viruses and Cancer, 2 credits
  • MIC/BCH/GGB 611 Advanced Microbial Genetics, 2 credits

Neuroscience

  • NRS 520 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 4 credits
  • NRS 524 Quantitative Neuroanatomy, 4 credits
  • PMY 516 Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology, 3 credits

Oral Biology

  • ORB 510 Saliva and the Oral Microbiome, 2 credits

Pharmacology

  • PMY 516 Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology, 3 credits

Physiology and Biophysics

  • PGY 505 Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 4 credits
  • PGY 555 Neuroimmunology, 3 credits
  • PGY 607 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease, 3 credits

Structural Biology

  • STB 531 Principals of Protein Production and Analysis, 3 credits
  • STB 535 Structural Pharmacology, 3 credits
  • STB 612 Structural Biology Seminar, 1 credit